From time to time, we feature a profile of one of the Saint Benedict Parish staff members so parishioners can get to know them a little better and get a better sense of what they do at the parish. This month, we’re featuring our seminarian intern, Eran Amarasingha.

What’s your job title?
ERAN: I am the seminarian intern at Saint Benedict Parish; I'm a seminarian with the Companions of the Cross.

What staff team are you on?
The Parish Leadership Team and the Preaching Team.

Where are you from originally?
Depends on how ‘original’ we're talking about. I was born in Sri Lanka. Then I migrated to Canada in 2008 with my family and lived in Toronto. When I joined the seminary, I lived in Combermere, ON and Ottawa for one year, and then spent four years in Detroit, MI.

How did you discern to go to seminary? Do any moments in particular stand out as especially important for your journey? 
When I was younger, I had many people, including priests, approach me and ask me if I wanted to be a priest, but I didn't take that question seriously at the time. After I had a re-conversion to my faith in university, that question resurfaced. Then, it was at a weekend retreat, when I was praying in front of the Blessed Sacrament, that I felt convicted that God might be calling me to the priesthood and that I should take a serious look at this possibility. I explored the Archdiocese of Toronto at first, but then I ran into the Companions of the Cross. When I visited them it felt like home, so here I am.

What did you do before you worked at Saint Benedict Parish?
I had finished a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy and started a Master's degree in Theology at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit.

What was a key moment in your faith life that you can share with us?After I encountered Jesus at a retreat and I had a re- conversion, I got connected with different prayer groups and youth/young-adult groups. These Christian communities really helped me sustain and grow in my faith, and I made many life-long friends along the way. Community and fraternity played a huge part in my faith journey, and that is part of the reason why I also felt called to the Companions of the Cross. Even though
I'm an introvert, I think I'm naturally a team player and I love sharing my life with my brothers and also ministering with them.

What made you decide to come here? (Or were you just sent here?)
I had heard great things about Saint Benedict Parish and Divine Renovation and I wanted to do my internship here, so I requested to come here.

What do you like to do outside of work?
I enjoy watching movies and shows, playing and listening to music (I play keyboard/ piano and guitar), playing board games, and cooking. And I also like napping and fried chicken!