Meet Paulist Novice Robert Howley

Robert Howley joined the Paulist Fathers' novitiate at Hecker House in Washington, D.C., on August 24, 2026.

Robert comes from Royal Oak, Michigan, where he was first vice president, director of accounting, and head of SEC reporting for Flagstar Bank.

He holds a Master of Science in Accounting and a BA in Accounting from Michigan State University. Robert is also a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Michigan.

Robert described the emotional experience of caring for his mother while in hospice care that triggered his discernment of the priesthood.

“I started letting the idea of priesthood come into my head rather than repressing it,” he explained. “Along with that came an unexpected sense of love - for everyone - family, strangers, all of God’s people. Eventually, only a few days before my mom passed, that idea had developed into what felt like it might be a calling. By the day after she passed, I was all but certain it was a calling.”

Robert met the Paulist Fathers while watching with his mother televised Sunday Mass from the Cathedral of Saint Andrew in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The cathedral is served by the Paulist Fathers. He described how much they were both moved by the beautiful Masses celebrated by Paulist Fr. Dat Tran, rector of the cathedral, and Paulist Fr. Mike Cruickshank, an associate pastor.

“We often discussed how we appreciated the impactful homilies they offered,” he said. “Their love and devotion was evident at every Mass.”

“My Come & See retreat at Hecker House really sealed the deal for me in my desire to join the Paulists,” Robert recalled. “The Paulist Fathers, seminarians, and novices I met were all very interesting and diverse, with diverse and interesting perspectives as well - bound together not just by promises or vows, but by their shared love of Christ and missionary spirit.”

Fun fact about Robert: While in high school, he was often told by Catholics and non-Catholics that he would make a great priest.