Tell us a little bit about you personally: Where are you from, your home parish, what’s your family like, etc.

I grew up in Germantown and attended Valley View Schools through High School. I am the oldest of four siblings, I have two sisters and one brother. Growing up both my parents practiced their faith and I attended St. Augustine in Germantown. After graduating with bachelor’s degrees in Theology and English from Ohio Dominican University I worked as a reporter at Miami Valley Newspapers in Miamisburg and attended Our Lady of Good Hope in Miamisburg.

When did you first begin to discern your calling to the priesthood?

My first sense of being called to the priesthood began sometime in my Junior High school years. There was initially an interior sense of being called to the priesthood that waxed and waned as the years progressed, but slowly this call grew stronger. This sense continued during my years in college and during my time in the workforce at a group of local newspapers. The Lord confirmed this call by various members of the clergy and laypeople who would either ask me if I was thinking of becoming a priest or would outright tell me they thought I was called to the priesthood.

Who has been a mentor for you along the way?

There have been multiple people I would consider mentors along this path. These include my parents, my grandparents and extended family as well as my close friends from my years at Ohio Dominican University. There are also priests I met during and after my time at college that served as mentors.

Each of the priests I have worked with during my time in parishes during the summers and during my Internship year have helped form me and prepare me for aspects of the priesthood. The priests at Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary have, each in their own way, formed men in the areas of spiritual, intellectual, pastoral, and human formation to be good and holy priests.

What are you looking forward to most about being a priest?

The aspect of the priesthood I am most looking forward to is the opportunity to celebrate the sacraments and walk with others as they grow in sanctity. I most especially look forward to the celebration of the Mass and Reconciliation. In my conversations with priests they have stated the celebration of Reconciliation is where they have felt strong encounters with the mercy of our Lord as they serve as conduits of this mercy for God’s people.

Do you have any particular favorite devotions or prayers?

My favorite devotional prayer has been the rosary as I have felt a close connection to our Blessed Mother as I share a birthday with her. While my expected due date was mid-December I was born three-months premature, at 26 weeks, on September 8.

As I learned about St. Faustina and the devotion to the divine mercy I have also grown to love the Divine Mercy Chaplet and often pray for the repose of the holy souls in Purgatory.

What’s a hobby or activity you enjoy?

Some of my hobbies and favorite activities include hiking, camping, bicycle riding, visiting Kings Island with family, relaxing with a good action or suspense movie and visiting car shows. I also picked up metal detecting a couple years ago and have found interesting items such as a historic brass spoon and button on family property.

Anything else you’d like to share with the faithful of our archdiocese?

I am a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus and have met many good Catholic men during my time with the Knights.  I would also like to express my sincere thanks and gratitude for all those I have met along my path and those who have supported me by their prayers and encouragement.