Colin Doering is in his second year of college studies at Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving, Texas. His approximate date of ordination to the priesthood is June 2028.

How did you discern the direction of your vocation?

I noticed a sense of joy and happiness being involved with the Church, whether it was altar serving or youth and campus ministry. In high school, I began attending daily Mass and spending time with the Blessed Sacrament regularly before classes. Many priests I encountered revealed Christ’s love for me and thought that this is the kind of life that might bring me the most fulfillment.

Which pastime are you happiest doing?

During last year’s quarantine, I learned how to play guitar and have been loving it ever since.

What are some causes that you care about?

A cause I care about is the pro-life movement, not only for the lives of the unborn but for the dignity of each and every human person.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Oddly enough, in first grade I wanted to be a limousine driver for celebrities.

Name three words that describe you.

Witty, genuine and caring.

What do you want people to remember you for?

Someone who was a sinner but continued to run to the Father in order to share in his love for others.

Who is a person you admire and why?

I admire St. John Paul II for the great work he has done for the Church. He was someone I could relate to when I learned about the suffering he endured in his childhood. He inspired me to stay devoted to our Blessed Mother and to keep praying the rosary.

What is a typical day for you during seminary studies?

A typical day begins with waking up at 6 a.m. and Morning Prayer, followed by holy Mass at 6:30 a.m. Afterwards, I’ll occasionally grab breakfast and then prepare myself for classes, which for me runs from about 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. When I’m between classes, I’ll have lunch and then head over to the chapel to pray my daily rosary. Once classes are finished, I usually have time for school work, meetings with faculty or other seminarians and sometimes a quick nap. Then, our seminary community gathers for Evening Prayer and meditation at 5:15 p.m. After meditation, we have dinner in our refectory at 6 p.m., then we are free the rest of the night to make good use of recreation and community living.

Why is the Church’s emphasis on St. Joseph important today?

St. Joseph is the perfect example of fatherhood, whether it be spiritual or biological, something we lack today.

The Serra Club of Charleston is a member of the USA branch of Serra International, with the goal of nurturing vocations. Contact Debra Dinolfo at serracharleston@gmail.com for information or to join.