May 9, 1998 December 1, 2001
Fr David Grainson M.Div., L.M.S.W.
The Journey
I was born and raised in Baltimore MD in a very traditional Catholic
home. It was here that I first learned the power and the true good of faith.
After graduating with my Bachelor's in Psychology in ‘91, I entered the
seminary to study for the priesthood. I studied for 7 incredible years.
At the end of my 7 years, on May 9, 1998, I was ordained a priest in
Washington DC.
The Desert
One month later, I found myself on my first assignment in the West Indies
on the island of St Lucia (not the tourist side either). Without all the
distractions I was surrounded with before, I came to face the reality of
who I was, or who I was not. I was not meant by my God to be a celibate
man, but I was called to be a priest. My ministry as a priest was, and
continues to be, a source of great joy. After 3 years in my assignment
and 3 agonizing months at the end, I discerned that celibacy was not
what God called me to, though priesthood was. And so I left celibate
ministry and moved to NY.
Home
A very close friend, my best friend, with whom I had worked as a priest,
also lived in NY. She helped me through those first weeks and months.
Sarajean and I were married on Dec 1, 2001.
Now we live in our home on Long Island with our sons Luke, Matthew
and David whom God has blessed us with.
We both continue to minister as parents, spouses, in our work with
persons with mental illness and to the People of God who are the
Church.
