Erin Donlon

Pastoral Year
Archdiocese for the Military Services USA, Washington, D.C.

My name is Erin Donlon, I’m originally from Good Shepherd Parish in Saco, Maine. I was born into a devoutly Catholic family of seven kids.  I was homeschooled through high school and graduated in 2012. From a very young age, I was introduced to the catechism of the Church and attached a great importance to the Mass and the sacraments. I started as an altar server when I was eight and was extremely involved with serving at St. Joseph Church in Biddeford. In high school, I was involved in a local discernment group but never really put much serious thought to entering seminary. I ended up attending and graduating from Maine Maritime Academy. While I was there, I helped start a College Knights of Columbus Council and also a Catholic group, where previously there had not been one.

I didn’t really start to discern the priesthood seriously again until I was overseas in Japan working for a military supply company. While I was there, I saw the desperate need for priests, not just here in Maine but also for the Armed Services. While I was in Japan, I suffered a shoulder injury that required me to come home. Oddly enough, because of that, I was able to attend an ordination Mass for the first time. After that, I really started receiving the sacraments more frequently and attending Mass as much as I possibly could.

I graduated from Maine Maritime in December 2017 and have been accepted as co-sponsored seminarian for the Diocese of Portland and the Archdiocese for the Military Services. I attended Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and am currently in a pastoral year, serving with the Archdiocese for Military Services. I’m extremely excited to be a part of this diocese and am looking forward serving the great people of Maine.

Fun Facts:

Hobbies: Hiking, marathon running, swimming, golf, traveling, Scouts, baseball, football

Favorite Authors: J.K. Rowling, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Dale Carnegie, Anton Meyer, John Grisham, C.J. Box

Favorite Music: Kenney Chesney, Brad Paisley, Alan Jackson, Classic Rock

Favorite Movies: Lord of the Rings, American Sniper, The Scarlet and the Black, Hacksaw Ridge, Rules of Engagement, Marvel movies, the original Star Wars

Favorite Foods: Pizza, beer, lasagna, cheesecake, breakfast foods, steak, and seafood.

Favorite Bible Passages: 2 Timothy 4:7, 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27, Matthew 19: 16-24

Favorite Sports Teams: Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins, Navy Midshipmen.

Favorite Saints (and Future Saints): St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. John Paul II, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, Fr. Vincent Capadonno, Fr. Emil Kapaun.