Each year these statements are collected from those to be ordained around the country. You can find the whole list on the USCCB website.

I have placed some I like and/or guys I know here:

as a small child I played Mass everyday with all the neighborhood kids yet often times I was the only Catholic who was present.

love Chicken Fried Steak and gravy.

Played in a rock band in high school and college and like reading mystery stories.

That I have been a permanent deacon for almost 20 years.  I taught on the college level for 24 years and taught at the diocesan seminary for almost ten years.

was always interested in the priesthood, but took a circuitous route by becoming a Low Vision Specialist in Optometry first.

I have an identical twin who is an Anglican minister.

play the accordion or that I once wanted to be a professional chef.

practiced medicine for 2 years, and went to graduate school for 1 year before entering seminary.

was a fishing and canoe guide in Northern Minnesota.

have whitewater rafted down the Arkansas River.

was a lawyer.  I wanted to be a lawyer since I was eleven years old.  I never considerd the priesthood until my parish priest asked me to consider it after recognizing a potential priestly vocation.

Have second degree black belt in Taekwondo.

was a coal miner during the summers between college semesters.

was a successful investment banker before I entered the seminary.

worked in broadcasting for 32 years, 7 in radio and 25 in television.

Played college football and was a quarterback.

love to perform magic and juggling and have been doing magic and juggling since I was 7 years old.

don’t know how to swim.

was an actor in Hollywood for a year right out of High School.

Served in the 3rd Infantry Division, Alpha Company 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry. I also worked for Charles Scwhab & Co. as an investment advisor prior to entering the seminary.

Grew up on a tobacco farm in Southern Maryland. I joined the seminary after high school.  As a seminarian I have done mission experiences in Thailand and El Salvador

Was named a College Lacrosse All American my senior year.

Have traveled to 29 countires

Have completed 3 Half Ironman triathlons

really wanted to be in a Rock Band in High School and College.

Lived and worked abroad for eight years in the UK, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria prior to entering religious life

I was an  underground  diocesan seminarian for 7 years in Vietnam before I came to the U.S.