Parish: Holy Spirit Parish, Kimberly
Birth Date: October 8
Seminary: Pontifical North American College
Seminary Address:
00120 Vatican City State, Europe
Mailing Address: 609 Theresa Ct. Kimberly, WI 54136-2343
Intercessor: St. John Vianney.
He experienced the great beauty
of the Church in Rome on a trip
to the city in 1833. For myself,
a seminarian studying in Rome,
please ask his intercession for me
because of his courage, longing
for truth, and love of the Church.

What is your favorite hobby?
My favorite hobby is running because it is great exercise, it is challenging,
and it can be enjoyed alone or with friends.

What is your favorite liturgical season?
My favorite liturgical season is the sacred Triduum. The three days leading
up to Easter make present some of the key mysteries of our faith including
the priesthood, the Eucharist, and, most importantly, the crucifixion of Jesus.
This short season powerfully exhibits the crux of our faith.

Who is your confirmation saint? Why did you choose him?
I did not choose a confirmation saint when I was confirmed. I was either not
encouraged to do so or simply did not think it was necessary. That being said,
if I had to choose one today, I would select St. Maximilian Kolbe because of his
courage, his witness to the priesthood, and his devotion to Mary.

Who taught you to pray?
Fr. Eric Nielson of St. Paul University Catholic Center in Madison taught me
the value of silent prayer with the Lord. He encouraged me to be consistent
in silent prayer. Additionally, he introduced me to the rosary. The practice
of meditating on the mysteries of the rosary made me more comfortable
praying with sacred Scripture. While Fr. Eric laid a strong foundation for
my prayer life, I recognize that my relationship with the Lord is not static.
Therefore, Jesus is constantly inviting me into deeper prayer through my
experience of him and through the witness of others.

What gives you the most joy at this point in your formation?
At this point in my formation, I receive the most joy from my friendships. I am
aware that friendships within the priesthood are essential to a fruitful ministry.
It gives me great joy knowing that I am developing those friendships right
now in seminary. My friends are able to support me in difficult moments and
share in my successes. I try to do the same for them. Beyond the support
that we give each other, we simply have fun together. Conversations at meals
often turn into bouts of laughter, shared living experiences turn into “inside
jokes,” and competition in sports only serves to draw us nearer to each other.
What ultimately makes these friendships special is the centrality of Christ.
We are all seeking to grow in holiness and to imitate Christ, the High Priest.
In doing so, we find great joy. Hopefully, this joy in our hearts will lead more
people to the joy and happiness which the world cannot provide.

How do you view a priest’s relationship to St. Joseph?
The role of the priest and that of St. Joseph are very similar. Therefore, a
priest’s relationship with St. Joseph should be one of close imitation and
friendship. Joseph led the Holy Family. He ensured that the mission of the
Virgin Mary and the Son of God would begin smoothly. Likewise, all Christians
are on a mission. Every single person is called to holiness. So, just as St. Joseph
helped his wife up onto the donkey to get to Bethlehem, priests lift their flocks
by providing the sacraments. St. Joseph guided the Holy Family from danger
into Egypt. Priests guide the faithful away from the hazards of our culture by
their humble preaching and spiritual guidance. St. Joseph was present as foster
father in Nazareth during Jesus’ hidden life. Priests comfort their people by
being present for them. In the day-to-day experiences of a priest, he can turn
to the experiences of St. Joseph in prayer asking for guidance and wisdom.
In summary, St. Joseph did not give Mary and Jesus their missions. Likewise,
Christians today do not receive their mission from priests. The mission comes
from a deep relationship and identity as God’s sons and daughters. So, priests,
like St. Joseph, are meant to remind people of their identity and help them
to accomplish their mission of becoming holy. A priest should be near to St.
Joseph, imitating his example in his fatherly care for the people of God, the
Church. (Italicized words come from the prayer for the Year of St. Joseph.)