John Buttner

Home Parish: Holy Family, Fairmount
Born and raised in Camillus, I grew up in a family where our Catholic faith has always been a priority. More than that, it has always been a foundation of our identity. As I grew up and got involved in the Holy Family Life Teen program I began to understand this critical distinction: that our faith is not something we do, it is who we are as Catholics.

Besides the youth group, I was introduced to St. Faustina’s diary, Divine Mercy in My Soul, when I was a sophomore in High School. As I was exposed to St. Faustina’s deep prayer life I began to look for God more intentionally in my own. There is something about St. Faustina that has always struck me deeply. Her sincerity, simplicity, her utter devotion and love for Jesus in the Holy Eucharist; I could not help but get drawn in by such a powerful witness to the love of Christ.

As I made my way through high school and college I continued to get involved and truly made my faith life my own, personal commitment as well as sought out different types of opportunities for ministry. That led me to work for the non-profit organization Nazareth Farm my first year out of college. Nazareth Farm is a home repair organization in West Virginia that provides service retreats for high school and college students. My year there made it apparent to me that I desire a life dedicated to ministry and service. I then spent two years back home in Syracuse while I discerned my next step. I didn’t expect that I would find myself entering the seminary, but here I am, and all I can say is that I am incredibly grateful for God’s gentle, guiding hand.

We all must have the faith of children, but the doctrine of theologians. -St. Josemaria Escriva