Juan Navarrete
Pastoral Year
I was born in Durango City, Durango Mexico on August 1 1986. I was 1 1/2 years of age when we immigrated to the United States of America. We made our way from La Vista, California to Omaha, Nebraska. My parents now live in Council Bluffs, Iowa. I am the son of Juan Navarrete and Ernesta Mancians. My parents divorced a few years ago and Mom remarried. My step-dads name is David Rivas. He has a younger brother, Jesus Manuel Navarrete, who is a sophomore in High school.
I graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 2005. I am currently a college freshman at Conception Seminary College in Conception, MO. I have been an active member of St. Peter Parish and when needed I also help at Our Lady of Guadalupe and St Agnes Parish. I serve as the master of Ceremonies for Mass.
I first thought of being a priest when I started as a altar server. I was about 10 years old. I continued to serve as a altar sever and as time whent on the Call kept getting stronger and stronger. I had other thoughts of what I was going to do after I graduated high school. I wanted to be a lawyer for some time. Then I wanted to be a orchestra director. I finally decided during the summer before my senior year that I wanted to go to the seminary and see if God was really calling me to the Priesthood. So after applying, I was accepted to study for the Archdiocese of Omaha. I finally realized that the decision had been the best one on December 11, 2004 during the mass of Our Lady of Guadalupe feast. I had the great honor of being the Master of Ceremonies at the Cathedral with Archbishop Elden Francis Curtiss presiding.
I encourage all men to at least try the seminary, even if you have slightest feeling that God is calling you. Give seminary a try. I feel that you do not loose anything, you actually gain a lot. I especially encourage parents with children to encourage their children to be altar servers at their parish. It was through serving at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass that I came closer to hearing Gods call.
I also have a variety of hobbies. I can play violin, cello, and piano. I also like model railroading and magic tricks.
If you have any questions for me about seminary or my journey to seminary, you can contact me at jnavarrete@conception.edu.
