Trudging up the stairs of his new high school, 14-year-old Peter Tremblay anxiously gasped for

breath. His knees shook with fatigue, his chest burned with lack of oxygen and his heart thudded

rapidly. After finally reaching the top step, Tremblay clutched the banister to steady himself and

to stabilize his breathing pattern.

That battle on the stairs was only the beginning once he learned about his heart condition.

Its experiences like these that hurt and leave scars, but in hindsight, they build character and

empower me to be compassionate with others, Tremblay said.

Even though Tremblays adolescent years were full of uncertainty and chaos, the limitations and

frustrations he consistently experienced were defining moments. He found something revelatory

in the midst of his struggles: his faith.

Fast forward, and now, the Rev. Peter Tremblay has been a priest for four years. A new chapter in

his pastoral journey has recently begun at Elon University. Starting Aug. 1, 2016, he became the

schools Catholic campus minister and associate chaplain for Catholic life.

For the previous 11 years, the Rev. Gerry Waterman served as Elons Catholic priest, but when

he transferred to Syracuse University this past summer, Tremblay was given the opportunity to

serve at Elon.
If I could pass the baton on to anyone, I would want to pass it on to Father Peter, Waterman

said.

Tremblay acknowledged that he has large shoes to fill, considering that Waterman had a

profound relationship with the Catholic community, but he was willing to accept the challenge.

As Tremblay adjusted the microphone, fixed his green vestment and stood before the large crowd

below him at Sunday Mass on the first weekend of September, he could not help but smile.

He took a deep breath and began.

Tremblay told a story of when his twin brother and father once spent the day outside. His brother

used this moment as an opportunity to encourage his father to lose weight so that he could enjoy

these outdoor activities more. Nevertheless, Tremblays father snuck in not one but two orders of

pie one apple and one cherry at McDonalds.

Exasperated, Tremblays brother asked his father whether he learned anything from the day.

Tremblays father thanked his son for challenging him and proceeded to remark that the apple pie

was much tastier than the cherry pie.

The room responded with delighted laughter and grins.

Tremblay then related this story to the message that Catholics must challenge themselves to learn

mercy and compassion, like his brother challenged his father.

By the end of the homily, the Catholics in the room were attentive and smiling. Tremblay took

his seat in the large cushioned chair behind the altar and expressed a look of contentment.

Sophomore Emily Keller, intending to pursue a bachelors degree in biology, is a servant leader

with Catholic Campus Ministry and acknowledged Tremblays potential as a preacher.

His homilies are so relatable. Literally after the first Mass, I was like, Wow, this guy is going to

be great, Keller said.

Before Tremblay developed into an influential preacher, however, his past tested him.

Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Tremblay grew up in a religious family devoted to

Catholicism. He sang in the church choir and was an altar server at Mass.

Tremblays childhood was tainted with discomfort and pain due to his congenital heart problem.

Rushing in and out of cramped doctors offices and sterile hospital rooms overshadowed his

teenage years. Tremblay underwent five complex open-heart surgeries at 18 months and then at

ages 14, 16, 17 and 21. Each time he entered the operating room, his chance of survival

drastically decreased.
In his last surgery, he had only a 10 percent chance of survival.

Given that Tremblay survived these complicated surgeries, he said he knew that his life was a

miraculous gift. He said that he was given the chance to live for a reason, which is why his

health struggles encouraged him to take his faith far more seriously.

I found such incredible joy in the power and presence of God in these moments. I made this

decision that if I could share the faith and the joy that got me through these moments, then that

would be a wonderful way to live, Tremblay said.

His mother, Kathy Tremblay, was with her son every step of the way, comforting him and finding

the right doctors.

He never really complained, and that always impressed me. He was very accepting. I dont

know if I would have been so accepting, Kathy Tremblay said.

To add to the confusion and agony, when Tremblay was about to receive his last surgery, his

father and role model died. Upon hearing this devastating news, Tremblay began to suffer with

depression.

Despite the sadness, a year later, when Tremblay was 22 years old, he decided to finally accept

the call to priesthood that had been circulating in his mind since high school. He knew that faith

brought him joy, but the decision was not particularly effortless.
Being a priest is a difficult decision that has to be remade every morning. There isnt a day that

goes by where I dont have to recommit myself to what I am and what Im doing, Tremblay

said.

Despite reservations, with the help of his twin brother, Matthew Tremblay, and signs from God,

Peter Tremblay confidently came to his decision. Matthew Tremblay encouraged his brother to

accept this calling due to his passion for his faith, his devotion to God and his inclination to help

others.

I helped him along in the process and helped him come to that vocation. It has been very

humbling and awesome to see him up there, knowing that is where he is meant to be, Matthew

Tremblay said.

After making this momentous choice, Tremblay won a partial scholarship to Franciscan

University of Steubenville in Steubenville, Ohio. He joined the Franciscan Friars and went on to

receive his Masters of Divinity from Washington Theological Union in the District of Columbia.

He spent two years teaching morality and philosophy at Archbishop Curley High School in

Baltimore, Maryland before coming to Elon.

After Tremblays homily during Sunday Mass, his determination to create connections with his

fellow Catholics was still his first priority. With this on his mind, the pianos upbeat tune marked
the closing of the worship service. Tremblay then strode down the aisle with a hymnal in hand,

motioning for the congregation to follow his lead.

He continued to walk until he reached the back door of the church from which the congregation

departs. Here, Tremblay waited for the opportunity to meet the 100 Catholics who had attended

the Mass. He took the time to acknowledge each and every one of them.

With a warm smile, a sincere tone and a handshake, Tremblay asked all of the attendees for their

names and then struck up meaningful conversations with them.

As a servant leader for Catholic Campus Ministry, sophomore and accounting major Amanda

Corso said she loves how Tremblay makes himself accessible to the students and takes an

interest in their lives. When he sees a student, she notes that he will often go out of his way to

talk to that person, whether he knows the individual or not.

Tremblay even extends his personable attitude to the entire Elon community rather than only

limiting himself to the 1,746 Elon students who identify as Catholic, which is something that

Lauren Kann, a sophomore and elementary education major, notices about him.

I sometimes go to the Catholic Campus Ministry events even though I am not Catholic, and he

is always very welcoming, Kann said.

Liturgical Music Minister David Tamayo is excited for what the year has in store for Tremblay.

He anticipates more participation and enthusiasm from the students with Tremblays upbeat, laid-

back temperament.

His energy level and his ability to talk to people are at a level that seems to coincide more with

where college students are in life, Tayamo said.

With a lifetime full of hardship and unpredictability, Tremblay has become an expert at handling

change, and he is ready to share his life lessons with the Elon community.

My hope is to help the students deepen their relationship with their faith. I hope to give the

students some wisdoms, some skills, some opportunities to learn so that when their time here is

complete, they are able to go out into the larger world and be tremendous Catholic leaders.