Chuck Dornquast was born and raised in Zephyrhills. He attended Zephyrhills High School where he was on the weightlifting team, played football, was part of the chorus, and other clubs, including TV production. He is an avid bowler, loves NASCAR, and likes to build models. He is a member of St. Joseph Church, Zephyrhills and graduated in May 2006 from Zephyrhills High School. Hegrdauated from St. John Vianney College Seminary with honors in May 2010 and is now in First Theology at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary.
Do your family and friends think it is a good idea that you are becoming a priest? My family’s great, they want me to be happy. Thankfully, they know that this includes sacrifice and hard work so they do good to remind me of why I’m doing this when I forget. But I do get ribbed pretty well by my siblings.
Do you ever have any fun? What do you do in your free time? I have loads of fun. Oodles actually. I enjoy playing soccer, Frisbee, ping-pong, pool, all sorts of stuff that normally, is happening with a bunch of other guys.
If you were not a priest, what do you think you would be? If I weren’t to be a priest, I could see myself traveling the world and studying cultures and languages. Thankfully, the Church to whom I’m dating is pretty universal.
How many brothers and sisters do you have? I have two brothers and two sisters. The youngest Nicole and older brother Jon live at home. My oldest siblings, Clint and Angela, live out in Oklahoma where they have begun their families.
What is your favorite TV program? I don’t watch too much T.V. But if I’m just channel hopping, I definitely stop on MythBusters.
Who is your favorite singer or music group? I like just about everything.. I did get to see Tom Petty in the Heartbreakers recently though. It was cool to see someone in concert that I’ve listened to all my life.
Do you ever get bored while studying to be a priest? Yeah, and normally they’re the worst days at seminary. When I can’t decide what I want to do when there is so much too do, it’s really an erosive feeling. Fortunately, friends have helped me see that even boredom shows my need for God and to take that feeling to Him.
How is a seminary different than a regular school? Ummmm, it’s amazing. I don’t know about “regular” schools but seminary doesn’t settle for less. The formation pushes us to look for Christ in everything.
How often do you see your family? Family is important, and seminary gives us the opportunity to be with them several times throughout the year. But even if I don’t go home, there is always this great invention called a phone.
Can you really be happy as a priest since priests don’t make much money? After recently remembering the joy experienced while on mission to the Yucatan peninsula, money isn’t the goal of my life. I like having some and enjoy spending some, but God does provide.
Who helped you decide to become a priest? Several priests were always around in my childhood. In these past few years of formation though, it’s been my rector, those at seminary, and friends.
When did you decide to study to be a priest? How did you know God was
calling you to be a priest? I decided again at the beginning of summer. I decided before I entered as a freshmen, as I entered and now again I am deciding to study in order to be a priest. I don’t know if God is calling me to be a priest. The thought of a priestly life still moves my heart though. That’s what I’ve got; it’s what He’s given me.
What do you think the best thing will be about being a priest? The role no, life of connecting the sanctuary to the steps of heaven in order to provide the people of God with his son is humbling and inspiring.
