Fr. Kevin Darwent grew up in a strong Catholic family in Rockland, ON, with four siblings. Faith was a big part of daily life — Sunday Mass, the rosary, and grace before meals were the norm. But even with that foundation, school wasn’t easy. Kevin faced bullying that left him feeling alone, insecure, and questioning if God really cared.

Things took a turning point during a year at a Catholic college in Barry’s Bay. A close friend and roommate tragically died in a car accident after falling through the ice — a trip Kevin had been invited on but didn’t join. That moment shook him, but also sparked a realization: maybe God had spared his life for a reason. It was the first time he seriously considered that God had a personal plan for him.

A year later, while attending a Catholic student conference, Kevin heard a speaker challenge everyone to invite Christ into their lives. Remembering how God had already shown him love in such a personal way, Kevin decided to surrender his life to Jesus — and immediately felt a deep, unshakable peace and joy. He knew then that God was real, loving, and trustworthy.

Since then, Kevin has learned to lean on God’s mercy, especially in moments of doubt or failure. That trust has led him on an incredible faith journey — one that eventually brought him to the Companions of the Cross, where he continues to follow Christ with hope and purpose.

This summer, along with three other priests from the Companions of the Cross, Fr. Kevin moved into St. Willibrord's to learn more about our Missionary Partnership with St. Ignatius, and how to plant more churches in the future. For the next year, he will be serving as assistant pastor.