OUR NEW PRIESTS

I’m originally from St. Philomena Parish. However, I didn’t grow up Catholic, and came into the Church at Sacred Heart Church in Camp Washington, while I was in college at Xavier University. Having the opportunity to serve on parish internship at St. Columbkille in Wilmington gave me a home there, as well. I’ve been truly blessed with three “home parishes” and three strong communities supporting my priestly vocation.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST DISCERN YOUR VOCATION? When I was instructed in the faith before being received into the Church, I was powerfully struck by the beauty of the Catholic priesthood. Furthermore, I was part of a small group of Catholic men at Xavier. All these men were – at one point or another – in the discernment process, and took both their faith and their vocations seriously. Only a few weeks after I was received into the Church, I was overwhelmed with the desire to serve our Lord as His priest. Years later, that desire has remained.

WHO HAS BEEN A MENTOR FOR YOU? My older brother, Henry, has been a great mentor throughout my conversion and discernment. He is a convert, as well, (received into the Church two years before me) and he influenced both my conversion and my decision to apply to seminary. By God’s providence, we will both be ordained this spring – he for the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Cincinnati, and me for the archdiocese.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST ABOUT BEING A PRIEST? Saying Mass is first on the list, of course. Though constantly feeling unworthy, I am still very excited to pronounce the words at which the Word becomes flesh. I also look forward to being a confessor. I have so often received mercy through that sacrament, that I long to share it with others.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE DEVOTIONS OR PRAYERS? The Litany of the Sacred Heart is among my favorites: it is a reminder of the love Christ poured out of His opened side on the Cross, a love that continues to nourish the Church with an overflowing torrent of grace.

WHAT’S A HOBBY OR ACTIVITY YOU ENJOY? I enjoy outdoor activities, especially hunting, fishing and backpacking.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE FAITHFUL OF OUR ARCHDIOCESE? Although there are many reasons for disappointment, both in the Church and in the world, we can constantly return to our baptisms as a source of joy. Whatever happens to us, nothing can undo the mark God has laid on us, the love by which He has made us His children. The joy stemming from that assurance should be enough to light the world on fire.

Aaron Hess

I grew up in the northern part of the archdiocese, rural Mercer County. My home parish is St. Mary in Philothea. I am the oldest of four, with two brothers and a sister.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST DISCERN YOUR VOCATION? There were hints growing up that I was thinking about the priesthood. I did not seriously consider it until the end of my junior year of high school. Another Hess (no relation!) from my hometown was being ordained, so our youth group took a trip down for the Mass. During the Litany of the Saints, while the men were lying prostrate in the cathedral, I was filled with an overwhelming desire to be where they were, laying down my life for Christ and for His Church.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST ABOUT BEING A PRIEST? To walk with men and women on their journey towards the Lord. To help people realize that, in the midst of their struggles and weaknesses and joys, they are beloved by the Lord, desired by the Lord. All of the sacraments, prayers and teachings of the Church lead the soul to their Maker, their Father, and I am humbled to be able to be an instrument of the Lord in bringing His sons and daughters home.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE DEVOTIONS OR PRAYERS? The Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart devotions have been prevalent in my spiritual life in seminary. As I have gotten closer to ordination, I have also grown deeper in my relationship with St. Joseph. He is a powerful example of fatherhood to all men: courageous and humble, chaste and nurturing, and ever close to his immaculate bride, Mary, and his divine son, Jesus.

WHAT’S A HOBBY OR ACTIVITY YOU ENJOY? I have always been involved in music, particularly keyboard instruments. I was on my high school bowling team and continue to bowl for fun. I have also recently gotten into pyrography, burning designs into pieces of wood.

