The Oblates of the Virgin Mary are pleased to announce the Ordination of our brother
Paul M. Kallal, OMV
to the Order of Priesthood through the laying on of hands and the invocation of the Holy Spirit by the Most Reverend
Bishop Carl A. Kemme
on Saturday, August 15, 2020 at 10:00 AM
the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
St. Mary Parish
519 E. 4th Street
Alton, IL 62002
Father Paul will offer a Mass of Thanksgiving
at St. Mary Parish on Sunday, August 16 at 11:00 AM.
Attending the Ordination
Given the uncertainty of these times, we hope you will celebrate the Ordination and Mass of Thanksgiving of Fr. Paul with us. In-person attendance will be limited due to health and safety restrictions.
For those joining us virtually, a live stream will be available from the St. Mary’s Catholic Church and School Facebook Page. In the days following the event, a video recording will be shared here as well as on the Oblates of the Virgin Mary Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.
Paul’s Journey to Priesthood
Coming to us from Jerseyville, IL (near St. Louis), Paul earned his Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Barnes-Jewish College of Nursing in St. Louis. He worked for several years as a nurse at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Br. Paul first met the Oblates at our OMV parish of St. Mary’s in Alton, Illinois and entered Our Lady of Grace Seminary in September 2013. He professed perpetual vows in February 2019 and was ordained a deacon in June 2019. He entered his fourth year of theology studies in September 2019, and is now ready to begin his next chapter in the priesthood.
I ask for your prayers in these final months leading up to my ordination. I owe much of my vocation to the generosity of so many at St. Mary’s, as well as the people of Jerseyville where I grew up. It has been and will be an even greater joy to serve you as an Oblate priest. God bless.
Deacon Paul Kallal, OMV
Leading the Next Generation to Lives of Service
As Deacon Paul transitions to the priesthood, there are other young men who are trying to discover their life’s purpose and discern if God is calling them to join the Oblates of the Virgin Mary.
Similar to our work in our other ministries, we offer support and guidance to these individuals and help them on their spiritual journey. Deacon Paul will be instrumental in reaching out to men who are discerning the call and bringing them into the seminary. He has already begun to serve these future seminarians by holding virtual meetings and prayer with those exploring this path.
Learn About Becoming an Oblate ›
Help Our Next Brother Answer God’s Call
Donating to the Oblates of the Virgin Mary helps other young men of faith follow in Deacon Paul’s footsteps. We welcome contributions made in honor of his ordination.