Where are you from?
I grew up in Dexter, Michigan. I was born in 1992, and my parents worked hard to bring me up in the Catholic faith. I have an older sister, a younger brother, and dozens of cousins.
When you were a child, what did you dream of becoming when you grew up?
When I was small, I wanted to grow up to be a cowboy, a firefighter, and a baker!
What was your background before you joined the Companions of the Cross?
After high school I studied for four years at Wayne State University, majoring in philosophy. After graduating I was extremely blessed to be able to spend three years working as a campus missionary with Catholic Christian Outreach at Mount Royal University in Calgary.
What are your special interests?
Some topics that interest me are personal development, leadership, virtue, history, and healthy living.
My favourite hobbies/pass-times are playing table tennis, bouldering, walking, jogging, listening to podcasts, watching American football, and playing chess.
Who, or what, inspires you?
I am inspired by people who model the fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self control (see Galatians 5:22-23). They motivate me to pursue greater holiness and integrity.
What led you to join the Companions of the Cross? Could you briefly explain your vocations story?
I came back to my faith while in university. As a teenager I had walked away from my Catholic upbringing entirely. But, through the persistent efforts and sacrifices of Fr. Simon Lobo and the students at the Wayne State University Chaplaincy, I came to a point where I was willing to give God another chance. During a winter retreat with them I had a life changing encounter with Jesus that inspired me to dedicate my life to following him. Shortly afterwards, I got a firm and persistent sense that I would one day become a priest. I continued to wrestle with and discern this sense; some days it filled me with joy and anticipation, other days not so much! Fr. Timothy Gallagher’s podcast series on the Discernment of Spirits, and his series on the Discernment of God’s Will, were invaluable resources for me. What clinched my decision to move forward was looking back on my spiritual life and seeing that I was always attracted to the priesthood when I felt close to God, and was living at my best. I look forward to seeing what the Lord has in store for me in this coming year of formation.
