Meet our priests: Father Paul Soper
Parish/assignment: Blessed Mother Teresa, Dorchester
Place of birth: Weymouth
How many brothers and sisters do you have? 3
High school: Weymouth North High School
College/University/ Seminary
Undergraduate -- Harvard College
Graduate -- St. John’s Seminary
Date of ordination: 1990
What assignments have you had since ordination?
St. John’s in Wellesley; Campus Ministry at UMass Lowell and St. Rita’s in Lowell; St. Anthony’s in Revere; St. Alphonsus in Beverly/Danvers; Blessed Mother Teresa in Dorchester
What have been some of the greatest joys for you as a priest?
Saying Mass and preaching Holy Week and the Easter Triduum; LIFT
Who influenced your vocation most to consider the priesthood?
Father Dan Quinn
What events or practices in your life helped you to discover and discern your call to the priesthood?
A strong family upbringing, where Catholicism was integrated into daily life. Daily Mass when at college.
What is one of your favorite scripture passages and why?
The Road to Emmaus -- On the most important day in human history, Jesus spends most of it walking along with a couple of unknown disciples who are discouraged.
What are some of your hobbies?
Astronomy, electronics, computer programming, comic books.
What advice would you give to a young man who is considering the priesthood?
Go to daily Mass, establish a life of prayer, have regular conversations with others who are like-minded.
What are some of your favorite books/ spiritual reading/ magazines?
“The Lord of the Rings”, the letters of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Nuts and Volts magazine
Through the Cardinal, God is calling each of us personally to help rebuild His Church. How must the priest respond to this mandate today?
By being upbeat and positive about the life of the Church, by being open to the process of pastoral planning, by being faithful to a life of prayer
When Cardinal Sean came to Boston, he wrote a pastoral letter entitled: “Vocations: Everybody’s Business.” What are some ways that we can help all individuals and families understand their role in promoting and supporting vocations?
Having an active vocations committee in each parish, encouraging young people to consider vocations through youth ministry, Catholic schools, and other parish activities.