Florida Catholic | ‘Living God’s dream for me’

GETTING TO KNOW A SEMINARIAN

‘Living God’s dream for me’

Published: 02.29.08

VALETA ORLANDO | FC

Seminarian Randy Allen from the Diocese of Orlando shares information about his life in this article in this occasional series of profiles of seminarians. Allen is a pre-theologian at St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami.

Born: Stuttgart, Germany, March 10, 1968.

Family: Father, Randolph E. Allen Sr.; mother, Marva Allen; younger sister, Angie Allen.

When did you enter the seminary? Aug. 9, 2007.

Education: John S. Burke Catholic High School, Goshen, N.Y.; associate degree in human behavior from Orange County Community College, Middletown, N.Y.; bachelor’s degree in social science from Mount St. Mary College, Newburgh, N.Y.; pre-theology certificate, St. Johns University, Queens, N.Y.

What did you do before becoming a seminarian? I was a caseworker.

Current responsibilities: Minister of the sick at a senior residence.

What do you do on your time off? I relax and watch TV.

Favorite movie: “Lord of the Rings” series.

Favorite TV series: “Eureka,” “Smallville,” “Pimp My Ride.”

When did you know you wanted to be a priest? During Mass at school when I was 15.

Vocation moment: World Youth Day 2000 as an event coordinator.

What would you be doing if you had not entered the seminary? I would continue to be a caseworker or teacher.

Favorite seminarian pastoral assignment: Missionary work and pastoral planning.

Greatest joy: Helping others discern/discover God’s dream for them.

What is your description of the ideal priest? Someone who is pastorally enriched and devoutly reverent.

Priestly stereotype that should be discarded: Those priests are elite.

Who was most surprised by your vocation? Oddly, no one — most believed I would work for the church in some capacity.

For what did the seminary not prepare you? How to be an active, compassionate listener.

What is your greatest accomplishment? Being on the Archdiocese of New York Board for Young Adults, 1998-2001.

What is your favorite type of music? I like all types.

What do you collect? Quarters representing each one of the United States.

What person do you admire the most? My uncle, Ronald Malcolm, (who) represented for me a man who was balanced, faithful and had charisma. He drew people by his intellect and passion to be a good Christian. He is still alive and a steadfast volunteer at this local parish in Palm Bay.

What do you fear the most? Never living God’s dream for me.

What is your greatest hope? To be ordained and actualized as God created me to become.

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