Formation Stage

Configuration Stage II

Home Parish

Santa Clara de Asis, Yorba Linda

Seminary

Mount Angel Seminary

Favorite Saint(s)

St. Therese of Lisieux St. Martin of Tours St. John the Evangelist

Favorite Marian Apparition(s)

Rosary

Favorite Book or Movie

Lord of the Rings

Favorite Hobby

Climbing, hiking, pickleball, lifting, golf, any kind of game

Background

What are some of the factors that led to your decision to enter the seminary and discern the question of a vocation to the priesthood?

My family has certainly had a large impact on my discernment. My parents have been devout my whole life, but when we moved to St. Louis I witnessed a deepening of their faith and desired the same for myself. They have continued to be people that have modeled holiness and openness to God’s plan for their lives. In addition, they have been incredibly supportive throughout the process of discernment. The multiple moves that my family made throughout my life definitely impacted my discernment as well. When my life had to restart, it was an opportunity to grow in trust and confidence in the Father’s providence. My time at Franciscan was also beneficial in my discernment. It was a place where holiness was taken seriously, and to be formed by the culture, community, and staff helped my understanding of who God is and what life with Him should look like. Finally, my time teaching at Servite High School is ultimately what had the biggest impact. It was during those years of teaching that the Lord moved through conversations with friends, fellow employees, and the times of prayer available at Servite to not only draw me to Himself but to reveal the life He was calling me into.

Who are some of the people who influenced your decision to enter the seminary? What is it about them that assisted you?

My parents influenced my decision, because they were the ones I would talk to throughout my life when I would question my vocation and feel drawn towards the priesthood. A priest that I met while I lived in Illinois, Fr. Matt Jamesson, also played a large role in my discernment. At the time I felt directionless, and he reawakened a desire for holiness that had fallen dormant. He also modeled for me what it was to be holy in the diocesan priesthood in a way I had not seen before. Finally, my brother seminarian, Eddie Huber, has played a large part in my discernment. For the three years that I worked at Servite and wrestled with the desire/call for priesthood, it was incredibly beneficial to have someone to talk to, walk with, and discern alongside.

Describe the moment that you knew you wanted to take the next steps to become a priest?

I was on a cross country road trip with my family. We were in Idaho for a few days, and one morning my uncle and I drove up to the top of a mountain to watch the sunrise. As I looked out, I suddenly experienced the nearness of God, and an invitation to take the next step in the journey of discernment, one I had been putting off for years. I made up my mind in that moment to finally say yes, and when I returned from the road trip I reached out to the Vocation Director.