Joshua Laws considered a very important life decision when he was in the second grade. Even at that age, Laws pondered the option of entering the religious life, even though most students shudder or chuckle at the thought.
Laws has let this thought run through his mind and is consequently making it a reality with his decision to join the religious life. As soon as he finishes grading final exams, he will start his summer assignment, working at a nearby parish, and then start classes at St. Mary’s Seminary in August. Laws has decided to take one year of pre-theology (philosophy), and then four years of theology at St. Mary’s in Baltimore City, consequently leaving JC next year.
Laws said, “I first considered becoming a priest when my classmates and I were getting ready for Reconciliation and our First Communions. Growing up in St. Stephen’s Parish, I always looked up to the priests because of how much everyone trusted them and how holy they were.”
As for his students’ reactions, Laws said, “Most of my classes ask a lot of questions because they don’t understand why anyone would want to be a priest, and they just don’t know all that much about the seminary. Some students have even tried to barter with me so that I will come back to teach next year. One student said that if he got a 100% on his next test then I would have to stay, but needless to say, I am still going into the seminary next fall.”
In his two years here, Laws has become a deeply involved member of the community as a teacher and volleyball and rugby coach. He has also been leading masses in the chapel while constantly telling his students of his love for the school. His love is evident by how much time he devotes to grading papers meticulously, coaching, and meeting with students or fellow teachers.
Laws’ decision is a somewhat foreign concept to high school students, and he explained his motivation as this, saying, “I think that while the idea of becoming a priest has always been in the back of my mind, I have certainly had my doubts. And once I started working at John Carroll, I tried my best to ‘get rid of’ the idea of becoming a priest, but I was unsuccessful. In prayer, I realized how persistent the Holy Spirit can be. And I can remember times where I would be teaching a class, coaching, leading a Communion Service, or talking with a colleague in which the idea of becoming a priest was incredibly vivid and real.”
Laws said, “I ultimately made the decision to apply to enter the seminary at the end of the day on my birthday this year as I was in the chapel here at school. Ultimately, though, I am going into the seminary because this is who I am. When I think about who I am and my relationship with God – entering the priesthood seems like a natural progression.”
This decision requires great sacrifices, as Laws explained, “Unfortunately, I will not be able to teach or coach next year. But I will certainly take all of you with me in the form of the many lessons and memories. I have learned a lot in the past two years that I will certainly take with me no matter where I go.”
Laws said, “This has been one of the hardest decisions of my life. The community here really is a family. And while I may not be around school, I don’t think that I am leaving all together. I will still be going to work (classes) every day for the same reasons and I will keep the John Carroll family in my thoughts and prayers. I will do my best to make it back to JC from time to time.”