St. John’s Prep H.S., Astoria, was delighted to welcome 2017 graduate Paul Pleho, who returned to his alma mater to assist at the Christmas Mass.

New seminarian Pleho resides at Cathedral Seminary House of Formation in Douglaston and attends class at St. John’s University in Jamaica.

Faculty recalled hearing Paul’s poignant words ‘today is the best day of my life!’ after he received his official acceptance into the seminary this past June.

Touting the community of support, both academic and spiritual, provided by his fellow seminarians, Pleho told the Prep underclassmen of the joys of his vocation.

Awed by his comments and presence, the Prep students witnessed the power of faith in the heart of one of their own.

Sophomore Anthony Rodriguez, an altar server at St. Leo’s in Corona exclaimed, “Wow! We are so happy for you!”

Back when he was a freshman in 2013 (photo, right) he was quoted in The Tablet’s Youth Views answering the following question: “What is an experience you are thankful for?” in which he answered: “One experience in my life that I am grateful for is being able to serve at the Mass with the priest. I feel very close to God while I am serving, and I feel that He wants me to serve Him.”