FR. RICHARD MCNEILLIE



Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese

Birthday: November 27, 1982

Ordination date: June 6, 2015 

Inspiration for priesthood: I don't remember hearing the word "vocation" until college. At that time, I had some friends who were considering the priesthood. They used to ask me if I was being called, but it was kind of a joke since I was dating someone at the time. I had to take their question seriously a few years later when I went on a retreat. In one of the meditations I was asked to imagine myself sitting across from Jesus. Between us was a box with his plan for my life inside. I could try to imagine what my vocation was, the good and the bad that might have been inside, but I couldn't open the box. Instead, the goal was to trust Jesus, and say "yes" to whatever he had planned. I couldn't do it. At that point in my life, I realized that his plans were probably different from mine. 

Months later, while in Houston for the Easter Triduum, the late Fr. John Weyer was reading out of the Diary of St. Faustina for the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday. Listening to that dialogue between St. Faustina and Jesus, I heard for the first time God telling me that he loved me. My life was never the same after that. I knew before that experience that God had something different in mind, but now I wanted that different something too. At the end of the day, my decision to become a priest was about desire. 

After that Good Friday experience, I wanted to dedicate my life to God and to serving others, much like St. Faustina had done. It took me a while to trust that these desires were a gift from God, but once I did, I've tried to follow my heart as much as possible.   

Favorite food: I eat like a Houstonian – meaning everything – and I love trying new things. My favorites include: bánh mì, tabouli, mole, and pizza.   

Favorite book: Anything written by Fr. Timothy Gallagher – great practical, spiritual writer. 

Favorite movie: (As of the last 6 months) Maggie, with Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

Favorite childhood memory: Playing shuffleboard with my family while visiting my grandparents.  

Favorite prayer or favorite way to pray: I love Ignatian Spirituality – a way of relating to God based on the life and teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Maybe it’s because I love to day dream or have such a vivid imagination that, like St. Ignatius, I enjoy day dreaming with God.  

Favorite scripture passage: Psalm 126 “What marvels the Lord worked for us!” 

Favorite pop singer or group: Taylor Swift… no not really.  I really enjoy a band called United Pursuit with singer Will Reagan.  

Favorite part of ministry: Listening. I enjoy listening to people’s stories and seeing how God is working in their lives.   

Currently reading: “Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives” by Richard A Swenson, MD.  

Surprise fact: I am an only child.   

Hobbies or for fun: Doing things in the great outdoors: camping, hiking... trying to play golf.