Home Parish :
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Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
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Seminary :
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Our Lady of Providence Seminary
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College :
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Undergraduate - Providence College
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Hobbies :
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Playing sports, bowling, reading, and going out with friends.
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When did you first start thinking about the priesthood?I first started thinking about the priesthood at about the age of 7. I really enjoyed going to Mass with my school. As soon as I made my first Communion, I signed up to be an altar server. There was something about serving the altar that attracted me, and from that point on, my curiosity about the priesthood really started to form.
What were some major Catholic activities you participated in prior to the seminary? (e.g. Any world youth Day's? Any Major parish events? Any seminary/ Vocation Retreats? Movements? Cursillo? Pilgrimages?)I was the faith ambassador of my high schools student government, I was one of the leaders of my parish vocations team, I was a part of three reenactments of the passion narrative, and I also have attended the proud 2 be Catholic events, and am still a monthly LIFT attendant which is celebrating it's third anniversary in August of 2009.
How did you come to know Jesus Christ?I came to know Jesus Christ through the Mass and most especially through the Eucharist. As a child, I was drawn to the Eucharist and really wanted to be a part of the mass so that I could receive Jesus through the Eucharist.
What is one of your favorite scripture passages? Why?Matthew 6:25-34 is one of my favorite scripture passages. I really enjoy this passage because when I am feeling down or stressed out, this passage helps me put things into perspective and helps me to remember that I cannot do the things I want to do on my own, I need God's grace and help to get me where I belong. I need to let God be my guide, day by day. "for tomorrow will worry about itself."
What is one thing that people would be surprised to know about you?I was an educator at the New England Aquarium and occasionally, was the one wearing the shark or turtle costume on the front plaza.
Please describe the importance of prayer in your life.Prayer for me is an essential part of balancing ones life. Prayer is important for me because it helps me to calm down, relax from the hectic or noisy day, and helps me to bring myself to some quiet time with the Lord. Each day, I strive to make it a priority to spend a good amount of time in my day to pray in silence, read spiritual readings, and scripture.
What are some of you your favorite books, spiritual readings, magazines?Catcher in the Rye, The Outsiders, The Fisherman, and the Shack are some of my favorite books.
Is seminary formation what you thought it would be? How has it been similar or different from your expectations?Seminary formation is what I thought it would be. The four pillars of formation (Human, Intellectual, Spiritual, and Apostolic) are great balances in forming the person into a well rounded individual.
What activities would you recommend in order to foster a culture of vocations?I would recommend that those that feel that they may have a vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life should absolutely try to join or organize a parish vocations team, if in high school or college, participate in campus ministry, and also, if you can, look for a vocations retreat.
Did anyone invite you to consider priesthood? Please explain.I don't believe anyone in my life ever specifically invited me to consider the priesthood. I believe that this was a seed planted by God from the beginning of my life and it was something that many, many people have helped nurture and grow throughout the years.
What were some of the spiritual events or activities that helped you develop and shape your personal relationship with Christ and His Church?LIFT ministries was a huge and still is a big part of my life. I remember one night after attending Lift and listening to one of the speakers, that I had made my decision to officially apply to the seminary. The speaker was great, the evening was beautiful, and my heart was filled with the love of God and the love of the priesthood. LIFT helped me to begin the formal process of prayer and reflection about applying to the seminary.
What signs led you to believe that God was calling you to be a priest?The burning desire within my heart, mind, and soul to help others and to be a man of the sacraments was one of the key signs that led me to believe that God was calling me to be a priest. I want nothing more than to be able to bring the sacraments to Christ's people and to show all people the love of God within myself.
Please tell us, what are some of the most important parts of discernment?Prayer is a key aspect of discernment. Without proper attempts at trying to prayerfully discern a calling, makes it difficult to hear God's call. Talking with a priest or spiritual director is another thing that is an important aspect of discernment. Finding someone, preferably a priest, to talk to about the process is important and can be, as it has been for me, extremely helpful in discerning God's call in my life.
Who influenced you/ inspired you to priesthood? Please explain.Fr. Paul Soper, pastor of St. Albert the Great parish in Weymouth, MA was the key part of my inspiration to enter the seminary. Fr. Paul and I had many meetings and talks about the process and he really helped me feel that I was indeed someone, that would make a wonderful priest. Without his help, I do not think I would be where I am today.
What would you say to a young man who thinks he may have a vocation?To a young man who thinks he may have a vocation, I would first say thank you. Thank you for considering the priesthood. I would also say that talking with friends, family, and a trusted, respected priest that they know, would be first good steps in discerning a calling. Time for daily prayer, and a desire for the Eucharist are important too.
What is your day like in the seminary?My day at the seminary begins in the chapel for morning prayer and mass. After Mass, I have breakfast and head off to classes at Providence College for the day. When I return from classes, I spend some quiet time to relax in my room, then do some homework, and then go back to the chapel for evening prayer. Dinner follows evening prayer and then usually the rest of the night is free unless it is a night we as a house do night prayer or have adoration and benediction as a house. I also try to spend time hanging out with the guys, and sometimes go out if it's a free day or weekend.
Through the Cardinal, God is calling you personally to help rebuild His Church. How might the priest respond to this mandate today?The priest must be able to connect with all types of people. In order to properly "rebuild" the priest must be open minded and willing to accept all ideas and all types of people that will be key to successfully rebuilding the church.
How does a priest best follow in the footsteps of the apostles?The priest is a nonconformist. The priest does not conform to the ideals and ways of everyone else. Just like the apostles, the priests make a very different statement than the normal "society" the priest lives counter-culturally all for God and all to serve God's people.
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