July 23

2024

Melbourne, Florida

St. Patrick's in Epworth

St. John Vianney College Seminary (Bachelors in Philosophy)

I worked in a brewery, pouring libations for the good people of Dyersville.

English(a little bit of Spanish)

Staying active, traveling, and eating fantastic foods!

I was born into Buddhism, and converted to Catholicism.

St. Maria Goretti

My favorite feast day is the "Feast Day of the Holy Family." It's the one day the Church in her wisdom celebrates the family in its entirety.

My name is Greg Lambert and I have been living and serving in the great state of Iowa since 2020. Even though I’m a transplant, I’ve been blessed to call Iowa my home due to the family I have in the area. Growing up the youngest of four siblings, I probably didn’t have the upbringing of one who would gravitate to the priesthood. I was the youngest child of fall away Catholics in a Hispanic household. Furthermore, I grew up practicing the religion of Buddhism, often attending meetings with my mother, and meditating with our family. Sometimes I still get questions about this part of my story but in reality, I don’t regret my introduction to organized religion. In a lot of ways, this is how I first learned to pray.

After my mother decided to turn back toward the Church and have her children baptized, everything was different in the household. We started going to mass and learning the scriptures. Still, I was looking for a purpose of what it meant to Catholic. What the point of pouring all one’s time into religion? What do I get out of it, you know?

My freshman year of high school I got invited to first my parish youth group event and never looked back. A group of people similar in age to me, with a fire for their faith was instrumental in the building of my own faith life. All of us grew in our faith together, and made memories doing it. I quickly became a leader within the group, and noticed a dormant potential not yet realized. It was this group that would introduce the word “vocation” to me.

I look forward to hearing confessions! One day, I hope to offer confessions for hours instead of 20 mins before mass.

Upon graduation from minor seminary, the entire graduation class went down to Key West(Florida), to celebrate completing our degrees.

The future holds something very special for me. I don’t know what it is quite yet, but I hope I’ll be ready when it comes.

Please pray that I may grow to become a generous priest that looks out for the good of the flock, and not for my own interests. I wish to do right to all the great priests that have had a hand in raising me to be a good man.