or d i nati o n s DEACON PAUL SAPPINGTON grew up in Peculiar, one of six children. Homeschooled through grade 8, he then attended and graduated from Raymore-Peculiar (Ray-Pec) High School. Looking back on his childhood and teenage years, he recalled, “We were certainly Catholic and believed in God; and while never missing a Sunday Mass, much of our time was spent playing sports. I do think my parents did a fantastic job balancing not ignoring the world and not ignoring the Church.”
ORDAINING men of faith
Deacon Paul Sappington to be ordained a priest June 25 By Marty Denzer
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Catholic Key • June/July 2022 • catholickey.org
Paul graduated from Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, with a degree in electrical engineering, then worked at Burns & McDonnell in Kansas City for about a year. He also became active in City on a Hill, Kansas City’s young adult community. “I heard a call to the priesthood just a few months after graduation, and City on a Hill was ‘I hope to helpful in confirming me in the decontinually give my cision to take the next step and enter life over to God …’ seminary,” Paul said. Having to decide whether to go on a field assignment to upstate New York or begin studying for the priesthood, he asked to speak with Bishop James Johnston, as he too had been an electrical engineer before he entered the seminary. “That conversation provided clarity and a new perspective on the situation that was a great help to me,” Paul recalled. Decision made: he entered the seminary. Now, “I am in my fourth year at the North American College (NAC) in Rome, and I attend classes at the Gregorian University, where I study spiritual theology. My first three years, while still living at the NAC, I attended classes at Santa Croce (Holy Cross University), where I graduated with a bachelor’s in sacred theology.” He expects to return home by mid-June. Paul believes his family is excited for him to be ordained. “They have been a great support to me before and during my time in seminary, and my grandma is especially thrilled for me to be ordained.” Father Adam Johnson, director of the Office of Priestly Vocations, said, “Paul Sappington is a great guy, a good athlete. I’m confident he’ll be a good, faith-filled priest!” Paul is looking forward to saying his first Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes in Harrisonville, his home parish. When asked about his hopes or dreams as a priest, Paul said, “I do not have any career goals or aspirations in that sense as a priest. I hope to continually give my life over to God to be his instrument in bringing people into his kingdom. Whatever way God wills for that to take place, I hope to be available.” He concluded with gratitude for the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. “I’m grateful to the diocese for all of their support throughout my time in seminary, and I am looking forward to serving the diocese as a priest.” The public is invited to attend as Deacon Paul is ordained a priest at 10 a.m., June 25, 2022, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
