A Heart for the Church: Jack Roy’s Journey to the Seminary
This spring, while many graduating seniors were choosing majors and preparing for campus life, Jack Roy, a senior at DuBois Central Catholic, was taking a bold and beautiful step in faith—he has been accepted to the seminary and will begin formation this fall in pursuit of the priesthood.
Jack’s vocation didn’t emerge overnight. It was nurtured in the heart of Holy Spirit Parish, DuBois, where he has been an active and faith-filled presence for years. Parishioners have seen Jack serve in many roles: as an altar server, lector, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, and as a member of our music ministry. Whether assisting at Mass or leading in song, Jack’s quiet commitment and joyful witness have been an inspiration to all who know him.
In this special issue, we spoke with Jack, along with his parents, Fr. Ben Daghir and Fr. John Malthaner, about what led him to this extraordinary calling. Together, they reflect on the experiences, conversations, and graces that helped shape his discernment—and the faith community that has supported him along the way.
Jack’s journey is a beautiful reminder that vocations are cultivated through prayer, service, and community. As he begins this next chapter, we ask for your continued prayers for Jack, and for all young people listening for God’s voice in their own lives.
Jack, we are proud of you and praying for you!
Getting to Know our Seminarian
As part of our parish family, we’re blessed to walk alongside those discerning a vocation to the priesthood. To help us get to know him better, we posed a few questions to our seminarian. His thoughtful answers give us a glimpse into his journey of faith, his hopes for the future, and the joys and challenges of life in formation.
When did you first feel called to the priesthood?
I first got called to be a priest very early on, about first grade.
Who have been the biggest influences in your spiritual life so far?
My biggest influences have been my Me Me and Papa, my parents, Fr. Siefer, Fr. Ben, Fr. John, and Fr. Brandon.
What are you most looking forward to as you begin your seminary studies?
I am looking forward to learning more about the faith and to get to know the other seminarians.
What aspects of seminary life are you a little nervous about?
I am nervous about moving away from home, but at the same time I am very excited to move away!
What kind of priest do you hope to become?
I hope to become a priest who is kind, always there when you need help, and a great mentor.
If you could have dinner with any saint (besides Jesus or Mary), who would it be and why?
St. Padre Pio, he was my confirmation saint. He has inspired me so much throughout these past few years through his ministry.
What's one piece of advice you would give another young man who is thinking about the seminary?
Pray about it and ask God for guidance. The application process is not the easiest thing in the world, but it has been one of the most impactful moments in my spiritual life.
I look forward to entering the seminary and seeing what God has in store for me!
Nurturing a Vocation: Jack's Parents Speak on His Commitment to God
When a young man chooses to follow God’s call to the seminary, his family walks that journey with him in a unique and powerful way. We recently sat down with Jack’s parents, Chad & Elisabeth, to talk about his decision to enter the seminary, the blessings and challenges they’ve experienced along the way, and how their own faith has deepened through supporting his vocation. Below, they share their thoughts and stories in their own words.
When did you first realize Jack might be called to the priesthood?
Jack always said he wanted to be a priest, I believe in kindergarten when he was asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, he had answered, "The Pope!". Then again in 3rd grade, when his teacher told me he was going to be a priest one day, it really started to sink in.
How did you feel when he told you he was applying to the seminary?
We felt extremely proud of him for making this decision to follow Jesus.
What has helped you support his discernment?
Seeing him so happy and passionate about wanting to be a priest makes it easy to support him in any way we can!
What are your hopes for him as he begins this next step?
Our hopes for him are that he finds the love and support everywhere he goes along his jouney. We hope he has a clear path of where Jesus is taking him.
How has his vocation affected your/your other children's faith?
I myself (Beth) feel closer to Jesus than ever before. Jack makes me want to be a better Christian! I see my other kids talking more openly about prayer and Jesus, and that makes my mama heart happy.
A Joyful "Yes": Jack Roy's Seminary Commitment and the Hope of the Priesthood
By Fr. Ben Daghir
There are moments in life that stir something profound in the soul—a mix of joy, gratitude, and awe at how God continues to guide His Church.
One of those moments came on Friday, May 23, 2025, during the priesthood ordination Mass at St. Peter Cathedral in Erie. As I watched my dear friends, Fr. Brandon Feikles and Fr. Michael Scanga, receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders to the Priesthood, I thanked God. I was filled with gratitude.
But then, I was reminded of King David’s words in Psalm 23, “My cup overflows.” God never ceases to pour out His gifts far beyond what we expect and anticipate.
I had no idea that I’d see Jack Roy serving on the St. Peter Cathedral altar for the Priesthood Ordination Mass. Jack is a parishioner at Holy Spirit Parish, a 2025 graduate of DuBois Central Catholic, and a seminarian for the Diocese of Erie.
Jack has been a constant, humble servant—whether assisting at Holy Spirit Parish, contributing to the life of DuBois Central Catholic, or volunteering in the wider community. Just two days before graduating from DuBois Central Catholic on Sunday, May 25, Jack served at the Priesthood Ordination Mass, marking the beginning of his journey toward the priesthood with faith and joy.
As I sat next to my twin brother (Fr. Luke Daghir) throughout the Priesthood Ordination Mass, I couldn’t help but reflect on when we first entered seminary. And now we see young men like Jack answering the same call from Jesus Christ: “Follow me.” It’s a call filled with adventure, sacrifice, and deep fulfillment.
Do we want more priests? Absolutely. The Church always wants more laborers for His vineyard.
But participating in that Priesthood Ordination Mass on May 23 and seeing our newest seminarian reminded me that God is providing. God is still calling. And young men like Jack Roy are courageously responding.
May Jack Roy’s journey inspire many more to listen for that same call and dare to respond to the adventurous words of Jesus, “Follow me.”
A Pastor's Reflection on Walking with Jack in His Discernment
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By Fr. John Malthaner |
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About a week after arriving in DuBois last July, someone said to me, “Have you met Jack Roy yet? He’s going into the Seminary.” I responded, “No, not yet. How would I best find him?” Their response… “Don’t worry, it will just happen. He’s everywhere.”
“He’s everywhere.” That certainly is an understatement. He is involved in the parish as a Eucharistic Minister and a member of more than one Liturgical music group. He is a volunteer firefighter. He was involved in high school as a member of the golf team and was active in theater productions as well as choral performances. Jack accompanied piano at both elementary and junior/high school Liturgical celebrations. Jack volunteered his time at Sunday evening Bingo in Reynoldsville as well as the add-on Bingo to help DuBois Central Catholic. Jack also found time to be actively immersed in the Boy Scouts, where he received his Eagle Scout award in 2024.
I’m sure I missed something, but you get the point. Here we have a young man who chooses to be involved in both his school and community…giving back because he feels the need to allow his gifts to be used to help his corner of the world be a better place because he is in it.
Amid his busy life, what remains most important is his relationship with Jesus and his relationship with his family. In fact, I believe it is Jack’s relationship with Jesus that is the foundation of everything he says and does. It is that which spills over into familial relationships and beyond.
I am grateful to know Jack Roy and as a priest I am happy he is responding to the call God has given him to take this first step into the Seminary. Family, school, and community groups will miss his everyday presence but have excellent examples and lessons to draw upon because of the person Jack chooses to be.
Let us keep Jack and his family in our prayers as he begins his Seminary training in Baltimore. |