Born in Northern Kentucky, Deacon Gross moved to Morrow, Ohio, with his parents and three sisters when he was four years old. His parents emphasized the faith in the home, Mass each Sunday, and prayer before meals. His childhood was full of adventure—canoe trips, Kings Island, impromptu sports competitions, video games, and more. He’s passionate about basketball and frisbee golf. His favorite saint is St. Alphonsus Liguori, whose books he likens to a spiritual “shot in the arm.”

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

The priesthood presented itself a few times in my teenage years, but I quickly dismissed it. In my last years at Ohio State University, God poured graces upon me in various ways, which prompted me to take my faith far more seriously than before. Returning to the Sacrament of Confession, praying more, and doing spiritual reading made me more open than I had ever been. During Eucharistic adoration on a “Cursillo” weekend in 2019, God made it abundantly clear that He wanted me to consider the priesthood. Filled with wonder at the ways of the Lord, I entered the seminary shortly thereafter.

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

My parents come to mind first: they brought me to the saving font of Baptism on March 24, 1996. In addition to always offering material assistance—every time I go home, Mom asks, “What supplies do you need?”—my parents have increasingly engaged with their faith and become well catechized. I appreciate talking with them and receiving their counsel for difficult situations. Both of my grandfathers continue living their faith with profundity and longevity—I am grateful for their witness. Among myriad other family members and friends, I mention my Uncle Chris, who invited me on the retreat where I heard God’s call more clearly than ever before.

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

Through these formation years, I became more reflective and a bit quieter. The seminary demands that a man’s prayer life becomes more regular and structured; not a “when I can get to it” but a first priority. While I certainly enjoy social outings and time with friends and parishioners, my day’s structure now clearly centers around prayer and Mass. I’m less interested in news and “macro” level politics discussions. I try to let the Church’s teachings guide the way I think and act, knowing there’s plenty of work to be done in both my own soul and the environments where the Lord has placed me.

What has surprised you most since joining the seminary?

How fun and enjoyable it can be to serve the Lord. By this point, everyone in our large class is quite familiar with one another. We know each other’s quirks and senses of humor and when it’s time to be serious or laugh and joke, though pranks are always within the bounds of Christian morality and never aimed at hurting or embarrassing a brother. We play a lot of sports and even won the big inter-seminary basketball tournament this year in Columbus, Ohio! There are times for serious conversation and deliberation, but overall, there’s been more enjoyment than stress.

What stood out during your internship year?

My internship year was very important. I was assigned to a young pastor, Fr. Zach Cecil, on Cincinnati’s west side, and he became a great friend and mentor and is like an older brother in ministry. We still communicate regularly. Fr. Zach involved me in parish life and shared his experiences with me. I discovered I love teaching, especially for OCIA. It is such a blessed and exciting gift to accompany others to the waters of baptism. Explaining what the Church teaches and why to those hungry for truth and wisdom is something I cherish deeply.

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

I am most excited about reconciling people to God and feeding the faithful with the Body and Blood of Jesus. A profound insight I learned is that the word “authority” has semantic connections to the Latin verb auger, which means “to help grow.” Helping others grow to become saints (and hopefully becoming one myself!) is what I’m aiming for. Having worked hard to become fluent in Spanish—most of my homilies and baptisms as a deacon have been in Spanish—I hope to help answer the request of several parishes for Spanish-speaking clergy. What I find most daunting is that, in accordance with James 3:1, those responsible for preaching and teaching others will be judged more strictly by the Lord at the end of their lives.

Deacon Curtis Gross has been assigned as Parochial Vicar to the St. Michael Archangel Family of Parishes which include:

• St. Augustine (Jamestown)
• St. Brigid (Xenia)
• St. Paul (Yellow Springs)
• Mary, Help of Christians (Fairborn)
• St. Luke (Beavercreek)
• Sacred Heart (New Carlisle