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February 6 , 2018 | The Valley Catholic |
Priest Interviews : Father Kevin Joyce |
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By Justin Chung ’ 19
This is the second in a series of priest interviews conducted by Justin Chung . Justin is a junior at Bellarmine College Preparatory and an active parishioner at Holy Korean Martyrs Parish .
Father Kevin Joyce ’ s road to the priesthood can be summed up using one word : involved . He was born and raised in Alameda , California . As a child , his active engagement in his parish ’ s altar server ministry helped him discern his personal vocation . During middle school , he attended Mass every day and became very involved in altar serving . “ I just felt very close to Jesus Christ and the Eucharist , so the priesthood was very attractive to me .” A close relationship with the priest at his church also helped foster a positive view of the priesthood . From a young age , he saw priests as very inspiring men : “ I wanted to live the kind of life I saw them living .”
The first time Father Joyce heard God ’ s calling was in fifth grade . As he continued to serve in ministry , in seventh grade he made his decision that he wanted to enter the seminary . He took the exam to enter the local seminary high school , Saint Joseph College High School Seminary in Los Altos , in eighth grade and was accepted .
He recalls that “ most of my friends and family were against my decision , except for my father . My mother couldn ’ t see me leave to the seminary at 14 years of age . My Protestant friends thought I was crazy ; my girlfriend tried to talk me out of going ,
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but I was really determined .”
While he was at his church , Father Joyce became involved in a wide variety of activities during his time at the high school seminary . In athletics he played most of the sports from swimming , tennis , baseball , football , and more . He served as the music director for the choir and played organ . He also acted in a few plays . On top of everything , Father Joyce was very studious and enjoyed academics .
After a busy high school career , Father Joyce entered Saint Patrick ’ s College Seminary in Los Altos and studied in Mexico for a year . However , he found himself caught in the turbulence of the 1960 ’ s cultural revolution and felt a lost sense of calling . He left the seminary for five years . “ I went to San Jose State and supported myself as a working musician and through teaching meditation . For five years I had no intention of returning to the path of the priesthood .”
A main incentive for Father Joyce to leave the seminary was to marry his girlfriend at the time . On the verge of proposal , he realized that he wasn ’ t ready for any commitment , but the desire to marry stayed with him for a few years .
“ Four years later I attended a long retreat during which I had this very powerful experience of God calling me back to the priesthood . One afternoon during meditation I was thinking about all the different options I had of doing business , making money , getting married , and they all didn ’ t seem right . They didn ’ t answer the question of what my life was all about . And then as this intense prayer
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Father Kevin Joyce
continued I realized that I would never be happy unless I ’ m a priest – that my life is focused on knowing God and helping people to know and love Him . The thought about the priesthood was a shock . It just came out of the blue for the first time in five years . It was very strong and undeniable . I knew it was the Holy Spirit .”
Father Joyce immediately returned to the seminary and was ordained three years later . “ I never regretted it . There have been some great periods in my priesthood in terms of natural happiness and there have been some very difficult periods , conflict and struggle . But I ’ ve found it to be all worth it . If you really love the Lord and you want people to know the same love , I can ’ t think of anything better to do with my life .”
Many variables sustain Father Joyce as a priest . Earlier in his priesthood , assigned to Saint Catherine ’ s , the interaction with parishioners provided rich sustenance . “ In Morgan Hill the people were extremely supportive , encouraging , and [ there was ] an incredibly positive atmosphere .”
Nevertheless , despite the benevolent
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ambience , Father Joyce felt that he had burned out after four years because he hadn ’ t been taking care of his spiritual life . “ I wasn ’ t praying regularly , deeply . As I developed in my priesthood I came to see how important it is to have a strong prayer life and read the Liturgy of the Hours and have a daily connection with God . So in addition to the interaction with the people I serve , having a strong prayer life sustains me now as well .”
Talking with Father Joyce helped me to realize God ’ s constant presence in my life . He will always be there for me through my thick and thins and ultimately for eternity . For Father Joyce , God impacted his life from a very young age and led him to discern his vocation and enter the high school seminary . However , he left his college seminary and strayed away from the priesthood for five years . Even so , God persevered with him every step of the way and called Father Joyce back to the priesthood . Reflecting on this story made me understand that God is always there for me . He relentlessly pursues everyone despite their sins and lack of faith because of his unconditional love for all .
“ Have I not commanded you ? Be strong and courageous . Do not be afraid ; do not be discouraged , for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go .” - Joshua 1:9
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