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Meet our Seminarians > John Chung

 

Thomas Martin

Thomas Martin

Theology II

 

Home Parish:

St. Sebastian

Kentfield

 

 

 

My Story:

A native San Franciscan, I am the son of the late Donald and Ann Martin. I am a triplet and one of nine children. Raised in the Inner Sunset, I attended Saint Agnes School and graduated from Saint Paul's, Sacred Heart High School and the University of San Francisco, where I studied Classical and Linguistic Philosophy and American History. In high school, I ran Cross Country and was a student council officer. In college, I was served on the Student Senate and pledged SAE fraternity.

 

While many priests have supported and inspired my vocation, I recognize Bishops Francis Quinn and Richard Garcia, Jesuit Fathers Cornelius Buckley, Daniel O'Sullivan and Michael Barber and Brother Douglas Draper, SJ. Fathers Vital Vodusek, James O'Malley, Jack O'Neill and Ken Westray continue to inspire me. The Christian Brothers, Sisters of the Presentation and BVM's encouraged me along the way. My family has been incredibly generous and supportive. They are an incalculable source of love and their example is a profound grace to me.

 

Prior to seminary, I was a California Jesuit novice, served as an aide to former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown and held other positions within city government. In 2008-2009, I was in residence at Saint Sebastian in Kentfield, where Frs. Ken and Paul as well as the people confirmed my vocation to be a parish priest and brought me joy in serving others.

 

Aside from being a San Francisco Giants and 49er fan, I am a Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fanatic. I enjoy reading history and the works of theologians von Balthusar, Karl Rahner and Yves Congar. My favorite movies are "The Godfather I and II; favorite book is The Unmaking of a Mayor by William F. Buckley, Jr.

My favorite saint is Ignatius of Loyola and I recite his Prayer for Generosity each day: "Lord, teach me to be generous. Teach me to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not heed the wounds; to toil and not seek for rest; to labor and not ask for reward, except to know that I am doing your will. Amen."

I pray especially for those who so generously and lovingly give of their treasure and prayers to support the seminarians. Also, to the people of God who make saying "Yes! to the Lord truly a pearl of great price!