Joseph McHenry

My life before the seminary: 

Prior to entering the seminary, I worked for a little over a year at the Archdiocese of Washington Pastoral Center in the Office of Worship. I helped coordinate liturgies for parish staffs as well as for the bishops of our diocese. Often, my work took me to many parishes across the Archdiocese—some 75 in all! It was a great joy for me to see the vibrancy of our local church in festive occasions such as Confirmations, patronal feasts, and altar dedications.


What convinced me to enter the seminary:

During the four years I spent in formation as part of a religious order prior to entering the seminary, I felt God inviting me to discern the priesthood further as part of this local Church of Washington where my faith had been nurtured for nearly a decade. I also love interacting and sharing the Gospel with people from all walks of life. This made parish ministry increasingly attractive. I am so grateful to God that he has led me to St. John Paul II Seminary and this Archdiocese!

Other interests include:

I enjoy the outdoors, road trips, rooting for the Buffalo Bills, and reading novels, short stories, history, biographies, and political philosophy. I am currently writing a thesis on the concept of the Common Good in the political thought of 20th century Catholic philosophers.