By Jessica Easthope

It’s easy to feel small while standing in the shadow of something so much bigger than yourself, but Elvis Toribio isn’t intimidated. He’s been preparing his whole life for this.

“Since I was, like, small, I always, like, felt the Lord calling me to be a priest,” Toribio, a seminarian at St. Joseph’s Seminary said. “I just really enjoyed being in church and always really enjoyed having everything to do with the church.”

Elvis is the youngest seminarian walking the halls of St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie. The history, legacy, and future of the seminary’s mission are now part of his journey to the priesthood.

“I’m getting used to the place already. It’s a big place,” Toribio said. “Not what I’m used to.”

With a full course load—Fundamental Theology, Canon Law, and Psychology, to name a few—Elvis is getting used to his classes, as well as what he wears to class.

“At first, it was a little weird just because of the new, like, change of clothing and all that. I’m used to just wearing, like, a regular polo,” Toribio said. “But now with the collar on, it feels kind of surreal. It just kind of makes the dream, you could call it, more real and present.”

Elvis, who was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to Queens Village in 2011, will spend the next four years studying at the seminary before becoming a transitional deacon. After that, he hopes to return to serve the same community that raised him as a priest, specifically ministering to the elderly and sick. He was inspired by seeing his grandmother’s faith grow in her last years.

“The church being close to her was also very comforting for her in her last few years,” Toribio said. “So I want to, like, lean into that and just give those people a little bit of hope.”

These days, Elvis finds hope of his own in the fellow future priests he sits with in class, as they become fast friends. It turns out priestly fraternity starts long before ordination.

“Having them around helps a lot. Having those connections and friendships has also helped a lot with transitioning. Getting to know each other just helps with that, coming out of ourselves and realizing that we’re not alone in this.”

In the classroom—and the cafeteria—Christ is everywhere, and Elvis has taken the first step in surrendering to his call. But for now, there’s a lot to learn—class starts at 8:30 a.m.

A Centennial Celebration Mass for the Sisters of Charity was held Sunday at Resurrection-Ascension Parish in Rego Park.

The parish was selected for the 100th-anniversary event because some of the Sisters of Charity live in the convent and are active in the parish. However, the order first arrived at Our Lady of Angels in Brooklyn a century ago, and from there, they spread throughout Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island, opening schools and other ministries.

Today, the sisters serve in many social service and educational programs.

Bishop Brennan joined the congregation and expressed his gratitude for the presence and ministries of the Sisters of Charity in the Diocese of Brooklyn and beyond.

The Diocese of Brooklyn’s Diaconate Convocation was held this Sunday.

Bishop Robert Brennan led a prayer service for the deacons and their families at the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston.

He thanked the deacons for their service in both parishes and diocesan offices.

Bishop Brennan also asked for their support in the coming year as the diocese begins discussions on a year of reciprocal partnership among parishes.

He emphasized that change is a way of life in the Diocese of Brooklyn, stating, “As we adapt to the needs of parishes and change, we build up the strength of Catholic life here in Brooklyn and Queens.”

A total of 75 deacons and 40 wives were in attendance.