Steven Cartwright

2nd Pre-Theology

Seminary: Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook

Ordination Date: 2015

Birth Date: June 18

Home Parish: St. Catherine of Sienna (Wake Forest, NC)

High School: John Bapst Memorial High School (Bangor, ME) and Boothbay Region High School (Boothbay, ME)

College:
The Catholic University of America (Washington DC)
St. Bonaventure University (St. Bonaventure, NY)
St. John's University (Jamaica, NY)

Work Experience:
Head Coach Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Coach, Georgetown University
Asst. Coach Men's and Women's Swimming, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
Certified Pharmacy Technician, Costco Wholesale, Fairfax, VA
Asst. Senior I Coach, Seacoast Swimming Association, Dover, NH
Asst. Advanced Senior Coach, Rockville-Montgomery Swim Club, North Bethesda, MD
Webpage Designer, Glowing Toad Designs, Washington, DC

Hobbies:
-listening to music and seeing live bands
-watching college football, basketball….and of course swimming
-computers and web page design

Who Influenced/Inspired you to Priesthood: My parents and so many priests that gave of their heart to listen, serve, encourage and be a great example of what the Priesthood is.

What would you say to a young man who thinks he may have a vocation: The same advice, my mother gave me…keep in mind that the Priesthood will always be there and sometimes the best way to make God laugh is to tell him your plans.

Persevere in your prayer life and stay close to the sacraments as well as the Blessed Mother through the daily Rosary. When you pray, pray for courage to answer God’s call. We do not have a shortage of vocations; we have a shortage of courage. Remember that no one is worthy of the call, as Blessed Pope John Paul II wrote, the priesthood is truly both gift and mystery, however, only God can write straight with crooked lines. I have put my trust in Him to do so with me.

Favorite Scripture Passage:
John 11:35: “Jesus wept.”
There is no clearer example of Jesus taking on our humanity than in sharing in human emotions. All that we feel, he has felt too. Not only does God want our love, but he also wants to share in our sorrows, trouble and grief. Also, if Christ wept, then it also goes to say that he probably laughed as well. I keep this in mind often.

John 16:33: “I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Jesus has this intimate conversation with his disciples during the Last Supper before his impending death. What hope this simple passage gives us. In this life we have many trials and tribulations, but only through Christ will we have peace through it all. He tells us to “be of good cheer” no matter what confronts you, do not worry, have faith and take courage. As Christ conquered the world of sin and death, and through our faith and our trust in Him, so shall we.

Favorite Saint:
St. Maximilian Kolbe-was a priest who willingly died in place of a stranger at Auschwitz.

St. Damien of Molokai-was a priest who ministered to people with leprosy on the island of Molokai. After 16 years he contracted the disease and eventually died.

To me, the lives of these two saints illustrate that God calls ordinary people to the priesthood. God calls ordinary people to reach out to others and bring others closer to Christ. There are always opportunities to sacrifice yourself, your pride, ego etc. and where there is sacrifice, there is love.

Anything else of note you would like to share with the Diocese: This is my second time in seminary. I was in seminary from 1999-2001 studying for the Diocese of Portland, ME at CUA and Theological College in Washington, DC. There I studied with: Fr. Tighe, Fr. Oschwald, Fr. Meares and Fr. Lowchy, all priests of the Diocese of Raleigh which greatly impacted my decision to study for this great Diocese. I’m learning my way around, but not being a native North Carolinian, I am eager to learn all I can about this state. Above all else, please remember me in your prayers.