College II
St. Sebastian Parish
Byron Center, MI
Parents:
Bill and Sheila Allan
Siblings:
Thomas Allan, Michael Allan
University of St. Thomas – St. John Vianney College Seminary
Hobbies:
Daniel enjoys hiking, going to the beach, and kayaking with friends. He also likes to help out at youth group and other parish events.
Who inspired you to be a priest?
My pastor, Msgr. Bill Duncan has been the main inspiration in my desire for the priesthood. The way he shepherds his flock with such care is something that I wish to be able to do. He is a man of deep spirituality and of great intellect, both of which are vital in the life of a priest, and these traits shine forth with and are illuminated by a joy that can only come from Christ.
Why do you want to be a priest?
The Priesthood has been something that has tugged on my heart since early middle school, but I haven’t been able to explain “why” until recently. The joy and peace that I see in so many of the wonderful priests that I know is so attractive, and I believe that the Lord is calling me to that joy and peace through this vocation.
What do you love the most about seminary? My favorite part about seminary is the brotherhood that is created and fostered between the seminarians from all different walks of life. This bond is formed firstly and primarily through our worship together of God. Thomas Merton writes in The Seven Story Mountain, “It is a law of man’s nature, written into his very essence… that he should want to stand together with other men in order to acknowledge their common dependence on God, their Father and Creator. In fact, this desire is much more fundamental than any purely physical necessity,” (Merton, 13).
What are you most grateful for?
I am most grateful for the gift of salvation that Christ purchases for us by the shedding of His Blood on the Cross. When we partake in the Eucharist, we are partaking in that very moment in salvation history as we accept Christ poured out for us.
Write to Daniel at:
University of St. Thomas
2115 Summit Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55105