A Calling That Wouldn’t Let Go: John McCaslin’s Journey to the Priesthood
Once upon a time, a young boy named John McCaslin began to ask deep questions—about God, about the world, and about what it meant to live a life that mattered. Growing up in a faith-filled home, those questions didn’t go unanswered, but they also didn’t go away. As he got older, John found himself drawn more and more to the Church—not just as a place of worship, but as something that tugged at his heart.
Instead of entering the seminary after college, John followed a more conventional path. He entered the workforce, built a life, and tried to find fulfillment through a career. But no matter how far he went, the call never quite left him. It returned in quiet moments—in prayer, in the people he encountered, in the ache for something more.
Eventually, he couldn’t ignore it any longer. At the age of 31, with a new sense of clarity and courage, John left his job behind and entered the seminary. It was a leap of faith—but he didn’t leap alone. The support of the United Catholic Appeal made it possible for him to begin his formation without the burden of tuition or financial anxiety. More importantly, it connected him to a community of believers who were spiritually and materially invested in his vocation.
Every day since his ordination in 2002, that vocation has unfolded in powerful ways. As a parish priest, he has ministered in both Anglo and Hispanic communities, pastored parishes in urban and suburban settings, and served as a chaplain for the Indianapolis Fire Department. Today, he continues to lead at St. Monica Parish in Indianapolis, where he also serves as dean of the West Deanery.
WATCH THE STORY : Fr McCaslin Catholic Schools
A Lifelong Support: How the United Catholic Appeal Sustains Priests Like Father McCaslin
Throughout his years of active ministry, the United Catholic Appeal has remained a quiet but vital presence in his life—funding retreats, leadership training, continuing education, and even cultural immersion programs that helped him better serve his Spanish-speaking parishioners.
But even now, as he gives so much of himself, Father McCaslin is sustained by the knowledge that he is not alone. He’s part of a network of support that will remain with him for a lifetime—including one day in retirement, when that same generosity will help provide housing, medical care, and community for him and for the many priests who came before.
WATCH THE STORY : Beauty of a Growing Church
Father McCaslin’s journey is just one example of how the United Catholic Appeal walks with our priests through every stage of their lives—beginning in seminary, through active ministry, and into retirement. It is an investment not only in individual vocations but in the spiritual life of our entire Archdiocese.
When you give to the United Catholic Appeal, you ensure that our priests can continue to grow, serve, and be cared for. You make it possible for the Church to form holy leaders, accompany them in their mission, and honor their service with dignity and love.
