When Everest Academy students arrived to their seats for weekly Mass last Friday there was an unfamiliar face on the altar. As students settled down after the Gospel reading, Fr. Terrance Allen, LC, asked the group who was in sixth grade. He went on to share with the students that he had worn the same uniforms they wear when he was a sixth grade boy.
Fr. Terrance attended Everest Academy as a sixth grader in 1998-1999. He even had Mr. Reichert as a teacher. Since then Fr. Terrance attended the minor seminary of the Legionaries of Christ and proceeded with his studies for priestly ordination. He was ordained a deacon in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Detroit by Archbishop Allen Vigneron at the end of January. He was ordained a priest on May 4 this year in St. John Lateran Basilica in Rome. Not only did Fr. Terrance attend Everest, he is also the older brother of EC alumni Donald ’12, Mary Jo ’14, Luke ’16, and Katelyn Allen ’19.
Father went on to share more of his story about finish his unique mission in life as a priest through the encourage of Fr. Lorenzo Gomez, LC, founder of Everest. The day’s Gospel spoke about taking up the “yoke” of God’s will in our lives (cf. Matthew 11:28-30). Father encouraged the students to realize that the rules that exist in our lives or in the school are more than just rules, they are an opportunity to fulfill God’s will in our life.
Thank you, Fr. Terrance, for your visit. The Everest students pray for vocations and for priests in a special way. Everest middle school boys have the opportunity each fall to visit Sacred Heart Minor Seminary in Indiana with dean of discipline, Mr. Cross, to learn more about the seminary and the priesthood.
