From Our Pastor
Fr. Sean Koehr (pronounced ‘Care’) who was ordained to the priesthood this past June 8th. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana where he was training to become a naval officer in the NROTC scholarship program. He dropped out of the NROTC program in order to attend the seminary. After his college graduation in 2012, he entered Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md. And studied at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pa.
His friendship with Father James Searby, Catholic chaplain at George Mason University in Fairfax, had the most influence on his decision to enter the seminary. Seeing Father Searby’s joy and generosity in living his vocation has helped Koehr get to know Christ and allowed him want to give his life to God as a priest.
He shared that he wanted to become a priest so he can fight for the church by bringing the truth and the sacraments to the diocese and the world.
He enjoys laughing with people, traveling, listening to music, and talking with family and friends.
His favorite quote is by St. Josemaria Escriva: “Don’t let your life be barren. Be useful. Make yourself felt. Shine forth with the torch of your faith and your love. With your apostolic life, wipe out the trail of filth and slime left by the corrupt sowers of hatred. And set aflame all the ways of the earth with the fire of Christ that you bear in your heart.”
His advice to a young man thinking about the seminary is to put yourself in front of Jesus and He will do most of the work. “Know that whatever vocation you are called to, you are first called to be a saint,” he said. “Strive to be a saint first, and whatever particular vocation you have will not only be clear, but you will also want it more than anything else.”
We are looking forward to getting to know Fr. Koehr and are very grateful that our Lord has sent him to St. Mary’s to serve.