John was raised in a devout Catholic family by parents Mike and Ann Mawby. He and his one younger sister, Mary, grew up outside of Traverse City and his home parish Holy Rosary in Cedar. John attended the Grand Traverse Area Catholic School system, and after graduating from St. Francis High School, he attended Northwestern Michigan College and Michigan Tech.
In 2023, he graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering and a minor in manufacturing. John shares, “During college, I realized I need to pray more and take my faith more seriously. Despite my strong faith and upbringing, I never had a personal conviction of why I was Catholic or a real sense of purpose. During a particularly hard time, my mom encouraged me to pray the Rosary in solitude. While I prayed, I strongly felt God calling me to become a priest. This was a surreal experience, but I had such confidence in this calling that, after discernment with God and my spiritual director, I am now taking the first step and attending seminary [in the fall of 2023].”
John will be attending the Pontifical College Josephinum where he will be studying pre-theology (philosophy) and completing the propaedeuical year— a special phase of formation to introduce new seminarians to the discernment process. John is looking forward to this year of prayer, studies, and getting to know his brother seminarians, particularly those in this same propaedeuical year.
As a future priest, John shared that he most looks forward to offering the most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and fostering a devout love in the faithful of God and His Church.
In his free time, he loves to go hunting and fishing, playing sports, reading, completing projects around the house, and hanging out with friends and family. During the summers, he also loves to go water skiing with his dad and sister.
Watch John's story about becoming a priest.
Hear John's tips for discerning God's call.
