Home Parish: St. Philip in Posey County
Anticipated Ordination: 2032
Parents: Karen and Brian Wilkey
Sibling: Katie
I started discerning my vocation at a Teens Encounter Christ retreat in July 2023, just before the start of my senior year of high school. I had an unexplainable feeling come over me while serving at the closing Mass. This was the major event that caused me to take my discernment more seriously. I had been thinking about the priesthood as an option for most of my life, but I had never thought about it too seriously up until that moment at the retreat.
As I followed my call, my youth minister, Sharon Shumate, was very helpful in my discernment. Without her support, I would not have grown so close to God. I have been able to make a number of retreats and camps because of her.
Savio also had a big part in my discernment. The fraternity there helped me tremendously. The discernment retreat I attended helped me make my final decision to enter seminary. Without the support of Father Tyler (Tenbarge) and the guys in Savio, I would not be where I am today.
My parents, Brian and Karen, have been very supportive. They were very supportive of my discernment. They encouraged me to follow the path that I felt called to. Without my parents, I would not have grown up in a Catholic home, which is the foundation for everything.
If you know someone who is discerning, it might be helpful to encourage them to find a group of like-minded people. Finding people who will support you in your vocation is very important.