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CHARLOTTE — Recent St. Joseph College Seminary graduate John Cuppett, is an athlete turned seminarian who understands what it takes to make personal sacrifices to achieve a common goal.

Where Cuppett once applied his talent and attention to the game of baseball during his youth and his four years at Belmont Abbey College, now he is focused on pursuing a vocation to the priesthood.

A member of St. Leo the Great Parish in Winston-Salem, he heads to Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary in Cincinnati this fall to begin more formal studies in the major seminary.

CNH: When did you first hear the call to a vocation to the priesthood?

Cuppett: I came to feel a desire to the priesthood at a young age, around 7 years old. The desire arose from altar serving when I was young and noticing the priest celebrate Mass.

CNH: Who did you first talk to about your vocation? What did they say?

Cuppett: Even though I felt the call at a young age, it was not until high school when I first mentioned to my parents that I may have a call to the priesthood. My parents were always supportive of whatever path in life I chose. My interest in the priesthood was a bit of a surprise for them, but they said it definitely made sense given my personality and desire to bring Our Lord to others.

CNH: How did you go about discerning where you felt called to explore your possible vocation?

Cuppett: During high school I was interested in joining the seminary after I graduated; however, I did very little in pursuing it and soon it faded into the background. From then on and up until college it was a fun idea, but nothing more. After high school I attended Belmont Abbey College on a baseball scholarship ,where I played as a second baseman for four years.

During my time at the Abbey, I met Matthew Harrison, a Charlotte seminarian. I informed him of my past dream of becoming a priest and he invited me to visit St. Joseph College Seminary. I did, and then all my previous desires and hopes for the priesthood came crashing back. I quickly sought help in my discernment with the diocesan Vocations Office. My senior year at the Abbey, I started spiritual direction with Father Brian Becker, the diocese’s promoter of vocations, and he helped me tremendously by answering all my questions, fears and thoughts regarding my vocation. Together we discovered that my call to the priesthood was very real, and he referred me to Father Christopher Gober, diocesan vocations director, to begin the process of applying.

John Cuppett is a parishioner of St. Leo the Great Church in Winston-Salem and a recent graduate of St. Joseph College Seminary. (Photo provided)CNH: What have you been doing as you have discerned a priestly vocation?

Cuppett: As I entered the college seminary, I quickly discovered that prayer was the backbone of my discernment process. I was fairly certain of my vocation, but fear and doubt always has a way of creeping into the mind of a seminarian. I found that by developing consistent prayer from day to day and a healthy interior life, I could clearly see who God wanted me to be. I became more true to myself and not someone else. The man God made me to be is clearly a priest of Jesus Christ and until He instructs me otherwise, I will continue on this path.

CNH: What advice do you have for a young man discerning a call to the priesthood?

Cuppett: I would advise every man who feels that they might have to call to the priesthood to develop a constant prayer life. Only until then will they see clearly who they truly are. After that, I would tell them to “be not afraid” of the life God is calling them to.

CNH: What are you doing over the summer?

Cuppett: I am happy to be assigned to my new home parish of St. Leo the Great in Winston-Salem. My parents moved to Winston-Salem a year ago, and this summer I am taking the opportunity of becoming acquainted with the parish. In general, I will be assisting Father Gober. I hope to bring a fresh set of hands to the youth ministry in the community with help in activities, events, etc. There is much to do in a big parish like St. Leo’s, and seminarian Marshall Bolling and I hope to help out where we can. But most of all, we are here to learn how a parish is run and watch as the priests here live out their vocation.
It will be most exciting to see the diocese’s newly ordained priest, Father Darren Balkey, arrive at St. Leo’s July 12 for his first assignment. The energy that a young priest and two young seminarians will bring to St. Leo’s will be fun indeed!

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

Your DSA contributions at work

Seminarian education is funded in part by the annual Diocesan Support Appeal. Learn more about the DSA and how to donate online at www.charlottediocese.org/dsa.