7 things to know about high school chaplains

Father Danny Grover, chaplain at Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School
Father Alex Kroll, chaplain at Mount Saint Mary Catholic High School
Father Linh Bui, chaplain at Cristo Rey Oklahoma Catholic High School 

Q: What is your confirmation name?

Fr. Danny: Daniel
Fr. Alex: Charles Borromeo
Fr. Linh: Paul (in Vietnam the name is given at Baptism, not Confirmation)

Q: What was your career choice as a child?

Fr. Danny: Actor or professional football player
Fr. Alex: Garbage man who rode on the back of the truck, later whatever would make me rich and famous
Fr. Linh: Priest

Q: At what age did you first think about becoming a priest?

Fr. Danny: 20 or 21
Fr. Alex: A junior in high school. One evening as I prayed in my room, I asked the Lord, “What do you want me to do with my life?” God responded, “I want you to be a priest.”
Fr. Linh: As a child, my mother took me to Mass every day. I really wanted to be a priest. He looked good. He had good food and a nice chasuble.

Q: What was your favorite band or kind of music in high school?

Fr. Danny: The Beach Boys
Fr. Alex: Indie music
Fr. Linh: Traditional Vietnam folk music

Q: What is your favorite junk food?

Fr. Danny: Candy bars and chips
Fr. Alex: Pizza
Fr. Linh: I don’t eat junk food much. I love bananas, but I couldn’t get them often in Vietnam. When we came here, I ate them a lot. A doctor said, “Your potassium is so high!”

Q: What skill or ability do you have?

Fr. Danny: I memorize a lot of random facts. I’m really good at trivia.
Fr. Alex: Singing. I like to play tennis, but I’m not that good at it.
Fr. Linh: I have skills for sports – volleyball, soccer, ping pong, swimming, fishing. And, I can play the drum set.

Q: How would your parents describe you?

Fr. Danny: Kindhearted (mom) and obstinate (dad)
Fr. Alex: My mom is my absolute biggest fan and so proud I’m a priest. My dad would say I’m a salesman, in a good way.
Fr. Linh: Caring and obedient


K.S. McNutt is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.