Bob Angel St. John Vianney College Seminary
(Pre-Theology II) Home Parish: St. Raphael, St. Petersburg
Bob is a native of St. Petersburg who has one younger brother. He attended Holy Family Catholic School and then went to Northeast High School where he was on the swim team. He then attended the University of Florida where he received a Bachelors of Arts in English and History. Bob then enrolled in the Fire Academy and was subsequently hired by the City of Tampa Fire Department. Looking to put out eternal flames, he decided to give up his career with the Fire Department in order to pursue the priesthood. He is now in Pre-Theology II at St. John Vianney College Seminary in August. In his free time, he likes to play the guitar, lift weights, and go to the movies. His younger brother Dan is also a seminarian for the Diocese of St. Petersburg.
Do your family and friends think it is a good idea that you’re becoming a priest? My family wants my happiness, and for that I am truly blessed. They continue to stand by me during this journey, as well as a quantity of quality friends who will call me out when I need to be brought back down to earth. Those in my life who truly know me understand that I have wrestled with God for a long time over this vocation, and that here in the seminary is where I need to be so that God can lead me to the man I’m supposed to be.
Do you ever have any fun? What do you do in your free time? Fun? If you think that sports, cigars, musical jam sessions, late-night zombie movies, and a 6-hour game of Risk is fun, then yes……we have fun.
If you were not a priest, what do you think you would be? I daily pray that I am being called to be a father—it’s just up to God to point me towards which fatherhood He wants me to pursue. In terms of profession, I would love to return to the Fire Department, but I think I would also enjoy teaching in some capacity, especially to educate others on John Paul II’s Theology of the Body.
How many brothers and sisters do you have? I have one younger brother. He swims with Shamu.
What is your favorite TV program? Deadliest Catch and the Office. One show is a rip-roaring chronicle of men doing manly things in manly ways on the Alaskan Bering Sea. The other accounts the misadventures of the greatest boss in the world, Michael Scott.
Who is your favorite singer or music group? U2—I am a mildly obsessed fan. There are layers of spirituality in their songs that continue to articulate emotions and give me strength on my journey. I also love relaxing/studying to film scores (Gladiator, the Last Samurai, Lord of the Rings).
Do you ever get bored while studying to be a priest? I vaguely remember a 3-minute interval two months ago when I was bored. They’re always something to do here, be it academically, physically, spiritually, or just having time to chill with the guys.
How is a seminary different than a regular school? Unlike a regular university in which you are shuffled in, cough up your money, and walk out with a degree, here at the seminary you are being formed. You are being formed in a better human person and ultimately a better man. If you truly allow yourself to be humbled and honestly open heart to Christ, He will take nothing from you, but give you everything back. Trust me—I fought Him off for a long time.
How often do you see your family? It works out to about once a month average. I greatly value the time I can spend home with family and my close friends. It reminds me why I’m doing this in the first place.
Can you really be happy as a priest since priests don’t make much money? No amount of money you accumulate will ever satisfy that unquenchable human spirit for “more”. I learned early on that money does not equal happiness. Money provides comfort but not that warmth of human love, nor does it fulfill that human ache for the Divine. If I am breathing and there is a real presence of love in my life, what more do I need?
Who helped you decide to become a priest? Several great priests have stood before me as a model of a living Christ in the world. Their examples are the driving reason why I chose the diocesan path of priesthood—so that I could be “another Christ” for others as they were to me. The most influential priests in my journey thus far have been Fr. Tim Sherwood, Fr. Andrew Carl Wisdom, O.P., Fr. Ken Malley, Fr. Anthony Copolla, and Fr. Len Plazewski. I believe John Paul II continues to prayerfully guide me, as he truly opened my heart to Christ’s message—“Be not afraid!”
What do you think the best thing will be about being a priest? People are daily looking to fill that God-shaped hole. If God wishes to use me as such an instrument—be it through the sacraments or just in being a priestly presence—who am I to say no?
