Spring Break
New priest brings youthful insight to Kingston campus
Chloe Thompson
Issue date: 9/9/08 Section: News
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Maybe that's because the new priest - ordained four years ago - is only 30 years old.
Glover acknowledged his age as a positive side of his job and said he is here to be a friend who will help a student find their faith.
"I'm not big into authority, I'm not big into lording over people to say 'I'm here and I know everything, and I'm going to show you what it means to be the perfect Christian," he said. "I'm not here to be one of the kids, but I'm just going to be myself, and that's sometimes going to look like I'm a graduate student or whatever, but that's who God made me."
As an avid golfer, lifelong Rhode Island resident and a fan of Dave Matthews Band, Coldplay and U2, the man who describes himself as "easygoing and approachable" might be just what URI needs to communicate with the younger generation of students.
"My whole thing is, I know I'm very charismatic and passionate about God, and that's the central part of who I am," Glover said.
He compared those who are actively involved with their faith to those who attend church as a chore.
"It's the difference between listening to elevator music or listening to Barry White," he said. "[Barry White has] the type of songs you dance around your room with, or in front of the mirror. I think if you have faith in God, it energizes you, and I hope overall that's what the Catholic Center will do."
Glover is passionate about his career path, though he may not have reached it in the most traditional way. His youthful experience with the church involved his parents dragging him "kicking and screaming" to attend Mass.
Eventually, though, Glover wound up at seminary school, but would take a hiatus to attend Providence College. In college, Glover was an orientation leader and was actively involved in intramural sports. He even had a two-year relationship. But ultimately, he decided his love for his girlfriend was too narrow of a focus.
"I felt a strong call in my heart, not just to love one person, but to give my life for him in service to his people," Glover said.
Glover then traveled to Washington, D.C., to teach middle school history and English at Little Flower Catholic School.
