June 16, 2025

From Marine Corps to priesthood: Deacon John Paul Williams ready to serve

REGIONAL
By Carolee McGrath

SPRINGFIELD – It has been a long journey for Deacon John Paul Williams. He has always had a heart for the Lord and knew he was being called to serve in some way. But June 21, 2025, will be the culmination of years of prayer, discernment, courage and trust. He will be ordained a priest of the Diocese of Springfield at a special 11 a.m. Mass at St. Michael’s Cathedral which will be celebrated by Bishop William D. Byrne.

“We believe that God calls everyone to a specific vocation in life; some discover that earlier than others. At 42 years of age, everything in my life until now has formed and prepared me for the priesthood in some way. But reaching ordination brings a sense of anchoring I never had. I believe this is the definitive path of holiness God created me for,” Deacon Williams said.

Deacon Williams attended Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Mass. He grew up in a large, devout Catholic family outside of Washington, D.C. He is the youngest of 15 children. His father was a pediatrician and a widower with 10 children. A priest introduced his father and mother, and they had five more children.

He completed his undergraduate degree while in the U.S. Marine Corps. But he left the prestigious William and Mary College in Virginia at the age of 20 years old. It was post 9-11 and Deacon Williams wanted to serve his country. He did two tours of duty in Iraq. In 2005, he was sent to Fallujah where his older brother, a lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps, was also serving.

“My four years in the Marines were intense; they included two deployments to Iraq,” Williams explained. “I had friends die in combat. Their example set a high bar for me: ‘no one has greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends,’ as the Gospel of John says,” he said.

“There are parallels to the priesthood, but I don’t want to exaggerate them at the expense of anyone else’s. Thank God for the diversity of experience among priests; it helps us serve so many people,” he said. 

He spent some time in formation in the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. earning a master’s degree in philosophical studies at Mount St. Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, Md. He then taught in a Catholic school outside of Washington, D.C. and most recently at a Jesuit high school in Indiana. He said teaching religious studies was also an important part of his story.

“There is a debate sometimes whether faith is ‘taught’ or just ‘caught.’  I think most people can see how it is ‘both/and’ rather than just ‘either/or.’  Solid theology and catechesis matters, but so does lived experience outside the classroom, like direct service to the poor and elderly, retreats and pilgrimages, and fun extra-curriculars. I’m committed to helping schools, parishes, or youth groups find that balance.”

Locally, Deacon Williams has been assigned to St. Mary Parish in Lee summer of ‘22; St. Mary Parish in Longmeadow summer of ‘23; and Blessed Trinity Parish in Greenfield summer of ’24. 

He has accompanied youth groups to the Steubenville East Catholic Youth Conference; helped at Bible camps; and attends pro-life vigils including the most recent one held on Good Friday outside of Planned Parenthood. He said young people are critical among the ranks of Catholics.

“Regarding the younger generation, Bishop Byrne likes to say, ‘the youth are not the future of the Church, the youth are the Church.’  I’ve met some awesome youth in our diocese, from elementary schools through college. We also have some awesome young seminarians. There’s a lot happening here in Springfield. Everyone is invited to get onboard and come along,” he said.

During Holy Week he served at a Holy Hour for Western Mass College Catholics which was held at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield. He has this advice for young people who are trying to live their faith in a world that often ridicules Catholicism.

“Always face outward; never bunker down. There is deep disillusionment in the world and our witness matters; people take notice,” he said. “Blessed Carlo Acutis, soon to be the first millennial saint, said, ‘All people are born as originals, but many die as photocopies.’ Christianity allows us to be men and women fully alive. Our potential is found in freedom for God, not freedom from God. That is an attractive alternative to the deep unhappiness so many of our youth experience. So, let’s change the narrative that youth don’t go to church anymore by inviting your classmates, teammates, and co-workers to Mass with you,” he said.

Currently there are seven men in priestly formation. Deacon Williams said those considering a vocation have to go with the motto, ‘faith over fear.’

“God places a desire for authentic happiness, or divine friendship, in every human heart. So, first of all, I believe this is my path to that happiness. That is expressed specifically for me through the ordained priesthood, bringing the Word of God and sacraments to the holy people of western Massachusetts.  When you are convinced of that, any fears or obstacles tend to dissipate,” he said.