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!