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Katie Collins | Catholic Herald

Noah Morey

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Vocations are a family affair for seminarian Noah C. Morey.
The sixth of eight children, he has an older brother who is a
Benedictine priest and an older sister who is a Discalced
Carmelite nun.

Morey, who will be ordained a transitional deacon May 31 by
Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde at the Cathedral of St.
Thomas More in Arlington, said having “trailblazers in the
family” helped him see a religious vocation as tangible and
attainable.

His vocation also is the fruit of a good dose of prayer. “Not
just personal and family prayer, but there has always been
extended family praying for us,” said Morey. With the help of
so many prayers, “God’s been at work behind the scenes,” he
said.

Born March 28, 1986, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to Michael and
Kathy Morey, he grew up in Seattle and was home-schooled
until college.

During his sophomore year in high school, he added two
practices that were pivotal in his vocational discernment: He
became a sacristan at his local parish, regularly helping out
at Mass, and he started reading Scripture daily.

“These two – word and Sacrament – were so important to me,”
he said.

Morey went on to attend Christendom College in Front Royal,
where he continued to stay close to Mass and Scripture. He
graduated in 2008 with a degree in theology.

Following graduation, Morey spent one year teaching Latin and
history at Chelsea Academy in Front Royal while coaching
several sports teams there.

In 2009, he entered Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg,
Md.

His time in the seminary has been “characterized by a lot of
peace,” he said. But it also has been fairly secluded and
academic-focused, and Morey said he’s looking forward to
serving at a parish during his diaconate year and putting
“meat on the bones of what we are learning.”

“I just look forward to being available to people,” he said.
“When we are out with the people and serving the parish –
being Jesus to people – I think it is very humbling and
exciting.”

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