Ernest "E.J." Cannon St. John Vianney College Seminary Sophomore Year Home Parish: St. Ignatius, Tarpon Springs

Ernest. is a native Floridian who grew up in Tarpon Springs.  He has one older sister and one younger sister.  E.J. became very involved in his parish's youth group while he was in high school and had the opportunity to deepen his faith through a number of retreats.  Ernest attended Tarpon Springs High School where he was on the wrestling team.  Ernest graduated in 2007 and has been attending St. Petersburg College since then.  Ernest enjoys spending time with friends and is known to be a good listener.  Realizing that listening to God is the most important thing in life, Ernest decided to set out on the road to priesthood.  He is a sophomore at St. John Vianney College Seminary.

Do your family and friends think it is a good idea that you’re becoming a priest? My family is supportive of the priesthood. My family loves me and wants the best for me in life. If priesthood is it, then they are with me.

Do you ever have any fun?  What do you do in your free time?  I like to play video games sometimes although I don’t have many computer games. I also enjoy a occasional movie. Uh I also like to shoot hoops and play soccer. We always have some form of exorcise here at seminary because a healthy body is a healthy mind.

If you were not a priest, what do you think you would be? I would probably be a college professor of biology and the sciences. I really like to teach and I also like making a difference in my community. That’s the best way I could do so.

How many brothers and sisters do you have?  I have 2 sister one older and one younger both in college.

What is your favorite TV program?  My favorite T.V. program is called Sanctuary it is on syfy on Friday nights at 10 PM eastern standard time. I like it because of it being a thriller and fairly interesting. Closely followed by a great show called Stargate Universe of course it shows at 9 P.M. eastern standard time. I haven’t missed an episode of either.

Who is your favorite singer or music group?  My favorite group is Shinedown probably because they have come out with music that I have enjoyed since I was young. They have really good messages in their music.

Do you ever get bored while studying to be a priest?  Honestly, not really. There is almost always something to do. If I am bored I should be doing something. I can’t remember when I was bored last actually.

How is a seminary different than a regular school?   The schedule challenges your body, emotions, spirituality, and your intellect every day. So it is forming you from a good man, to an even better one.

How often do you see your family? Every few months or so depends on the schedule. The breaks we have are every few months so I get to see them at the normal times that any college student would.

Can you really be happy as a priest since priests don’t make much money?   Yes there are so many things a priest would experience that money cant buy. A soul that is saved for Christ is priceless.

Who helped you decide to become a priest?  Everyone in my life and every experience in life have eventually pointed to this point in my life. I want to live my life for God there is nothing else that I could ever want.

What do you think the best thing will be about being a priest? Probably being able to call down the Holy Spirit on bread and wine during mass. All I want is to be able to do is give our God to people in some way every day.