Alan Hoetker

Formation Stage

Pastoral Internship at Immaculate Heart of Mary

Home Parish

St. Timothy, Laguna Niguel

Seminary

Mount Angel Seminary

Favorite Saint(s)

St, Catherine of Siena, St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Margaret Alacoque, St. Maximus the Confessor, St. Augustine, St. Athanasius to name a few.

Favorite Marian Apparition(s)

Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mary Underdoer of Knots, and the Rosary.

Favorite Book or Movie

Gospel of John, Fr. Gabriel of Mary Magdalene 'Union with God'

Favorite Hobby

Sports (Golf, Soccer, basketball), playing music (bass, drums, guitar, singing), and being with friends and family.

Background

What are some of the factors that led to your decision to enter the seminary and discern the question of a vocation to the priesthood?

Over 12 years of prayer, discerning, and wrestling with God eventually lead me to the clear understanding God is calling me to the vocation of priesthood. I reached a place in my life where I only wanted to serve God and do His will. What God has in store for us is greater than we can comprehend or ever imagine. I have found this to be true each day I am blessed to wake up.

Who are some of the people who influenced your decision to enter the seminary? What is it about them that assisted you?

Monsignor Jack Campbell is a family friend. His presence visiting my parent's throughout the years has been a wonderful influence of the joy, and love of priestly service to God, and His Church. I experienced my first house Masses with Monsignor Jack. He challenged me in my mid-20's to lock into the vocation God is calling me too, and gave me spiritual reading books that really set me on fire to serve Christ and His Church. My parents and their regular witness to Christ unconditional love given to me and my brother. Many more, but too many to list.

Describe the moment that you knew you wanted to take the next steps to become a priest?

After 12 years of praying, discerning, and living, playing bass and singing back-ups in an alternative rock band with my brother for 20 years, while working many different jobs, I received a clear message from God in prayer to discern to be a Roman Catholic priest, and to love God with my entire heart forever. Through God's grace and guidance, this is what I have been pursuing through the assistance and direction of Bishop Vann, the OC vocations office (Fr. Brandon Dang, Fr. Cheeyoon), Monsignor John Urell, and Father Patrick Moses