Home Parish: Our Lady of Consolation
Age: 27
Seminary: North American College
High School: William M. Davies
College: Providence College
Parents: David and Suzanne
Siblings: Three younger brothers
Hobbies: Biking, hiking, camping, bowling, spending time with family and friends.
When did you start thinking about being a priest?
I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t think about becoming a priest. The thought would come and go, but it was present during every phase of my life.
What Church activities did you participate in before seminary?
Going to a public high school, I didn’t get the opportunity to participate in many Church activities. I did serve as an altar boy and those moments of serving Mass further instilled the idea of priesthood into me. I remember wanting to be like my pastor, preaching and saying Mass.
What is your favorite scripture passage?
John 20:23. I believe this scripture passage is a complete summary of the Christian life. It is the ideal that we all fall short of, yet each day continue to strive toward.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
I am not stage shy at all and get energized when speaking in front of people. I think that most people who have heard me speak in church would be surprised to know that public speaking was one of my greatest fears and one of three main factors that led me to delay entering the seminary! In case you are wondering what the other ones were, I’ll tell you. The obvious one is celibacy. Lastly, I didn’t really like school and dreaded eight years of college.
Did anybody invite you to consider the priesthood?
Fr. Kiley bluntly told me that he thought God was calling me to be a priest. If not for his candor, I don’t know if I would have ever entered the seminary.
How did you come to know Jesus Christ and his call in your life?
My family influenced my relationship with Christ. I can remember as a kid, praying with my Grandmother or as we called her, “Memere”. I was amazed at how much faith she had and the happiness she experienced in her life because of that faith.
What spiritual events or activities shaped your personal relationship with Christ and his Church?
The Sacrament of Reconciliation. The peace that I experienced each time I left the confessional drew me closer and closer to Christ. I recognize my weaknesses and realized the need to rely on Jesus. He is always there, always waiting, always wanting to forgive me and lead me closer to him.
Were there any signs that God was calling you to be a priest?
I mentioned Fr. Kiley earlier. About three days prior to his encouraging me to enter the seminary, I prayed to Jesus that he have a priest tell me I was being called as a sign. I believe this was an answer to my prayers.
How did your family and friends react?
There were mixed feelings with different members of my family. Some were very happy. Others seemed indifferent. There were a few that were not happy at all. I realized it was because they truly felt that I could not be happy as a priest. Their attitudes have changed because I’ve been happy while in seminary. It is nice to have the support of all my family, even the ones who were the most upset at the beginning.
What was the transition like into seminary life?
I had no idea what to expect, I imagined monasteries and people walking around silently all the time. Fortunately, seminary was a bunch of college guys who were in the same boat as me…ordinary people who thought God might be calling them to the priesthood.
Why is the priesthood so important today?
People are spiritually hungry. They need someone who can be there for them on their journey to Christ.
What advice would you give to a man who is “on the fence” about entering the seminary?
I was “on the fence” for a few years before entering the seminary. I think the best advice simply is to realize that just because you enter the seminary doesn’t mean you are going to become a priest. It simply means that you think God might be calling. Seminary is a place to be with other people who are going through the same thing. I have met some very good friends in seminary who stayed for a year or two and realized that it was not for them. But now they know. There have been other guys who were really uncertain when they entered and now I am seeing them as ordained priests. If you are thinking about seminary but are not entirely sure, you have nothing to loose when you give it a shot and simply be open to what God is doing in your life.
