Support Father Castello's Theological Education

My name is Raymond Niblock, bishop of the Old Catholic Missionary Province which is a part of the Old Catholic Church of the Americas. I am asking you to consider a donation to support one of our priests who is half-way through a master’s degree program with St. Stephen’s University. His name is Father Castello Vore, and he lives in Gastonia, North Carolina, where he leads a mission in my name. His story is below, in his own words, and I pray his story will inspire you to give so the money we collect can be used to pay for his tuition. All money collected will go directly to Father Castello’s tuition. If there is any extra, that money will be directed for clergy relief for some of our aging and retired clergy who live below the poverty level.

Empowering Castello's Gospel Ministry & Priesthood Journey

Dear friends and supporters, my name is Father Castello. I have dedicated my life to sharing God's love and ministering to people. From a young age, I found solace in helping my Pentecostal grandfather pray for the sick in hospitals and nursing homes. Today, I lead a small, missional Old Catholic Community located at a low-income housing property where I live in North Carolina, and I am asking for donations to help me afford completing a master’s degree program.

A Call to the Priesthood

As my life unfolded, I faced numerous challenges, including struggles with high functioning autism, a learning disability, and coming out and thriving as LGBTQ in a conservative, Southern, state. Despite these hurdles, I never lost sight of my purpose to serve God’s people. The Holy Spirit had a plan for my life, and it led me to explore a Benedictine monastery where the inklings of a call to the priesthood were amplified.

That was four and a half years ago, about the same time when the Old Catholic Missionary Province accepted me as a seminarian to study and discern my calling for the priesthood. As a result of my work with the Missionary Province, the ordinary, Bishop Niblock, ordained me to the priesthood in April of this year. However, the ordination was not an end goal, but a beginning. To equip myself with the knowledge and skills to optimize my ability to serve others, I am pursuing a master's in ministry with a focus in theology and culture at St. Stephen's University. With your support, which I very much need, I am eager to embrace this divine path and continue making a positive impact on lives through the gospel and sacramental ministry.

The Journey Ahead

I am one year into the St. Stephen’s two-year program with straight-As. Already, the education I am receiving is deepening my understanding of God's teachings while equipping me with the additional skills needed to serve and connect with diverse and vulnerable communities and people. The program enhances my ability to be an effective priest amongst some of the most vulnerable people of society. However, my income is limited and well-below the poverty level. Therefore, I must rely on the gifts and kindness of others to raise the money to pay for my tuition. I hope you will consider making a donation to this cause so I can complete my education at St. Stephens, and may God bless you for your generosity.