Richard Breton

Home Parish: St. Joseph-St. Therese Parish, New Bedford, MA

Seminary Attended: Holy Apostles College and Seminary, Cromwell, CT

High School: New Bedford High School, New Bedford, MA

College: Bristol Community College, Fall River, MA

Hobbies: I enjoy horseback riding, swimming, and bike riding. I also enjoy Sacred Music and Sacred Art.

When was the first time you thought of or about becoming a diocesan priest?

My realization that I was being called to the Priesthood happened early in life. I remember coming out of church with my parents when I was about 5 or 6 years old. I told my parents that I wanted to be a priest. From that moment on, I have felt the calling only get stronger. I can remember as a child pretending to say Mass at my grandmother’s house. She was very influential in supporting my vocation. I would say that she watered the seed of my vocation. Almost weekly she would take me downtown to Our Lady’s Chapel in New Bedford, MA and we would attend Mass together. I would sit in awe as I watched the movements of the priest. I continued this while being an Altar boy in grammar school and High School. I always felt my vocation, but through these years it only grew all the more.

What were major Catholic activities you participated in prior to attending the seminary?

Prior to attending the Seminary, I worked in a parish as a Master of Ceremonies to the Pastor, Rev. Roland J. Bousquet. It was through Father’s example of priestly life that I entered the seminary. His courage and support helped to make the transition from High School to Seminary easier. I remember in the parish assisting with the training of servers and helping during Holy Week Liturgies. I was also a member of the Boy Scouts. In 1997, when my parish merged with, St. Joseph Parish to become the new one of St. Joseph-St. Therese, I had an active role in helping with the merger. I was on the committee to help with the merger and served both the closing and merger Masses that were associated with these 2 parishes. This new parish of St. Joseph – St. Therese is where I will be celebrating my First Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, June 1, 2008.

Who influenced/inspired you to consider diocesan priesthood? Please explain.

When I was a youngster, I had a priest who for me was great; Fr. Brian Harrington gave me First Communion and was a priest whom I wanted to imitate. It was through his example that I thought about diocesan priesthood.

What would you say to a young man who thinks he may have a priestly vocation?

A priestly vocation is a precious gift that needs to be formed according to the Church. I can remember thinking that my vocation was to decide what I would do with. I came to realize that a vocation to be a priest is a gift given to us from God. It is not ours to grow in the way we think we must grow, but, the Lord’s gift to us for the Church. We must be willing to allow the Church’s Seminaries and others to help us when we are on the journey. Remember that our vocation is a gift not for us, but, for the Lord and his Church.

What activities would you recommend in order to help foster a culture of vocations to priesthood or religious life?

I think that I would try the Quo Vadis Vocation Programs in the Diocese. I know that in the Diocese of Rockford, this program is used in the Schools to promote vocations. It is working very well.

What was your career or background before entering the seminary?

Prior to Seminary I worked as a Manager for Friendly’s Ice Cream Corporation. I worked there, but knew that the Lord was calling me to the Priesthood so I returned to the Seminary.

Please describe the importance of prayer in your life.

Prayer is the most important thing in the life on someone thinking about being a priest. Spend time before Jesus and speak to Him asking for his guidance and help on the vocational journey.