Michael Kapolka

I grew up in a military family. Both of my parents served in the Air Force, and my dad made a career out of it, so my brother, sister and I moved around quite a bit. When he was assigned to WrightPatterson Air Force Base, we settled in Springboro and became parishioners at St. Mary Parish in Franklin (now St. Mary of the Assumption, Springboro). My parents, now retired, and my sister, a physician at Dayton Children’s Hospital, still attend Mass there. My brother is currently serving in the Space Force in Washington, D.C.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST DISCERN YOUR VOCATION? I first began discerning the priesthood while I was a Sophomore in high school and began taking my Catholic faith more seriously.

WHO HAS BEEN A MENTOR FOR YOU? I have had a number of great mentors along the way. One in particular was my Catholic chaplain, Father Chad Zielinski (now Bishop of Fairbanks), while I was a cadet at the Air Force Academy. During my time there, he deployed to the Middle East and learning about the tremendous sacrifices he made and the ministry of bringing the sacraments to servicemen and women who had no other access was incredibly affecting.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST ABOUT BEING A PRIEST? I am most looking forward to being able to say Mass, bringing our Lord to the faithful through the sacrifice of the altar, as well as to serving them when I receive my first assignment from the archbishop.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE DEVOTIONS OR PRAYERS? Over the years, especially because of my future service as an Air Force chaplain, I have developed a devotion to Servants of God Father Emil Kapaun and Father Vincent Capodanno, both of whom were military chaplains whose causes for canonization are underway.

WHAT’S A HOBBY OR ACTIVITY YOU ENJOY? Years ago, I took up the hobby of repairing vintage mechanical watches. It takes some patience and focus (and often a little frustration), but it is a great way to clear my mind, and they make great personalized gifts.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE FAITHFUL OF OUR ARCHDIOCESE? I would simply express my deep gratitude to all of the faithful who have supported my vocation over the years through their prayers and generosity, and I would ask that they continue to pray for me as I begin priestly ministry.

Anthony Marcelli

I am from the east side of Cincinnati, a little town called Amelia. I grew up in a strong German-Italian, Catholic family and am one of seven kids: five girls and two boys – perilously outnumbered! I have a very tight-knit family. My grandparents live next door, as well as my two sets of aunts and uncles. We love big family gettogethers! My home parish is St. Bernadette in Amelia.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST DISCERN YOUR VOCATION? I first began thinking about becoming a priest during my high school years as I started taking my faith and life more seriously. I also wanted to be a paramedic, but upon seeing a video of a priest anointing a dying woman in a hospital, I knew God wanted me to dedicate my life to the salvation of souls. Also, as my devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament deepened, so did my calling to the priesthood. I decided to attend Franciscan University for college and entered the seminary after graduation in 2016.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST ABOUT BEING A PRIEST? Celebrating Mass and anointing the sick.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE DEVOTIONS OR PRAYERS? I have a devotion to Our Lady and the Divine Mercy.

WHAT’S A HOBBY OR ACTIVITY YOU ENJOY? I love hiking, cooking, ping-pong and board games!

ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE FAITHFUL OF OUR ARCHDIOCESE? Thank you for all of your prayers and support. I am so blessed to serve our archdiocese!

Scott Morgan

I was raised in Corbin, KY, and moved to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in 2015. My home parish is Immaculate Heart of Mary in Anderson Township. I have three younger sisters. I converted to Catholicism in 2009 when I was in mortuary school, and was a funeral director prior to entering seminary, I am still the only Catholic in my family.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST DISCERN YOUR VOCATION? It wasn’t long after I entered the Church in 2009 that I began to think God was calling me to something more. The more I entered into the faith, the more I experienced a pull toward the seminary. I formally began seminary in 2011.

WHO HAS BEEN A MENTOR FOR YOU? When I came to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, I was already a seminarian, and Father Kyle Schnippel was the first priest I lived with in the archdiocese. Throughout the years he has been a mentor and support for me.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST ABOUT BEING A PRIEST? Other that ordination itself, and celebrating the sacraments, I am perhaps most excited to be back in the parish and being able to minister to the people.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE DEVOTIONS OR PRAYERS? I am particularly devoted to Our Lady Undoer of Knots, St. Jose Maria Escriva and St. John Neumann. Some of my favorite and most frequent prayers are the Prayer to St. Michael, the Litany of Trust and the Prayer to the Shoulder Wound of Christ.

