Keith
J. Hollis, O.S.A.
When did you first come to know the Augustinians?
Saint Augustine Parish in Troy, NY, was my home parish, and as my involvement at the parish grew, it quickly became a second home for me. I loved helping out at Saint Augustine’s, whether it was as an altar server or just doing general maintenance work around the church. I enjoyed being a part of the life of the parish, and so I found myself spending a lot of time with the Augustinians.
What was your impression of the friars at Troy?
The Augustinians at Troy were good, down-to-earth people who you could trust with questions. They were approachable, not pompous, and because of this I knew I could always go to them for guidance. Not only were these men important father figures in my life, but they were some of my closest friends. From this, the Augustinians became close with my entire family — and these priests are still iconic in the Hollis family. All because they were approachable. This is what is most appealing to me about the Augustinians. They are approachable, down-to-earth people, and I hope others see that in me now that I am an Augustinian priest.
What about your own vocation discernment? How did you know you were being called to religious life?
There wasn’t one moment, but rather a slow progression of moments of grace. Reflecting on all these little moments, it became obvious that there really was no other logical choice for me. Religious life appealed to me in the fourth grade, and that feeling just grew stronger over the years. I was energized by church stuff, and loved the idea that service in a parish made a difference in someone’s life every single day. By the end of high school I was pretty certain I wanted to give this way of life a shot. It had become the only lens to see my life through that made sense.
Did you ever have doubts about this decision?
Sure. It’s healthy to doubt. But I see the process as one where you recognize where God is pulling you, and then have the courage to respond. Looking back on it, I saw my life as a rudder, always heading in the direction I needed to go. Sure, there were moments of questioning, but that is the wonderful thing about the formation process. I chose this life out of freedom. At some point you begin to realize, “I could be anything I want to be, but I choose this — out of freedom.”
For me, the discernment process is all about having the courage to say “yes, for right now.” Then let things follow their course. That first decision to investigate religious life doesn’t mean you are making up your mind for good. Have the courage to say yes and see where God guides you.
It's obvious you are passionate about your work as a parish priest. What excites you about this ministry?
No day is the same. You can go from sharing in someone’s greatest thrill to someone’s greatest sadness in a matter of minutes. Small moments of ministry — like a simple conversation — can change people’s lives. My primary job as an Augustinian priest is to help people tend to their own religious life — to help them find God’s story in their own lives, helping them to see those grace-filled connections that will help them find their God.
As I tend to their spiritual life, though, they tend to mine, and I find myself meeting Christ through others meeting Christ. This reciprocity in an important aspect of an Augustinian parish — to empower others on their spiritual journey, and to travel with them on the way.