HOLY NAME OF JESUS
HOUSE OF FORMATION
2589 S. Webster Ave.
Green Bay, WI 54301-2951

Kairos Year

BIRTHDAY
October 10

PARISH
St. Mary of the Immaculate
Conception Parish, Greenville

INTERCESSOR
Our Blessed Mother. Mary
helped raise Christ at Nazareth,
so it follows that if there's anyone
who knows anything about
forming people in the image of
Christ, it would be her.

What is your favorite hobby?
I enjoy studying linguistics. I am fascinated with the structure and evolution of
language over time. That's the kind of nerd I am.

What is your favorite liturgical season?
Probably the Triduum! There is a dynamic with the liturgies that allows you to
enter into the mystery of the passion and resurrection of Christ. I personally
think Holy Saturday is extremely beautiful in the way it joyfully announces the
resurrection of Christ from the dead.

Who is your confirmation saint? Why did you choose him?
St. Ignatius of Loyola. I chose him because he is the saint I most want to
emulate. He took what he knew and became a soldier to conquer souls
for God. He showed great devotion and determination in spite of many
obstacles and setbacks, and he lived his spiritual life with boldness.

Who taught you to pray?
My parents taught me my prayers and the fundamentals of prayer. My
mom showed me what the rosary was when I was in first grade. Overall, my
parents helped lay the foundation for what I know about prayer. I had my first
experience with the Liturgy of the Hours and introduction to adoration during
Totus Tuus in middle school. In addition to my family, I have been blessed
to have many other people who have given me practical tips and advice for
prayer throughout my life.

What gives you the most joy at this point in your formation?
I am really excited to begin the Kairos Year. I have been thinking about the
priesthood and wanting to join the seminary since I was a freshman in high
school. I’ve pretty much had my mind set on seminary since then. So, the fact
that I am finally starting is almost surreal. I am looking forward to getting to
better know my fellow brothers in formation over the course of the year and
am excited to dive deeper into sacred Scripture and the Catechism of the
Catholic Church.
I know there will be challenges in this journey, but I also know that God has
called me to this point in my life and has great plans for myself and the other
guys. I am excited to see where the Lord will draw me over the course of
these nine months of prayer and formation. Overall, my biggest source of joy
is knowing that I am right now in the place God wants me to be.

How do you view a priest’s relationship to St. Joseph?
St. Joseph provides the priest with a model for his vocation and a source
of support in his calling. St. Joseph deeply trusted God and was obedient
to him. When God asked him to take Mary into his home and later to drop
everything and take the Holy Family into Egypt, he obeyed promptly. In the
midst of great uncertainty, he knew God would not abandon him. Likewise, a
priest is called to face persecution and ridicule for the good of the kingdom
and to go where he is sent. He does so in obedience and trusts that God will
provide a light unto his path and the means necessary to provide the spiritual
food for a people starving for God.
A priest is also called to spiritual fatherhood. Like a foster father, he promises
to care for the spiritual development of those placed in his care. The way that
Joseph worked hard in his trade to provide for the Holy Family, the priest is
also called to work hard for the salvation of the flock entrusted to his care
and to provide them the spiritual food we need (i.e., the sacraments). Like St.
Joseph, God doesn’t call the qualified, but qualifies the called.