Seminary
St. Francis de Sales
Seminary, 3257 S. Lake
Drive, St. Francis, WI
53235-3702

Parish
St. Mary Parish,
Menasha

Birthday
May 9

Are there any books that you love so much that you
have read them twice (or more)?

I typically read books just once because I am excited to read more books.
However, I am interested in reading “Story of a Soul” by
St. Thérèse of Lisieux again.

When you find yourself with a “free night,” what is
something you are likely to do?

I like to participate in one of my hobbies such as reading, playing the mandolin,
or going for a hike. Also, a free night is a suitable time to
catch up with my family and friends via telephone.

What do you remember from your First Communion?

The most significant memory is that we had to wear an
alb-like gown with two vertical stripes that resemble the
deacon’s vestment (the dalmatic). The gown was white,
symbolizing purity and the Resurrection. Receiving Christ
in the Eucharist for the first time meant I was receiving
the true bread from heaven, helping in my sanctification
for eternal life. Overall, I remember it being a joyous day.

Where is one of your favorite places to pray, and
what makes it special to you?

We receive such great graces praying before the Blessed Sacrament. Therefore,
my favorite place is to pray in adoration either close to
the tabernacle or during Exposition when the Eucharist
is exposed in the monstrance. If I can find a quiet time
at church to adore the Lord, I am happy because I can
focus more without distractions. It is so peaceful praying
in silence with Christ present in the Eucharist. When I
was a seminarian in Rome, my favorite places to pray
were near the tombs of saints, especially those of St.
Ignatius of Loyola and St. Paul.

What role has the Eucharist played in your
discernment of the priesthood?

My first significant call to the priesthood took place at the celebration of the
Eucharist. As a senior in high school, I was attending
Mass with my family, and I felt like God said to me: “Be
a priest.” At the same time, many good feelings were
rushing through me: joy, peace, and excitement. This
profound experience was only possible with God’s grace
pouring forth from the Eucharist.
After Theology I, my assignment was at an Italian parish
in the Dolomite Mountains in Italy. I was altar serving
at this small chapel, and everything was tightly pushed
together, so I was kneeling right beside the altar. As the
priest was saying the prayers of consecration over the
bread and wine, and being so close to the great miracle
taking place, I felt God pulling me closer to himself,
increasing my desire to be in communion with him and
my desire to be a priest. If there are no priests, there is no
Eucharist. If there is no Eucharist, there is no priesthood.

If there was one thing you could communicate to
the faithful about the importance and role of the
Eucharist in our Catholic faith, what would it be?

In life, both body and soul need nourishment. The Eucharist
provides spiritual nourishment or food for the soul. The
vocation of all the faithful is to live a life of the Beatitudes,
so that we stay on the path toward eternal life with God
in heaven. It is only possible to render faithful service
to God and others by God’s grace. It takes cooperation
on our part, but ultimately, we must rely on God to live
a holy life. Receiving the grace of the sacraments gives
us the strength to live faithfully as disciples of Christ.
We cannot resist temptation and overcome sin on our
own. We need God’s help. We miss this help when we
do not frequently receive the sacraments (Eucharist
and reconciliation). Sin separates us from God, while
grace keeps us in communion with God. Therefore, the
Eucharist makes us holy. We need that nourishment to
grow in relationship with God. When we receive Christ
in the Eucharist, he is literally abiding in us. Receiving
Christ in the Eucharist is as close a personal, intimate
relationship as one can get with God here on earth. The
Mass is described as a foretaste of heaven in which we
will have the fullness of that communion, a perfect and
everlasting communion. Just as food strengthens and
sustains our bodies, the Eucharist nourishes us spiritually
by uniting us with the risen Christ who is true food and
true drink.

Which saint should people invoke for your vocation
and why?

Please invoke St. Paul because I would like to
emulate his courage to speak the truth, his perseverance
through trials, and his missionary spirit to carry out Jesus’
command of evangelization.