Deacon David Deston

When was the first time you thought of the priesthood?
I was in college. I had decided against a career in the law and was helping a friend discern a call. He didn’t have one; I did.

How did your family/friends respond to your entering the seminary?
My family was very supportive and eager for me to succeed. In truth, I think they were relieved I had chosen something. My friends were also very helpful and supportive in the run-up to the seminary, and after I had entered.

When you were younger, what did you think you were going to be?
President of the United States of America

What were major Catholic activities you participated in prior to entering the seminary?
I was a confirmation catechist at St. Thomas More, as well as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.

What is your favorite Scripture passage?
Isaiah 41:13. I had been having a tough time at the seminary, and while reading Isaiah for class, I came across this verse. I stayed with that verse for over an hour and poured out everything I had to the Lord. It’s stayed with me ever since.

What is your favorite book?
There can’t be only one, so I’ll go with a small selection - The Lord of the Rings, The Power and the Glory, Henry V, Shogun, My Antonia.

What is your favorite movie?
Casablanca

What are some of your favorite and most important spiritual readings / books / passages?
In general, the books of the Old Testament prophets are quite important to me. The writings of our Holy Father are magnificent; his Jesus of Nazareth is a spiritual goldmine. The lives of the saints, particularly the English martyrs, moves me along spiritually. Evelyn Waugh’s biography of St. Edmund Campion is phenomenal.

Who influenced/ inspired you to priesthood?
Other than to say “The Lord,” I don’t know. My parents raised me, so I guess them. Maybe the confirmandi I was teaching my last year at St. Thomas More.

What was one of the hardest things for you in your discernment?
Probably trying to discern while I was working. It was definitely a time crunch. Also, there was a lot of inner monologue, trying to be sure before I called the Diocese.

What do you think a person who is trying to discern his vocation should be doing to help make the discernment easier?
Talk to someone you trust, bounce ideas off them. Pray, read Scripture, confess.

What do you consider to be one of the great challenges for a priest today?
Preaching the Gospel (with or without words).

What activities would you recommend in order to foster a culture of vocations?
On a parish level, I would say prayer and adoration.

What would people be surprised to know about you?
That I’m an Eagle Scout and have a weakness for spicy foods.

How did you come to know Jesus Christ?
Through dealing with His people and loving them on a level I had not expected.

What was your career or background before entering the seminary?
I have a degree in history and was working for the library exchange, merging records and occasionally cataloging. I loved every minute of it.

David's Previous Assignments:

Summer 2003: Study in Mexico
Pastoral Year 2003-04: Saint Anthony Parish, Taunton
Summer 2004: Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, Fall River
Summer 2005: Corpus Christi Parish, East Sandwich
Summer 2006: Institute for Priestly Formation, Omaha, Nebraska
Pastoral Year 2006-07: Saint Michael Parish, Fall River