Home Parish :
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Sacred Hearts Parish, Bradford
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Seminary :
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St. John's Seminary, Brighton
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High School :
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Joel Barlow High School, Redding, CT
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College :
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Undergraduate - Worcester Polytechnic Institute
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When did you first start thinking about the priesthood?It was only about 3 years ago after I had been working for 8 years as a professional employee in the chemical and software engineering fields.
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 attended two of the vocation discernment retreats that are held every year in late January or early February. They are run by the Boston Vocations office and Cardinal Seán gave most of the retreat conferences. This retreat was a great source of grace for me and I would recommend any man considering the priesthood to attend this retreat.
How did you come to know Jesus Christ?Through my family, friends, and priests that I have known in my life, reading the Gospels, and also through the beauty of creation from the many places I have been fortunate enough to visit.
What is one of your favorite scripture passages? Why?"Remember, where your treasure is, there your heart is also." Mt 6:21 This passage reminds us that our deeds follows our thoughts. If one loves God above all else, they will work to further his kingdom on Earth.
What is one thing that people would be surprised to know about you?I feel like there are many things, but I have a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering.
Please describe the importance of prayer in your life.Prayer is essential. Without prayer, it would be impossible for me to turn my life over to God and discern my vocation to the priesthood.
What are some of you your favorite books, spiritual readings, magazines?The Bible, particularly the Gospels and Magnificat.
Is seminary formation what you thought it would be? How has it been similar or different from your expectations?It was fairly close to my expectations. The whole program is directed to helping a man discern whether he has a calling to the priesthood. That is done through academic studies, spiritual direction, pastoral assignments, and your own prayer life. Honestly, I was a little surprised to see how comprehensive the program is at St. John’s Seminary. There are a lot of activities that happen at the seminary, but it just provides more opportunity for a man to figure out his discernment.
What activities would you recommend in order to foster a culture of vocations?This is a tough one to answer. There is so much that goes into fostering a vocation. Certainly trying to attend daily mass a couple times a week would be a start. Also attending Eucharistic adoration would be another activity that I would highly recommend. Lastly, I would also recommend that someone consider some type of volunteering activity. I worked a professional job that did not leave me much time for volunteering before I entered the seminary which I regret to some extent. However, since a priest spends a fair part of his time helping others, I think volunteering to help others is a good way to help foster a culture of vocations.
Did anyone invite you to consider priesthood? Please explain.One day, I was in the sacristy at my church because I was the lector for the upcoming mass and my pastor asked me if I ever though of becoming a priest. I never gave it serious thought before then, but after that day, I started to give it more and more thought.
What were some of the spiritual events or activities that helped you develop and shape your personal relationship with Christ and His Church?It all began with lecturing at mass, a year later, I became a Eucharistic minister. Then I started helping with some of the events at my home parish. As I became more involved with the Church, I started to gain an appreciation of how God can use us to draw others to him.
What signs led you to believe that God was calling you to be a priest?About seven years ago I found work with a software company where I was hired to do customer support. One of the aspects of my job that I found really rewarding was helping people who were having problems. With my participation in events at my home parish, I also found helping people rewarding. As I would prepare for my lectoring assignments, I found myself studying scripture more in depth since I was going to be reading it. When I decided to attend my first vocation discernment retreat, I started praying more and more about what God wanted me to do with my life. Every step of the way, I became gradually more convinced that God was calling me to be a priest.
Please tell us, what are some of the most important parts of discernment?Prayer has to be central to discernment. One can not discern God’s will if they do not pray often. Second, I would say one has to be really honest with himself. Everyone has a cross to bear in life including a priest. Ultimately, a man must decide if the joy of serving Christ, his Church, and his people are enough to gladly bear the cross that he will be given.
Who influenced you/ inspired you to priesthood? Please explain.Priests that I have known through my life inspired me to want to enter the seminary. Actually I was fortunate to have known a couple of seminarians who interned at my home parish as well as helped me along in my discernment process.
What would you say to a young man who thinks he may have a vocation?Talk to the priest that you know best. He is where you are thinking of going so a priest can help you. After one begins their discernment process, I would then say do not be afraid. That sounds trite, but I think it is true. The world of today can be a confusing place to live in. Remember to pray everyday and entrust that God’s will be done through you. Lastly, Boston vocations office runs a vocation discernment retreat every year. This is an excellent retreat and I would highly recommend this to anybody discerning a vocation.
What is your day like in the seminary?It is usually a full day. I start with morning prayer and mass which runs from 7-8:30. Then I typically have 2 or 3 classes which occur between 9 and 3:30 in the afternoon. I also like to try to get some type of exercise in during the afternoon a few times a week if I have a large enough break between my classes. At 5, we have holy hour which consists of adoration and evening prayer. Then in the evenings, I usually work on my assignments due for my classes except when I have to go to my pastoral assignment or to attend an evening formation event.
Through the Cardinal, God is calling you personally to help rebuild His Church. How might the priest respond to this mandate today?Ultimately I think every priest must realize that the Church is missionary. Even in Boston which celebrated its 200th anniversary as an archdiocese this past year, the church has a missionary aspect to lead all people to a life of holiness and lead souls to heaven. The priest today has to take a universal approach to his assigned parish and look outside of the Sunday faithful that attend mass every week.
How does a priest best follow in the footsteps of the apostles?To follow in the footsteps of Christ who taught the apostles, the priest must give his life over to Christ and his Church. If a priest does this, he is able to preach the Gospel wherever he is.
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