Deacon Homoelle grew up in a loving family in Cheviot. He is the oldest of four, with two brothers and one sister. His fondest memories include visiting his grandparents’ condo for summer vacations and traveling out West to see Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone National Park. He loves the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou and watched it many times with his dad. While the film is very funny, Deacon Homoelle said it also helps you focus on what matters in life. His favorite saint is St. Maximilian Kolbe, who reminds him of the importance of living virtue daily to prepare for the times when God asks great things from us.

When did you first think you might have a call to the priesthood?

After meeting the Jesuits as a student at St. Xavier High School, I was excited by their lives, was convinced I was called to be one of them, and tried to enter their order after graduation, but I had to wait until I at least had a bachelor’s degree. While studying at Bowling Green State University, I met FOCUS missionaries then began meeting regularly with the diocesan priest at the St. Thomas More Newman Center there, which revealed a greater call to the diocesan priesthood. This led me to apply to Mount St. Mary’s for Seminary in December 2019.

Who are the people who have helped you the most on your journey? How did they help you?

Without FOCUS and their missionaries, I do not believe I would have discerned my call to the priesthood. Their discipleship model of evangelization, Bible studies, and conferences like SEEK and Student Leadership Summit contributed immensely to my formation by teaching me the Faith. I learned that the Catholic Church’s doctrines and dogmas are true and beautiful—in a way I had not previously experienced. This enabled me to hear God’s call more clearly. I also attribute much of my discernment to the Jesuits at St. Xavier High School and Fr. Jason Kahle. These priests were willing to spiritually direct and help guide me through the process of discerning.

What changes in yourself have you noticed since formally saying “yes” to the priesthood?

An advisor said it best: at a certain point, a seminarian needs to move from discerning whether he is called to the priesthood to discerning what sort of priest God is calling him to be and how is the life he is living preparing him for that. I’ve had to examine my life and interests, how I organize my time, and the people I surround myself with, all in the context of: “Is this preparing me to be the priest God is calling me to be?” The man you are in seminary is going to be the same man you are when you are ordained. Ordination does not magically make you a more virtuous and holy person; it takes work to participate in God’s plan for your life. Just as married persons are no longer individually their own once married, so the priest is no longer his own once he is ordained. Every part of his life must be oriented to what he has committed himself to.

What has surprised you most since joining the seminary?

People’s generosity toward seminarians surprised me. Throughout seminary, so many people have prayed for me, offered to pay for meals, told me how thankful they are that I am discerning this call, and generally encouraged me in my vocation. It has been one of my greatest joys in seminary to experience the charity of God’s people, a kindness I will never be able to fully repay.

What stood out during your internship year?

How totally a diocesan priest gives his time to the parish stood out for me. On multiple days, the priests left at a moment’s notice to anoint someone in the hospital or traveled from a Mass to a funeral to a wedding to a baptism—all in the same day. The total gift of the priest to his people became apparent through the priests I witnessed during my internship.

Following the ordination, what aspect of your vocation are you most excited about? What part feels most daunting?

I am most excited about celebrating Mass and hearing confessions. All my life, I have seen priests doing these and thought how amazing it would be to do so myself. The closest we get to heaven in this life is at Mass, and after the Eucharist, the greatest gift God has given us is the ability to be reconciled with Him through the Sacrament of Penance. Being the minister of these two sacraments is the aspect of priesthood I most look forward to. As with any vocation, the most daunting part is the responsibility that comes with it. The responsibility of a priest is for his parishioners’ souls. The priest bears responsibility for every soul lost that God could have brought to Himself through that priest. 

Mr. Rev. David B. Homoelle has been appointed Parochial Vicar of St. Gabriel, Glendale; St. John the Evangelist, West Chester; and St. Michael, Sharonville, effective July 1, 2026.