It all started with a birthday wish: “Richard, my son. For my birthday this year, I don’t want you to get me anything. Instead, I want you to go do something. Please go to confession for my birthday.”
This bold request from my mother, Monica, came at a turning point in my life. I, her “Augustine,” was playing my last year of Division I college golf at St. Mary’s College in California, and I had just decided that I would no longer pursue my childhood dream of professional golf. By this time, I had also grown tired of the classic college party lifestyle.
So I decided to honor my mother’s birthday wish. In that confessional, I met Jesus Christ for the first time. My sin and brokenness were overwhelmed by his love and mercy. This left a permanent mark on my soul and set me off in a new direction — on a straight path to the priesthood, where I now get to welcome other prodigal sons and daughters back into the loving embrace of God the Father. What a gift!
Father Richard Conlin
Archdiocese of Vancouver
Corpus Christi Council 8535
Vancouver, British Columbia








