Thielo Ramirez

Seminary:  Mt. Angel Seminary

Birthday:  October 22nd

Home Parish:  St. Mary, Chandler

Favorite Saint: St. Philomena, St. John of the Cross

Hobbies: Play Station II, Reading

Favorite Food:  Anything that doesn’t bite back

Vocation Story

Ever since I could remember, I have been surrounded by religious people.  When I was young, people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grow up.  Without any hesitation, I would say that I wanted to become a priest.  My family then came to America and everything changed.  I was very much set on becoming a teacher.  I went to Arizona State University after I graduated high school.  After an extensive two months, I decided to withdraw.  Yes, this is a more pleasant way of saying "dropped out."  There was something missing, but I could not put it into words.  It was just a "feeling" that God has something better planned for me.  At the same time, I was working at St. Mary's parish as the associate youth minister.  It was a great environment because it helped figure out what I was going to do with my life.  It wasn't until that year that I told someone I was thinking about the priesthood.  I didn't know whether it was my family, my priest talking.  I wanted to make sure that if I was going to become a priest, I wanted the decision to be solely mine.  Later that year I learned about Franciscan University of Steubenville.  I applied for the pre-theology program.  I wanted to leave home to figure out what God wanted me to do.  After a year of discernment, I decided to apply to the Diocese of Phoenix.  With Gods help, I was accepted on the Assumption of our Lady.  I thank God for His constant outpouring of mercy and for our Savior, Jesus Christ, and for Our Lady's intercessions.