I was raised in Corbin, KY, and moved to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in 2015. My home parish is Immaculate Heart of Mary in Anderson Township. I have three younger sisters. I converted to Catholicism in 2009 when I was in mortuary school, and was a funeral director prior to entering seminary, I am still the only Catholic in my family.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST DISCERN YOUR VOCATION?

It wasn’t long after I entered the Church in 2009 that I began to think God was calling me to something more. The more I entered into the faith, the more I experienced a pull toward the seminary. I formally began seminary in 2011.

WHO HAS BEEN A MENTOR FOR YOU?

When I came to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, I was already a seminarian, and Father Kyle Schnippel was the first priest I lived with in the archdiocese. Throughout the years he has been a mentor and support for me.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST ABOUT BEING A PRIEST?

Other that ordination itself, and celebrating the sacraments, I am perhaps most excited to be back in the parish and being able to minister to the people.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE DEVOTIONS OR PRAYERS?

I am particularly devoted to Our Lady Undoer of Knots, St. Jose Maria Escriva and St. John Neumann. Some of my favorite and most frequent prayers are the Prayer to St. Michael, the Litany of Trust and the Prayer to the Shoulder Wound of Christ.

WHAT’S A HOBBY OR ACTIVITY YOU ENJOY?

Music has been a large part of my life, and is something I thoroughly enjoy. When I can, I like to go to the symphony and enjoy listening to music in my free time. I also love to cook and spend some time in the kitchen whenever I can.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE FAITHFUL OF OUR ARCHDIOCESE?

I look forward to being able to serve the faithful of our archdiocese as a priest. Please pray for my classmates and me as we continue to prepare for our ordination in May.

On May 15, Seven Men Will be Ordained to the Priesthood and Begin Their Service in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati

This article appeared in the May 2021 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription,, click here.