Growing up in a Catholic homeschooling family, I knew my faith well. Though our cattle ranch was 45 minutes from the closest church, Sunday Mass was always a priority. My parents’ example of praying with Scripture each morning inspired me to do the same during high school.
As my relationship with God grew, I began to hear his call to the priesthood. The priests I knew influenced me greatly, and reading about the life of Blessed Michael McGivney strengthened my desire to serve as a priest and led me to join the Knights of Columbus in college. After my ordination as a transitional deacon, I had to take off a couple of years for health reasons. During that time, I reread biographies of and letters from Blessed Solanus Casey — who is my great-great-great-uncle — and was inspired by how he always thanked God despite his own suffering and difficulty during seminary.
Today, more than a year since my priestly ordination, I cannot thank God enough for the great blessings he gives me as I serve his people, especially by celebrating the Mass and hearing confessions.
Father Caleb Cunningham
Diocese of Baker
Father O. Donovan Council 3636
Redmond, Oregon
Learn more at dioceseofbaker.org/vocations-office.








