Kieran Cabana, a new Master of Divinity student, is a young man whose journey into ministry has been marked by curiosity, thoughtful exploration, and a gradual, unmistakable sense of calling. Raised in the Baptist tradition, Kieran’s spiritual path led him eventually to the Anglican Church, where he has found a community and a form of worship that resonates deeply with him.
“I’ve tried all of them, and this is the one I like best. So, here I’ll stay,” he says of his decision to join St. George’s Anglican Church in Ste. Anne de Bellevue, where he has been attending for almost two years. Kieran quickly became involved in the parish’s life, offering his musical talents on the organ, sometimes filling in on Sundays, but more often leading music at a Wednesday service of Evensong.
His interest in theology, however, did not begin with Anglicanism. It began in the classroom. While pursuing a degree in political science and history, he took a course in Medieval Worldview, which required reading the Church Fathers. “I quite liked this interpretation,” he recalls. And that sort of propelled me closer towards Anglicanism.” What started as academic curiosity soon became a personal exploration of faith and vocation.
At first, he imagined a future in politics. “For the longest time, I thought I wanted to be a politician and go all the way up to prime minister,” he admits. But as he continued his studies, he found himself drawn increasingly toward theology. “Then one Palm Sunday, the priest gave this excellent sermon, and I said, ‘No, I’m pretty sure now that’s what I want to do. Forget the other stuff.’” That moment crystallized his desire to pursue ordained ministry.
Dio became a natural next step. “I was just across the street from McGill, and it seemed like common sense. Everyone here has been so welcoming, it immediately felt like the right place to be.” Already familiar with the academic environment, he appreciated the opportunity to combine rigorous theological study with active participation in a supportive college community.
The transition from the large lecture halls of political science and history to the close-knit environment of theological college has been both surprising and rewarding. “The amount of extra college responsibilities you have on top of your classes… it’s just not the same when you’re in poli-sci or history. They’re big programs; it’s not as much of a community. Here, you have all these community events, which are quite fun, because of that, you have extra responsibilities too. It just feels completely different.”
He is thoughtful about the challenges facing the Church today. He notes that declining attendance and the perception of irrelevance can threaten congregational life. “You can’t thrive if there’s no one in the pews, the building’s empty, and you have to shut the door and sell the place. If there are no Anglicans left, then we’ve messed something up.” He sees the task of ministry as a combination of faithful service and creative outreach: engaging communities, offering meaningful worship experiences, and staying committed to tradition without compromising the Church’s core values.
Looking ahead, Kieran is eager to learn all he can and gain practical experience in ministry. “I have no idea how to give a sermon, so hopefully by the end of the three years I have that down pat.” His approach combines humility, enthusiasm, and a clear sense of purpose: to serve God, to engage communities meaningfully, and to be part of a Church that both honours tradition and reaches outward.
“I’ve already made lots of friends, and I think things are going very well for me. So already I’m very satisfied with where I’ve ended up.” His story reflects the journey of a student who has navigated shifts in faith, explored vocation thoughtfully, and embraced the rich life of a theological community with curiosity, dedication and eager to meet the evolving challenges of the Church in the twenty-first century.
