Parish: St. John Nepomucene Parish, Little Chute
Birthday: September 5
Seminary: St. Francis de Sales Seminary
Seminary Address: 3257 S. Lake Drive, St. Francis, WI 53235-3702


What kinds of toppings do you like on your pizza?
A set of toppings that does not get talked about enough is the trio of black olives, mushrooms, and green peppers.

What is one skill people would be surprised you have?
I am a drummer, and I played in a cover band called OneUp throughout high school. I have an electric drum set in my room, and I use my headphones so it is silent. Nathan Budde, who plays the guitar, and I are going to start a seminary rock band. Stay tuned!

If you had a talk show, who would be your first guest?
I would pick Harrison Butker, who is a kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. Though he is a very talented athlete, he credits his Catholic faith for giving him true purpose in life. He also said the following in a May 2023 commencement speech at his alma mater, Georgia Tech: “The satisfaction that comes from professional victories … pales in comparison to the
happiness you can find with your family at home.”

What is your favorite line from a Eucharistic prayer?
A line that always strikes me comes from the intercessions section of the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I): “To us, also, your servants, who, though sinners, hope in your abundant mercies, graciously grant some share and fellowship with your holy Apostles and Martyrs …” This line is powerful because it speaks the truth of who we are; namely, that we are sinners who hope in the abundant mercies of the Lord. Despite our weakened intellect and struggle for virtue, we maintain hope in the resurrection and newness of life found in the person of Jesus Christ.

How would you advise someone who wanted to deepen their love of the Eucharist?
A great place to start is by thanking God for the desire to be closer to Jesus in the first place. Our deepest desires don’t just appear in our minds and hearts out of nowhere; they are gifts directly from God. So, an individual’s longing to be closer to Jesus in the Eucharist is a response to the initial invitation from Jesus, who wants a relationship with each of us in a way that would not be the same with anyone else. One way to practically grow in devotion to the Eucharist is to research a few saints who had special Eucharistic devotions and learn from them.
Another great way is to find an adoration chapel where you can encounter Jesus in the Eucharist in silence. Even if you have not been trained in contemplating all the divine mysteries of the Trinity, simply sitting with Jesus and sharing your heart with him will change your life.

When you envision yourself celebrating Mass one day as a priest, what do you imagine will be going through your mind and heart?
I can think of many probable things which might be stirring in my mind and heart as I celebrate Mass one day. Hopefully, what will be at the forefront of my mind and heart is a spirit of gratitude. Specifically, gratitude towards God for the gift of the priesthood and the mission that I have been given, which is primarily to offer the sacrifice of the Holy Mass every day. In addition, gratitude for being able to worship in the way that God has taught us.
Similar to anything else that is done on a routine basis, I imagine that a potential danger or threat for priests is to be too “familiar” with the Mass, in the sense that there is no longer a spirit of wonder and awe at the sacrificial event taking place. I hope that every time I celebrate Mass, I can be struck with amazement at the reality of the Paschal Mystery, especially Jesus’ resurrection. It seems that a great way to defend against this threat of familiarity is to faithfully pray the prayer “A Priest’s Commendation before Mass” which is, “O Priest of God, say this Mass as though it were Your first Mass, Your last Mass, Your only Mass. Amen.” 

Which saint should people invoke for your vocation?
Please ask for the intercession of St. John Vianney for
my vocation. He is the patron saint of diocesan priests,
and I have felt his influence in my prayer life recently.