Parish: St. Clare Parish; Wrightstown, Greenleaf, and Askeaton
Birthday: July 25 
Seminary: Pontifical North American College
00120 Vatican City State, Europe
Mailing Address: 6534 Ridge Royale Drive
Greenleaf, WI 54126

Which saint should people invoke for your vocation?
St. Teresa of Calcutta. In January, I visited her order of sisters and tomb in India,
and her great love for priests makes me confident in her powerful intercession.

Coffee or tea?
Here is my honest, unfiltered opinion. I greatly appreciate both,
but I cannot fully ex-presso how coffee wakes me up a latte
better. This is grounds for choosing coffee.

If Jesus drove a vehicle during his public ministry, what
would it be?
A Wisconsin Duck. It is not altogether fast, and it seems to me
that Jesus appreciates taking his time. Also, being a boat-car,
it can carry the apostles across the Sea of Galilee. Meanwhile,
Our Lady and John the Baptist would escort him in a Fiat and a
Forerunner, respectively.

What is your ideal way to spend the Lord’s Day?
As I write this, I recently spent the Lord’s Day on a small
pilgrimage to the sanctuary of La Verna, the place where St.
Francis of Assisi received the stigmata. For me, attending Mass,
visiting holy places, and spending time in prayer is an ideally
spent Lord’s Day. It also includes plenty of family time and
plenty of good food!

If you could celebrate Mass anywhere in the world, where
would you and why?
I have heard that a newly ordained priest, within his first year
of priesthood, can visit Ars, France, and have the opportunity to
celebrate Mass in the place where St. John Vianney himself did,
along with the sacred vessels that the saint used. That sounds
incredibly beautiful since he is the patron saint of diocesan
priests! I would also love to celebrate Mass at The National
Shrine of Our Lady of Champion because I love Our Lady and the
Shrine is such an important place in our diocese.

What spiritual book or author has most influenced your
journey of discipleship?
There are a few books that have been impactful for me, but I
think perhaps the most influential have been the writings of St.
Thérèse of Lisieux. What she has offered me is the opportunity
to consider a spirituality that truly embraces my weaknesses
and the need to be like a child to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Her incredible trust in the great love and mercy of our God who
is with us in our various areas of poverty has brought me much
freedom. Additionally, from her I have learned much about the
spiritual knockout combination that is prayer and sacrifice.
Finally, I want to mention “The Practice of the Presence of God”
by Brother Lawrence. In this small yet powerful book, Brother
Lawrence explains how we all can, and indeed ought to, pay
attention to the Lord’s presence in each moment of our daily
lives. For me, this is an ongoing journey, to truly be present to
him at every moment.

How is the Eucharist meant to foster unity in the Church?
The Mass, true worship that it is, brings us into communion with
God and with each other. Our Lord says, “Whoever eats my flesh
and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him” (John 6:56).
When we receive Jesus in the Eucharist, eating his body and
drinking his blood, we are united to him, especially in his selfoffering
of love on the Cross. United to Christ crucified, we learn
how we are meant to love one another and the other members
of his body. We are united with our Head, and subsequently, with
each other. That is why a phrase such as, “I will see you in the
Eucharist,” can truly be said.
The Eucharist gives us the fullness of life, joy, and peace
because we become one with the One who is the Way, the Truth,
and the Life. The Eucharist unites us because we look upon and
taste he who is all, and we realize the solidarity that comes from
our absolute need for him.
St. Elizabeth of the Trinity said, “It seems to me that nothing
better expresses the love in God’s heart than the Eucharist: it is
union, consummation, he in us, we in him, and isn’t that heaven
on earth?” Unity with him is what brings unity in the Church, and
he offers this unity readily and regularly in the Eucharist. The
magnitude of this gift is inexpressible!