Growing up in Angleton, 30 miles south of Houston, young Matthew didn’t know what he wanted to do with his life. Even during his freshman year at Texas State, he wasn’t sure of a career path. Unbeknownst to him, a life devoted to God was already years in the making.

Father Jewell’s parents’ fidelity to Sunday Mass and receiving the sacraments were early influences. Then as a college freshman, he began spending time at Our Lady of Wisdom University Parish and attending daily Mass. He later led various retreats and surrounded himself with like-minded people. The typical college routine of frequent partying didn’t interest him.

“The community at the church was really safe and connected. I always had friends around. I never really felt the need — of course there’s temptation — but I never really felt a strong temptation like I was caught on the fence. It felt right to be in the Catholic community there,” Father Jewell said.

Part of that Catholic community is a missionary group of young adults and college students called Saint Paul’s Outreach. Jewell enjoyed the group and moved into a house where discussion around the kitchen table was usually about religion and philosophy.

During his four years at Texas State, Jewell found a mentor in Father Will Straten, the priest assigned to the parish at the time. 

Father Straten noticed Jewell was attending daily Mass because he wanted to be there, not because he had to. He said it was exciting to see Jewell, who was initially somewhat quiet and reserved, organizing retreats and taking on leadership roles. Jewell was living the faith and leading by example.

“When you see a student growing in their faith, they start asking questions and show a desire in wanting to pray and grow closer to God and they begin to recognize they want their faith to be a big part of their life, not just something on Sunday. And you could see that in Mathew,” Father Straten said. “So it was neat to see him grow in his faith, asking good questions, the right questions, and maybe letting go of certain things of the world, maybe the life of certain college students.”

After his graduation from Texas State, Father Jewell directly entered the seminary. He knew what he wanted — the priesthood. Overall, he studied for seven years at three seminaries and spent his pastoral year at Santa Cruz Parish in Buda. 

As a priest, Father Jewell now looks forward to serving others, celebrating the sacraments, teaching the faith and sharing the Gospel. As a lover of philosophy, he studied St. Augustine, John Henry Newman, and especially Thomas Merton. Like these venerated forebearers, studying for the priesthood has offered him the opportunity to mull existential questions such as: Why do humans exist? And what is our purpose?

“Mathematics is important. Science is important. But some things fall by the wayside if you don’t know who created you, what you are made for, which direction you are going … our faith answers those questions. It wants to give people the truth,” Father Jewell said. “The role of a priest in the world hasn’t changed since Christ instituted it. The priest is supposed to be Christ in the world, he’s a mediator bringing people to salvation.”

Father Jewell’s parents continue to support him as he begins his vocation to the priesthood. His mother, Frances, prays for her son and is excited to see him thrive as a priest. 

“He’s gotten where he wants to be and it’s going to be joyful for him and us. We are so proud,” she said.

Bishop Vásquez has appointed Father Jewell to serve as associate pastor of Santa Cruz Parish in Buda.