MARYSVILLE, Wash. (AP) — When the Rev. Tom McMichael arrived at St. Mary Catholic Church in January, he had already introduced himself in a "Pastor's Page" letter on the parish website. In his note, he wrote of looking forward "with joy and hope" to serving at the church. And he added a surprising detail: "I am a Catholic priest and I am married."

In his office at the Marysville parish, the 55-year-old McMichael talked about his journey, from serving 17 years as a Lutheran pastor to a time of deep spiritual discernment. That led him, along with his Lutheran wife, Karin McMichael, to convert to Roman Catholicism. On Jan. 10, 2009, he was ordained as a Catholic priest at St. James Cathedral in Seattle, The Herald reported (http://bit.ly/1Uhs7n4).

"I attribute it to the Holy Spirit," McMichael said. "I truly felt a call to the priesthood."

Greg Magnoni is a spokesman for the Archdiocese of Seattle, which oversees all of Western Washington's Catholic parishes. He said it's not unprecedented for married men to serve as priests. In the past, Magnoni said, several widowers have been ordained.