The Harvest Continues

(ARCH)DIOCESE/RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY: Diocese of Gary

ARMED FORCES BRANCH: Air Force

COLLEGE(S) / UNIVERSITY(IES) / SEMINARY(IES) ATTENDED (DEGREES AWARDED): Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, IN (B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering); Mundelein Seminary, Mundelein, IL (M.A. in Philosophy and Religion); Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit, MI.

HIGH SCHOOL(S) ATTENDED: Highland High School, Highland, IN.

HOBBIES: Running, cycling, and reading.

TEAM SPORTS: Soccer, basketball, and baseball.

WHEN WAS THE FIRST TIME YOU THOUGHT ABOUT A VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD?

The first time I thought I might have a vocation to the priesthood was my senior year of college.

WHO OR WHAT EVENTS INFLUENCED YOUR DISCERNMENT JOURNEY?

A friend’s invitation to attend daily Mass and to pray at a perpetual Eucharistic Adoration chapel was a major event that inspired my discernment journey.

WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?

People may be surprised to know that I enjoy going to classical symphonies.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SCRIPTURE PASSAGE, WHY?

Philippians 3:7-11 is one of my favorite Scripture passages because I see it as our main goal in life to know, love, and be united to Christ.

HOW DID YOU COME TO KNOW JESUS CHRIST PERSONALLY?

I came to know Jesus by Eucharistic Adoration and reflection on the Gospels.

HAVE ANY SAINTS OR CHURCH LEADERS PARTICULARLY INSPIRED YOUR DISCERNMENT JOURNEY?

Saints John Vianney, Francis of Assisi, and John Paul II have inspired me.

WHAT WAS YOUR PROFESSIONAL AND/OR ACADEMIC AND/OR MILITARY BACKGROUND BEFORE APPLYING TO BE A SEMINARIAN APPLICANT?

I studied mechanical engineering, interned at Rolls-Royce in their airplane engine business, and was commissioned through Air Force ROTC with an assigned career field of pilot training.

WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING?

From Christendom to Apostolic Mission and Scott Hahn’s commentary on Romans.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPIRITUAL BOOK?

The Cure d’Ars by Abbe Francis Trochu.

WHO ARE YOUR HEROES OR PEOPLE YOU SIGNIFICANTLY ADMIRE?

I admire my parents.

HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE YOUR PRAYER LIFE? WHAT COMPRISES YOUR DAILY PRAYER? DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN THE LITURGICAL LIFE OF THE CHURCH? WHEN, WHERE, HOW?

My daily prayer life consists of Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Scripture, the Divine Office, the Rosary, and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. V