By Kathleen Bagg
The Diocese of St. Augustine will celebrate the ordination of four men to the priesthood on Saturday, May 23, at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jacksonville. Bishop Erik Pohlmeier will serve as the principal celebrant.
The men preparing to be ordained—Justino Moreno, Ken Laybourn, Steven Henderson and Stephen Parker—come from different backgrounds and stages of life, but each has responded to the same call to serve Christ and his Church.
Their journeys reflect the many ways God works in the lives of those he calls.
Moreno, who once worked in banking, returned to the Catholic faith after years of searching and encountered Christ in a way that redirected his life. Laybourn first felt called to the priesthood as a child and, after time away, found that the desire never left him.
Henderson, a Navy veteran and business professional, discovered his vocation later in life and chose to pursue it fully after years of discernment. Parker, who built a career in finance, ultimately followed a persistent sense that God was calling him to something more.
Together, their stories highlight a common truth: a vocation to the priesthood is not one-size-fits-all. It is a personal response to God’s invitation, shaped through prayer, discernment and the support of the Church.
The ordination Mass is open to the public, and the faithful are encouraged to attend and pray for these men as they begin their priestly ministry.
Join us at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 11757 Old St. Augustine Road in Jacksonville.
For more information about vocations in the Diocese of St. Augustine, contact Father Clay Ludwig, director of vocations at, vocationdirector@dosafl.com.
