Fr. Jonathan Raia

Fr. Jonathan Raia, Associate Pastor 

Associate Pastor  

Office e-Mail:  frjonathan@saintwilliams.org

Fr. Jonathan Daniel Raia was born and raised in Houston, where his parents still live. His parents were very faith-filled and emphasized strongly a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus. He attended Catholic school from 3rd through 12th grade, and in his parish, he was an altar server and was active in the youth group. He swam competitively for about ten years and also coached summer league swim teams. He had been attracted to the priesthood from about age seven, mainly because of the example of the priests in his parish, but he discerned his vocation most seriously while at the University of Texas at Austin. While a student at UT, he was very involved in the University Catholic Center, where his faith grew and matured through prayer, retreats, and opportunities for leadership and service. During his last years in college, Jonathan also worked for the Diocese of Austin. Jonathan graduated in 2002 with a B.A. in Plan II (Liberal Arts) and Spanish and entered seminary that fall. He spent two years in philosophy studies at Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving, then four years of theology at St. Mary's in Houston, plus a pastoral year at Holy Family Parish in Copperas Cove. Ever since he spent his first summer as a seminarian at St. Helen in Georgetown, Jonathan has considered it his home parish. He was ordained a deacon on May 17, 2008 and ordained to the priesthood on June 6, 2009. He is humbled and grateful for the gift of the priesthood and the opportunity to serve at St. William.