Mississippi soldier answers call to be a priest

At age 38, O'Connor certainly is familiar with secular life. He was born at Keesler Air Force Base when his father, the late Maj. Edwin O'Connor, was stationed in Biloxi, but the family (including mother Marian, three boys and two girls) moved away briefly, then back to Ocean Springs.

Michael Paul O'Connor is typical of those who grow up in South Mississippi, loving Saints football, fishing for speckled trout, boating. Graduation from Ocean Springs High led to a 1987 psychology degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, followed by a commissioning in the Air Force. Later he joined full-time the 255th Air Control Squadron of the Mississippi Air National Guard, and eventually got a private pilot's license.

For 15 years in the military O'Connor traveled to the jungles of Colombia, saw much of Europe, South America, even Korea. He witnessed the drug war and in 1999 spent six months in Kuwait. He dated and attended church on Sundays, as he'd done all of his life, though he had no particular involvement with the Catholic church other than attending Mass.

O'Connor's studies in New Orleans, parish work and personal insights are profound:

"I have changed. The time in seminary has been a time of prayer, a time of learning to appreciate silence and taking a step back from the hustle and bustle of the world. I think I've grown in virtue, and that indicates how much growing I had to do.

"I am truly looking forward to being a priest. Life is a gift, our redemption by Christ is a gift and the priesthood of Jesus Christ is a gift."

Article here.