Transitional deacons to be answer call to vocation

Submitted on March 27, 2009

Rev. Mr. James Holbrook

Rev. Mr. Holbrook, 40, is the son of Mary Holbrook of Florissant and the late Dr. Charles K. Holbrook. His home parish is Annunciation in Webster Groves. A graduate of Hazelwood East High School, he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Webster University. He has served his supervised ministry at Our Lady of Providence Parish in Crestwood. Rev. Mr. Holbrook called his time at the seminary "an excellent experience." "Even if I left without being ordained, I would be changed forever. My approach to faith and even my approach to life is better. "When I talk to people about the seminary, I try to remind them that vocation is not just for the priesthood, but everyone has a call to live for the kingdom. "One of the best decisions you can make is to discern your calling in a place that allows you to live it, like the seminary or novitiate."

Rev. Mr. Craig Holway

Rev. Mr. Holway, 31, is the son of Jerome and Mary Holway of Florissant. His home parish is St. Ferdinand in Florissant. A graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas-Mercy High School, he earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He has served his supervised ministry at St. Mary’s High School and several parishes — St. Gerard Majella in Kirkwood, the Cathedral Basilica in the Central West End, St. Joseph in Imperial and St. Joan of Arc and St. Gabriel the Archangel in South St. Louis.