Parish: St. Raphael the Archangel Parish, Oshkosh Birthday: April 27 Seminary: St. Francis de Sales Seminary Address: 3257 S. Lake Drive St. Francis, WI 53235-3702
Which saint should people invoke for your vocation? St. Maximilian Kolbe. For his devotion to Our Lady, zeal, sacrifice, and grace to remain close to God in suffering. He beautifully teaches, “a single act of love makes the soul return to life.”
Coffee or tea? Tea, hands down. A cool glass of iced tea to start the day; then, in the non-summer months, a cup of hot tea to warm up and soothe the senses.
If Jesus drove a vehicle during his public ministry, what would it be? As a licensed bus driver, I have to say a bus! With many followers, this would allow for many great lessons and memories. During my time with Catholic Youth Expeditions (CYE), the bus was one of the most fruitful times for building relationships and getting to spend quality time with others.
What is your ideal way to spend the Lord’s Day? Faith, family, friends, food, and football. These have been great staples in my family for many years. Starting with attending Mass together, then coming home for lunch with family and friends while watching football. Later in the afternoon, taking a break for a nap, then praying a Holy Hour after being well rested, and having the evening to wind down with the Lord for some introvert time and contemplation.
If you could celebrate Mass anywhere in the world, where would you and why? It would be a special gift to return to places of great spiritual nourishment in my life. Two spiritual “wells” clearly stand out: the St. Joseph Chapel at CYE in Bailey’s Harbor and a Steubenville Conference. I am who I am today because of these incredible ministries. It was through them that I heard the call to holiness and later to the priesthood — both my first time going to seminary in 2011 and now returning 10 years later. God abundantly blessed me by them, and it would be an honor to go back to celebrate Mass.
What spiritual book or author has most influenced your journey of discipleship? Fr. Jacques Phillipe. I first read “Searching for and Maintaining Peace” as a summer staffer at CYE back in 2011. I remember each paragraph being so simple, yet profound, like God has specifically put those words on the page just for me. This was the first true spiritual reading I recall doing and is one of the only books I have read numerous times. I have continued my connection with Fr. Phillipe, choosing to read several of his other books. “Time for God” and “Thirsting for Prayer” have been recent treasure troves of grace for me. It was particularly while reading these books on a personal silent retreat at Holy Hill where the Lord revealed a great truth to me and illuminated the lies I had been believing. After this deep encounter, I was certain I desired to lay down my life in response to his call as a priest after having been out of the seminary for 10 years.
How is the Eucharist meant to foster unity in the Church? In the Eucharist is found belonging and life. This has been made incredibly clear to me over the years in my own journey, as well as throughout the Church. In the Eucharist, we find Christ and our identities as his beloved children. As such, this revelation directly brings us under one roof as a family. This is not an abstract idea, rather it comes directly from the love that flows from the Eucharist. In the Eucharist we are brought together for community through the Mass. His very presence in the Eucharist is meant to draw us closer to him and to one another. This was no accident, but an intentional act of love and unity. What God reveals to us personally in the Eucharist draws us to a greater love of neighbor and sends us out on mission to invite others to that same love. Thus, the Eucharist establishes us as ambassadors of love. Without love, there can be no unity. Love brings us together, particularly love from the Eucharist. This was made wonderfully clear this past summer through the National Eucharistic Congress and pilgrimages throughout the United States. What a joy and gift it was to be part of this monumental act of love and restoration. God brought about this revival to center us all on his Eucharist and his love. The Lord invites each of us to this intimate love, and here we must together remain. Here lies the lifeblood, the heart of the Church.