WHAT’S A HOBBY OR ACTIVITY YOU ENJOY? Music has been a large part of my life, and is something I thoroughly enjoy. When I can, I like to go to the symphony and enjoy listening to music in my free time. I also love to cook and spend some time in the kitchen whenever I can.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE FAITHFUL OF OUR ARCHDIOCESE? I look forward to being able to serve the faithful of our archdiocese as a priest. Please pray for my classmates and me as we continue to prepare for our ordination in May. I wanted to be a paramedic, but upon seeing a video of a priest anointing a dying woman in a hospital, I knew God wanted me to dedicate my life to the salvation of souls.

Elijah Puthoff

I grew up near Russia, OH, a small town north of Dayton. I was the fifth of eight children, and my family was very devoted to their faith growing up, stemming primarily from my parents’ great commitment. My home parish is St. Remy in Russia

WHEN DID YOU FIRST DISCERN YOUR VOCATION? I had thoughts about being a priest when I was young, even early in elementary school. I really started to consider priesthood in high school though, and it was my intention to enter seminary right after I graduated.

WHO HAS BEEN A MENTOR FOR YOU? In my early days, a very important priestly influence and mentor for me was Father Frank Amberger. He was a great witness of a priest with great reverence for the faith and sacraments, but also pastoral care for his people.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST ABOUT BEING A PRIEST? I am most looking forward to celebrating the sacraments as a priest. It will be a great joy to bring Christ to the people of God through them.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE DEVOTIONS OR PRAYERS? I’ve always had a devotion to St. Maximilian Kolbe. His story of persecution in World War II struck me, and it was through him that my devotion to the Blessed Mother was deepened.

WHAT’S A HOBBY OR ACTIVITY YOU ENJOY? I enjoy playing most sports, but especially golf and basketball. I also love opportunities to play board games and card games with family and friends.

I have lived in Hamilton, OH, for most of my life on my family’s farm. My home parish is St. Ann in Hamilton. I grew in a farming family. My father is a full time farmer and my mom homeschooled my brothers, sisters and me all the way up through high school. I studied aviation maintenance in college and worked in that field until I entered seminary.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST DISCERN YOUR VOCATION? I did not hear God calling me to the priesthood until later in life, after I was in college. I worked for several more years until I decided to enter college seminary at the Josephinum in Columbus.

WHO HAS BEEN A MENTOR FOR YOU? I have had many mentors in my discernment of the priesthood. My uncle is a priest for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Having him around as I was growing up played a big part in my discernment and I am very thankful for his support of my vocation. I am especially thankful for the pastors of my home parish, as well as the pastor and priests of my internship parishes. I have several friends who are priests who have helped me greatly along the way. I would say my biggest mentors have been my parents, who have shown me the example of living out of their vocation to married life faithfully.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST ABOUT BEING A PRIEST? I look forward to helping people grow closer to our Lord through the sacraments, especially confession and the Eucharist.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE DEVOTIONS OR PRAYERS? I have had a special devotion to Eucharistic Adoration. I think spending time in quiet prayer with our Lord in the Eucharist is when we are able to hear God’s voice most clearly.

WHAT’S A HOBBY OR ACTIVITY YOU ENJOY? Since I grew up on a working farm, I enjoy mostly outdoor activities as well as working with my hands and tinkering with mechanical things.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE FAITHFUL OF OUR ARCHDIOCESE? I am joyfully anticipating serving the people of my future parishes and of the archdiocese. Please pray for me, my classmates and all the priests of the archdiocese, that we be truly conformed to Christ, the High Priest, and become examples of holiness for the people of this archdiocese.

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