A religious sister challenged Father Evans Julce to live his faith more deeply, and that changed the course of his life.
Born and baptized at Holy Cross Church, East Flatbush, he is the second of three sons born to Haitian immigrant parents, Joseph and Marie Julce.
He began his schooling at St. Francis Xavier, Park Slope, and transferred to St. Teresa of Avila, when his family moved to South Ozone Park from Brooklyn.
He attended Bishop Loughlin M.H.S., Fort Greene; Leadership Secondary School, Manhattan; and Bayside H.S., where he developed an interest in film studies.
That interest became his major at Hofstra University, Hempstead, L.I., where he earned his bachelor’s degree in film studies with minors in English literature and philosophy.
He planned to be a police officer, public high school teacher or even a filmmaker but never a priest. He planned to get married and have children but never officiate over marriages and baptize children.
While at Hofstra, he became involved in campus ministry and joined the college’s pro-life group. He attended a pilgrimage to the March for Life in Washington, D.C., in January, 2005. On that pilgrimage, he met Sister Frances Gabriel, a Franciscan Sister from Alabama, who asked him over and over: “What kind of Catholic are you?”
At the time, he was doing many good things in his life, but he wasn’t going to Mass regularly and knew little about the Catholic faith.
“The Lord chose those words, through her, to spur me on,” he said.
Prompted by her challenge, he delved into the history and teachings of the Church and was captivated by what he learned. He began praying the Rosary and attending daily Mass at Our Lady of Loretto, Hempstead, L.I. It was there, while meditating on the Sorrowful Mysteries, that he felt God calling him to be a priest.
He started exploring religious orders and monastic life before realizing that he wanted to serve the people of his home Diocese of Brooklyn.
He enrolled at Cathedral Seminary Residence, Douglaston, and began studies at St. John’s University, Jamaica. He went on to Immaculate Conception Seminary, Huntington, L.I.; and St. Joseph Seminary, Yonkers, N.Y. He earned his master of divinity degree from the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception.
As part of his formation, he served at Presentation B.V.M., Jamaica, before spending his pastoral year at St. Clare, Rosedale, and his diaconate year at St. Bonaventure-St. Benedict the Moor, Jamaica.
In his priesthood, he looks forward to abandoning himself to the Lord’s will. He is most humbled by the prospect of administering the sacrament of reconciliation, which he sees as an opportunity for “conversion and great teaching.”
His parents will attend his ordination along with his siblings, Donald and Juvens.
Father Julce will offer his First Mass of thanksgiving at Presentation B.V.M. on Sunday, June 29 at 9 a.m.
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I have been very blessed to be able to receive the sacrament of reconciliation from Father Evens. He shows me how truly forgiving and loving God is. Father Evens listens quietly, and when you are done in a whispering voice explains things for you to consider and perhaps do. You know he has taken in everything you have said and has given it much consideration before speaking. When I leave I am so anxious for the mass to start. I want the Eucharist! I need Jesus in me. At mass if Father Evens is presiding I know I am doubly blessed. I will leave knowing through the Eucharist Jesues is in me and He will be my all. Once you receive Him there is nothing else you could want. With Father Evans I receive another gift. During his homily he will say something that will stay with me and remind me who I am and what I should be doing. To learn something you can take with you and use to help bring others into the faith is a blessing. As I watch Father Evens during the service, I truly see
the mass coming to life as I wait for Jesus. Thank you Father Evens.