Sharpsville native, Kennedy Catholic graduate ordained a priest in Erie
SHARON, Pa. (WKBN) — A big step of faith for a Sharpsville native and 2015 Kennedy Catholic graduate.
Reverend Michael Christopher Scanga was ordained Friday into the sacred priesthood. He was one of two men who officially became priests in the Diocese of Erie at St. Peter Cathedral. The other was the Reverend Brandon Matthew Feikels. Both graduated from Gannon University.
Scanga said the Cathedral was packed, and he was so grateful for the support.
'It really is an incredible time. It was overwhelming for me. I felt like my emotions needed time to catch up to what just happened, because my heart was just so full,' Scanga said. 'But it was also so beautiful for me to see the faces of my family and of my friends.'
Scanga credits his family and the Shenango Valley Catholic community for instilling his faith.
'The perspective I have now, I just really appreciate the teachers I had in school; they really believed in me and all my peers,' Scanga said. 'I encountered Jesus through people in my life who were praying every day.'
After high school, Scanga did not join the seminary right away, instead studying psychology at a Franciscan university in Steubenville.
'All my friends thought that I was going to go to seminary right away, but I needed some time to sort of figure it out,' Scanga said. 'I went in different directions in college, but ultimately, at the end, I still felt called to be a priest. I couldn't deny it.'
Scanga said the biggest moments for him during his time at the seminary were every day moments with fellow seminarians and the relationships he built along the way.
'I've never laughed harder in my life than in seminay,' Scanga said. 'People have this exalted view of seminary, and it is a beautiful place, but it's so human in the best of ways. All of us are just real with each other…we're learning and growing together.'
Scanga said he encourages all men, Catholic or not, to explore their faith and be open to being a priest.
'There aren't a lot of [priests]. We need more to take care of our people,' Scanga said. 'Don't be afraid. Jesus still calls people today, and it's worth it.'
Scanga has been assigned to Saint James' Parish in Erie, where he served while he was in the seminary.
On June 7, Reverend Travis Seagraves will be ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Youngstown.
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