While a priest for less than week, Father Zachary Goodchild’s calling to the vocation was evident to many several years ago.
The diocese’s newest priest, ordained by Bishop Earl Fernandes on Saturday, May 23 at Columbus St. Joseph Cathedral, exhibited signs of spiritual fatherhood and interest in the faith before stepping foot in seminary.
Liz Christy, associate director for the Office of Marriage and Family, part of the diocesan evangelization office, knew Father Goodchild before his seminary days. The now-priest belonged to Pickerington St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Christy’s home parish.
She recalled a day in the late fall of 2018 when Goodchild, then a recent college graduate, asked to talk.
“I wondered if he was considering a vocation to the priesthood, and I hoped that was what he wanted to talk about,” she recounted. “Sure enough, he asked what I thought about him possibly becoming a priest one day. We spoke for quite a while, as one does when they speak with Zack.”
Christy, then Seton Parish’s director of evangelization and assistant music director, encouraged Goodchild to pray, attend Mass as often as possible and contact the diocese’s vocations director when he was ready.
In the following months, faithful at Seton Parish began to catch on, wondering if their fellow parishioner might be set for the priesthood.
Father Goodchild, 30, became increasingly involved in the parish. He had returned home to Pickerington after graduating from Ohio Northern University in 2018.
He took on roles in parish youth ministry, volunteered with adult faith formation activities and joined the church choir.
“Perhaps an early sign of a future vocation was the hunger he had to learn more about the faith and share it with others,” Christy said. “He would ask very insightful questions so that he could learn.
“He would pose questions to those around him to spark their interest in the faith. People were very clearly drawn to him.”
After leaving his position as an actuary with Nationwide Insurance in Columbus, Father Goodchild accepted a janitorial position at Seton Parish as he discerned his vocation.
“He joyfully cleaned and helped care for the parish and grounds, often singing as he worked,” Christy recalled.
“He would make time for important conversations and connections. He was already ministering to so many people, and I don’t think he fully realized the impact he was making.”
The young man later took on a role as a catechist at the parish, while continuing to volunteer and serve in various capacities.
By August 2020, Father Goodchild’s discernment was set in motion. He entered the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus to study for the priesthood.
The then-seminarian’s visits home drew a significant number of faithful at Seton Parish. Parishioners enjoyed having him at Mass.
“A greeting line always formed afterward, and it would often take an hour for everyone to have a chance to speak with him,” Christy recalled. “He graciously made time for everyone, remembering important details about each person’s life.”
In seminary, Father Goodchild’s assignments brought him to several places and parishes.
Last summer, he served at St. John Paul II Scioto Catholic Parish (Portsmouth Holy Trinity, Holy Redeemer, St. Mary of the Annunciation and Wheelersburg St. Peter in Chains churches).
He assisted the parish as a transitional deacon, also spending time with the Leaven Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (LIHM), who serve in Portsmouth.
“I thought (Father) Zack was personable: he communicated well and put people at ease. He had a good work ethic and was present to the people, attending various activities in our four campuses as his schedule allowed,” said Sister Chiara Francisco, LIHM.
The religious sister serves as director of religious education and a religion teacher at Portsmouth Notre Dame High School. Father Goodchild visited the Notre Dame elementary and high schools during his Scioto County assignment.
“He … interacted well with children and youth,” Sister Chiara recalled. “He did his best to reach out and serve our Hispanic community, making the most of the opportunities given him to improve his Spanish.
“(Father) Zack had a joyful disposition and an evident zeal for souls. He showed obedience and gratitude for the liturgical, sacramental and administrative opportunities. After a full day’s service, he was often seen going to Adoration.”
Summer seminary assignments included Spanish immersions in Columbus and at Casa Hogar in Lurín, Peru.
He was also assigned to Columbus St. James the Less Church, a predominantly Hispanic parish.
He served alongside the church’s pastor, Father Steve Dos Santos, C.PP.S. of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. “He’s a really, really great, personable guy. He’s very devout,” the priest said of Father Goodchild.
As a seminarian, he helped with the parish’s Order of Christian Initiation of Adults program for individuals entering the Church. He continued serving at St. James the Less during his transitional diaconate year.
Father Goodchild spent weekends at the parish, joining the four Missionaries of the Precious Blood on Saturdays for a meal and Vespers, or Evening Prayer, part of the Church’s Liturgy of the Hours prayed daily by clergy.
He had conversations with Father Dos Santos, and the two discussed various aspects of the priesthood.
The church’s parishioners responded well to their deacon.
“When he’s scheduled to preach a particular Mass, sometimes he’s still outside talking, and we’re like, ‘Okay, you need to get in here soon,’” Father Dos Santos recounted. “He’s really good about being present to the people.
“He’s a very conscientious minister,” the pastor affirmed. “I’m confident he’s going to be a good priest, and he’s going to serve the people of God in the Diocese of Columbus well.”
“Our Diocese of Columbus is very blessed to have him as a priest,” Christy added. “His life and witness will without a doubt inspire future vocations and bring many souls to Christ.”
