Father Frank Seabo stands at the baptismal font at Holy Infant Church, reflecting on his path from baptism to the priesthood. He came to North Carolina for his job, not knowing it would lead to discovering his vocation. (Lisa M. Geraci | Catholic New Herald) REIDSVILLE — Father Frank Seabo is celebrating his 25th anniversary as a priest in the Diocese of Charlotte. He recently took time for an interview with the Catholic News Herald to reflect on his vocation, what the Mass means to him, and what he likes about serving in a small parish:
Can you tell us a little about your upbringing?
Camden, N.J., is my home diocese. I have two brothers, Chip and Bob. My brother Bob is why I’m able to be here; he helps with my 91-year-old mother and cared for my dad. When I’m not at Holy Infant, I’m with my mother or brothers.
At my baptism the priest was going to baptize me “Francis,” but my father stopped him in the middle and said, “His name is Frank.” My father was a Methodist; he never converted, but it was his example that later inspired me to become a priest. He died around this time last year and I miss him terribly. Ma brought me up Catholic. My confirmation saint is Paul, and at the time I did not understand why I chose Paul because I was only 10. Now, though, it’s clear: Paul, like me, was a late vocation. I was ordained by Bishop William Curlin when I was 41.
When and how did you get your calling to become a priest?
I started my discernment late. I was 37 and an active member of the Diocese of Raleigh. I was a Grand Knight in the Knights of Columbus, and I had a good job training police officers in criminal investigations using my company’s technology.
Just like Jesus knocked Paul to the ground and Paul said, “Who are you, Lord?” I had a personal encounter. I heard it in 1991. I was going to church at Sacred Heart in Raleigh, and Monsignor Gerald Lewis gave a homily about service. He said the word “service,” and it was like I was the only person in the whole church. I ended up spending over four years denying the call, telling myself I can’t be a priest. I didn’t go to Catholic school. I was never an altar server. But the feeling wouldn’t go away.
It was the strangest thing during discernment – a letter arrived from a dear friend with cerebral palsy, who struggles to speak or write. She wrote she dreamed I would be a wonderful priest.
The second event was when my bowling buddy, 10 years my senior, always called me Frankie – a name nobody else used. Out of nowhere, he said, “Frankie, you know what? You would make a great priest.”
Then, a fourth-degree knight I knew, who was very honored and respected, was turning 70. I went up to him and said, “Happy birthday.” And he said, “Well, thank you.” And then he said, “But you know there’s something I always regretted.” He was very successful: wife, kids, grandkids, and he worked as a deputy. Very clearly, he said to me, “I always wanted to be a priest, but never could.”
How did you end up in the Diocese of Charlotte?
Father Frank O’Rourke and Bishop William Curlin got me started in the Charlotte diocese. I spent a year with the Raleigh seminarians, but not making an application. I talked to Father O’Rourke, who was a good friend of mine through the Knights, and said, “I don’t think Camden is right for me, and I don’t think Raleigh is right for me.” Father O’Rourke said, “Come westward, man.”
What do you like best about being a priest?
Mass is number one for me. And Mass comes in different forms, which keeps things interesting. Yet every Mass I say, I say it like it’s my first Mass, I say it like it’s my only Mass, I say it like it’s my last Mass. I love it. And, then from the Mass comes my ministry, because I have the readings, I have the prayers of the day, and then I have the people. The Mass fuels me – I can’t get enough.
My basic strengths outside the parish are visiting the sick, and inside the parish, teaching. I love to teach. I lead OCIA classes here and small retreats. I love sitting down with people, getting an idea of who they are and what they are about.
What are your favorite moments as a diocesan priest?
My most memorable things happen every single day. It has been 25 years, and I am not sure if there has been even a single day that was not unique. I look at people and I see Jesus. Seeing somebody smiling is enough to motivate me to keep going.
How does Holy Infant compare over your years of ministry?
I was first assigned to St. Lawrence Basilica and then St. Joseph in Bryson City, St. Margaret Mary Church in Swannanoa, St. Joan of Arc in Candler, then here. I’ve been in small parishes since the beginning. We are small, but we are very alive. Of course, you don’t always want a cookie-cutter parish, and this one is definitely unique. It was designed to look like a flower opening to the heavens. I am the longest-sitting pastor of Holy Infant since it started. This is actually the longest place I lived in my adult life. I’ve been here very happily for 12 years.
I’m not saying the world is perfect because this is not heaven, but I’m blessed here with a beautiful church family.
— Lisa M. Geraci