Help Patrick Enter the Dominicans
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Hello,
My name is Patrick Kelly and I have been accepted into the novitiate for the Dominican friars. The novitiate begins this summer, July 22 (the Feast of St. Mary Madaglene), but before I can enter I am going to need some help!
I first sensed a potential call to priesthood during my senior year at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia. I had an unexpected but incredible experience of donating bone marrow to a 15 year old boy. Not to go into too much detail, but the procedure for donating bone marrow is rather intense for the donor while frequently a last resort treatment option for the recipient. There were several tests that I had to undergo to make sure that I was healthy enough to be the donor; blood work had to be completed, X-rays had to be taken and I had to have a physical. The actual procedure involved doctors extracting about 1500 mL of marrow from my hips (while I was sedated) for my recipient's transplant. All of this was taking in place in the midst of my senior year while I was working on my capstone project for my major and applying for jobs for after graduation. Needless to say, there were many times when I felt drained, overwhelmed and anxious about what was going to happen. Nevertheless, the thing that I felt most throughout the experience was joy. I knew that God was using my life as instrument of His love and mercy in the life of someone else.
As I looked to my future with college ending and my professional life beginning, I began to ponder and pray about how I could direct my whole life to that end of being an instrument of God's love and mercy. Priesthood kept coming up, but unfortunately my own fears also kept getting in the way. After some more time, prayer and spiritual direction, I am confident that this is the path that God intends for me.
The Order of Preachers (commonly known as the Dominicans) is a group of mendicant friars who were founded by Saint Dominic in the 1216. Dominican friars serve in parishes, schools, hospitals and on college campuses and live lives completely dedicated to prayer and study.
As a Dominican friar, I will be committing to a life of obedience, chastity and poverty. Before I can enter on July 22nd, I must pay off all of my debts. It is my goal to use this platform to pay off the $50,000 of outstanding student loan debt that I have from my undergraduate education. I have worked to pay off close to $20,000 already. I would greatly appreciate any assistance that you could provide, no gift is too small. I would also greatly appreciate your prayers for my future Dominican brothers and me during this time of transition in our lives and for the grace to hear and respond generously to the Lord's will for our lives. Please be assured of my prayers for all of your intentions as well.
Holy Father Dominic, pray for us!
Best,
Patrick Kelly
My name is Patrick Kelly and I have been accepted into the novitiate for the Dominican friars. The novitiate begins this summer, July 22 (the Feast of St. Mary Madaglene), but before I can enter I am going to need some help!
I first sensed a potential call to priesthood during my senior year at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia. I had an unexpected but incredible experience of donating bone marrow to a 15 year old boy. Not to go into too much detail, but the procedure for donating bone marrow is rather intense for the donor while frequently a last resort treatment option for the recipient. There were several tests that I had to undergo to make sure that I was healthy enough to be the donor; blood work had to be completed, X-rays had to be taken and I had to have a physical. The actual procedure involved doctors extracting about 1500 mL of marrow from my hips (while I was sedated) for my recipient's transplant. All of this was taking in place in the midst of my senior year while I was working on my capstone project for my major and applying for jobs for after graduation. Needless to say, there were many times when I felt drained, overwhelmed and anxious about what was going to happen. Nevertheless, the thing that I felt most throughout the experience was joy. I knew that God was using my life as instrument of His love and mercy in the life of someone else.
As I looked to my future with college ending and my professional life beginning, I began to ponder and pray about how I could direct my whole life to that end of being an instrument of God's love and mercy. Priesthood kept coming up, but unfortunately my own fears also kept getting in the way. After some more time, prayer and spiritual direction, I am confident that this is the path that God intends for me.
The Order of Preachers (commonly known as the Dominicans) is a group of mendicant friars who were founded by Saint Dominic in the 1216. Dominican friars serve in parishes, schools, hospitals and on college campuses and live lives completely dedicated to prayer and study.
As a Dominican friar, I will be committing to a life of obedience, chastity and poverty. Before I can enter on July 22nd, I must pay off all of my debts. It is my goal to use this platform to pay off the $50,000 of outstanding student loan debt that I have from my undergraduate education. I have worked to pay off close to $20,000 already. I would greatly appreciate any assistance that you could provide, no gift is too small. I would also greatly appreciate your prayers for my future Dominican brothers and me during this time of transition in our lives and for the grace to hear and respond generously to the Lord's will for our lives. Please be assured of my prayers for all of your intentions as well.
Holy Father Dominic, pray for us!
Best,
Patrick Kelly
Organizer
Patrick Kelly
Organizer
Richmond, VA
