Deacon Ronnie P. Floyd

How did your family/friends respond to you entering the seminary?
At first I didn't tell them. I knew my parents would be supportive, but I didn't want to get anyone's hopes up, and I didn't want any pressure put on me to enter or not to enter. It wasn't until I decided to enter and needed to borrow my mom's car to drive to the interview that I told them. When I did tell them my mom was thrilled, and my dad was also supportive, but I think he was surprised. At Catholic University my friends were all very supportive.

When you were younger, what did you think you were going to be?
I wanted to be a father, first and foremost; to have a family and a good job to support them with. I also wanted to get involved with politics.

What are some of your favorite and most important spiritual readings / books / passages?
The Soul of the Apostolate by Dom Jean-Baptise Chautard; The Way by St. Josemaria Escriva; The Confessions of St. Augustine; Spiritual Friendship by St. Aelred of Riveaux; The Simileron by JRR Tolkien; Fr. Elijah by Michael O’Brien.

Who influenced/ inspired you to priesthood?
I think first and foremost Pope John Paul II played an extremely important role for me. He was the only Pope I knew growing up, but also he was a true priest. JPII reminded the world that a priest was supposed to be another Christ, a suffering servant of his flock, and a father who lays it all down to defend them. I must give some credit to my mother, who taught me her simple polish faith and piety, throughout my life.

What was one of the hardest things for you in your discernment?
The hardest thing was the thought of not having a family. When my first nephew was born, when I was 16 years old, and I held him in my arms for the first time I was sold on the idea. I wanted to get married and have as many children as God was willing to give me. God however gave me the grace, in my first year of seminary, to see that as a priest you become a part of the family for many families and a father to many sons and daughters.

What do you think a person who is trying to discern his vocation should be doing to help make discernment easier?
Discernment can only honestly be done in prayer. For me this also meant starting to go to Mass daily, confession regularly, and praying the Divine Office.

What activities would you recommend in order to foster a culture of vocations?
The highest service that the priest provides the people of God is celebrating the sacraments well, to show people what we believe and that we love the Eucharistic gift that comes from Christ through his priesthood. Recognizing this is such an important step for encouraging young men and boys to consider if God is calling them to this.

What would people be surprised to know about you?
I love to sing, even though I am quite private about it.

How did you come to know Jesus Christ?
First and foremost from the witness of my parents and family. This witness and the sense of tradition really grounded me in my Catholic faith. This faith really came alive for me in College, however, as I began to read and study about the core of my Christian faith, and was introduced to regular Eucharistic Adoration, the Liturgy of the Hours, a much more lively celebration of the Holy Mass, and spiritual direction.

What was your career or background before entering the Seminary?
I had worked in sales and management for the Tandy Corporation, which later changed its name to Radioshack. I was pretty involved with politics, working for a half dozen local, state, and federal campaigns all around the country.

Ron's Previous Assignments:

Summer 2004: Study Italian & Saint Julie Billiart Parish, North Dartmouth
Summer 2005: Study in Europe
Summer 2006: Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, New Bedford
Summer 2007: Good Shepherd Parish, Martha's Vineyard