My name is Stephen Jones and I am finishing up my Pre-Theology 2 year at Kenrick Glennon Seminary. My parents converted to Catholicism right before I was born, so my brother and sister and I have always been Catholic. Growing up, I went to Catholic School until the 8th grade, after which I went to Edmond Memorial High School. I then attended Oklahoma State University and got my Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education-Social Studies, which I used by teaching history and theology in a Catholic Middle School in Oklahoma City for 2 years.
The first time I thought about being a priest was in college on a study abroad trip in Rome. I was drawn to the idea of the priesthood but I did not act on it for years. The faith environment at OSU was excellent, and I began to take my faith much more seriously than I had before. It was not until I was teaching at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School in OKC that I found myself more and more drawn to applying for the seminary. Thanks to the witness of Fr. John Paul Lewis, the associate pastor of St. Charles at the time, I said yes to God's call and went through the application process.
Some of my interests and hobbies include playing basketball and golf, keeping up with Oklahoma sports teams (OKC Thunder, OSU Cowboys), listening to music and podcasts, reading, and watching "The Office." One of my favorite scripture passages is 1 Tim. 6:11-12, which is, "But you, man of God, avoid all this. Instead, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called when you made the noble confession in the presence of many witnesses."