Hometown: Hannibal

Home Parish: Holy Family

Seminary: Kenrick School of Theology

Prior to entering the seminary
I was in the eighth grade learning a lot about the Church's teaching and history and trying to participate more and more in the life of the Church by going to Mass, going to Confession, and praying the Rosary often.

Enjoy most about seminary
I enjoy learning those things and developing those virtues that will dispose me to being a better priest. I not only need the direction of those overseeing my formation, but the encouragement to holiness provided by my brother seminarians is invaluable. God loves the world and cares for his people much more than the world recognizes. Jesus really does give us what we need through the Church he established and the sacraments he instituted which he has entrusted to the Church. He forgives our sins and feeds us with his body, blood, soul, and divinity. God is always ready to teach us the truth through the Church and to give us what we need in order to live according to the truth through the sacraments.

Reason for entering the seminary
The circumstances were not very important. What was important in my decision was an understanding that God had created me to be committed to the Church in a special way and to provide for the spiritual needs of others especially through the sacraments. I also had a great desire to do this. Both my understanding and my desire have grown and intensified in seminary. The biggest challenge has been learning how to become virtuous and to dispose myself to grace in order to do what God made me to do.