Deacon Juan Manuel Camacho
- Community of Saint Paul, Racine- Class of 2012
I first met the Community of Saint Paul in 2001 when a friend talked to me about it. In November 2001, I met Fr. Pere Cané who talked about his work as a missionary and all the things that the missionaries do in poor countries in order to preach the Good News and give hope to all those in need.  The next five months I kept in touch with Fr. Cané and in April 2002, I made my decision to join the Community of Saint Paul Apostle.

It was during my first years with the CSP that I began to feel the call to the priesthood and reflect seriously about it.  This process of discernment happened with the help of Fr. Cané and other priests from the Community that were living with me at that time (all of them priests from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee). They have all played an important role in my process of discernment to the priesthood and it was through them that I found the call from God to be a priest.

I think the Archdiocese of Milwaukee has a lot to offer for my priestly life. We find here an exciting mixture of peoples, and I think that since Spanish is my first language I can help by working with the Hispanic community. I also believe that I have something to offer to the Seminary as well, thanks to all the experiences that I have had living in other countries.

Mauricio Fernandez - Pre Thelolgby

“CALL TO SERVE”
“This is the time, Lord, the time to orient my life. Here I am as Saul in his way to Damascus. Here I am as Samuel that night. As Mary when she said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your Word.’ What do you want from me? What do you ask of me?” These words marked the beginning of this vocational journey that I am about to describe.
I am Mauricio Bertilio Fernández Boscán. I am 28 years old. I am a Venezuelan with a deep love to our Blessed Mother. I am the fifth son of a family where religious values are not as important as the social ones. However, God has shown his love to us by calling two of us to the priesthood. One of my nephews is a Scolapian seminarian. The other one is me. Christ has reached my heart, and I cannot do anything else but follow Him.

Why do I want to be a priest? Because I feel we need heroes that radically and authentically give themselves up to Christ and His Church. I want to be one of them! I want to be a priest because I cannot stay still when someone needs to hear God’s loving and saving Word. I want to be a priest because I believe the Church could use my hands to bring justice and hope to the poor and needy. I want to be a priest because I cannot see myself outside of the Gospel counsels (poverty, chastity, and obedience). I want to be a priest because I trust God’s grace will use my weaknesses to bring forth His presence.

For me, being a priest in the United States, in Milwaukee, is like being called to be a missionary. Being a priest in Milwaukee is like being called to a higher and unique type of evangelization. Being a priest in Milwaukee is like being asked to give myself up for the sake of the People of God, for the sake of our Holy Mother Catholic Church. Being a priest in Milwaukee is like being asked to effectively be there for the sacramental needs of the people. Being a priest in Milwaukee is like being asked to understand and embrace the cultural uniqueness of this people. Being a priest in Milwaukee is like being asked to empty myself so everyone could see Christ’s face.

John Gibson: Three Holy Women, Milwaukee - Class of 2015

My name is John Gibson.  I am a parishioner at Three Holy Women Parish in Milwaukee.  I am currently studying at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. Previously I attended St. Joseph’s College Seminary in Chicago, IL, and, God willing, I will be ordained in 2015.   I first started discerning priesthood between my senior of high school and freshman year of college.  Prior to that time, the priesthood was the absolute last thing on my mind.  I was studying for a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with my sights set on a masters degree in aeronautical engineering.  I had my life planned out until God first called me to think about the possibility of a vocation to the priesthood.  A calling to the priesthood was an alarming, frightening, exhilarating realization for me.  However, as time progressed, I became more comfortable with my vocation and soon realized that God had turned my heart.  A vocation to the priesthood became something that not only I desired, but God desired.  With the help of my pastor, and a particular seminarian, I discovered that I would be most happy serving the Lord as His priest.  I can’t believe where God has led me in the past few years, but I am thankful that He is in fact leading me and am honored to be discerning a vocation to the priesthood.

• You are welcome to follow my journey towards
  priesthood via my blog from Rome.

Deacon Enrique Hernandez:
St. Peter & Paul, Milwaukee - Class of 2012

It seems like a long time since I accepted an invitation to leave my home in Colombia and study English as a second language here in Milwaukee.  The goal was to do much more than learn English.  I was also testing my dream to be a priest in a foreign land. 

Now I have reached my third year level of Theology I am enjoying the support I receive from all my brother seminarians.  With God's grace, ordination in the year 2012 is right around the corner!

Paul Jentz - St. Anthony, Milwaukee - College program

Growing up a Catholic, the thought of the priesthood had always been there, but was never the first thing in my mind. When I began to seriously consider it, I made the decision with the support of my parents to go to a minor seminary for the junior and senior years of high school. I enjoyed my time there and have continued on to college seminary here at St. Joe's, which has been a blest experience for me. There is nothing like a community of people who have experienced many of the same things as you and stand alongside you as your brothers, struggling next to you and rejoicing with you.
           
My vocation has been a very gradual thing, and I believe it will continue to be. For me, the best way to discern the priesthood is to live one day at a time, with my trust in God for tomorrow. I believe that I can best discern by living each of my days as a priest until God brings me to ordination or leads me down another path. No matter where He brings me, I will have done His will, which I know will bring me happiness. In the words of Pope John XXIII, “I will be joyous in the certainty that I was created to be happy, not only in the other world, but also in this one.”

Peter Patrick Kimani: St. William, Waukesha - Class of 2014

“LOOK AT YOU!!”  My name is Peter Patrick Kimani. I am originally from Nairobi, Kenya. My vocation discernment journey began when I was in high school, when I was in charge of a Catholic movement. The patron of the movement was a brother from a religious community located next to our school. I admired their community life and the services they offered to the needy in society.
Also I helped as an instructor for Catechism in my home parish to both adults and school children, and as a youth leader. My pastor encouraged me to join their religious order, which I did in 2001.
I studied philosophy and social studies in Queen of Apostles- Philosophy Centre Jinja, Uganda, East- Africa. After my studies, I left the religious order in 2004.
As I continued in praying to God to show me my vocation, in 2008, a friend called me and asked whether I still have the vocation of the priesthood. I told him yes. He gave me the address of the vocation director of the archdiocese of Milwaukee, Fr. Jim.
I started communicating with Fr. Jim in 2008, and I was accepted in 2009. I started my formation program in the fall of 2010.  I am in first theology. As I continue my journey of discernment; it is encouraging to see my brothers who are ahead of me being instituted in different level to the priesthood. Also the faculty is always concerned with my life in the formation program. My prayer is to serve my God at the altar and his people, but I do say “Let His will be done, not mine or anybody else.”

Deacon Brad Krawczyk:
St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr, Milwaukee - Class of 2012

I found being in the “Seminary Without Walls” program a great way to keep the possibility of priesthood before me.  Now that I am studying here with other men pursuing the same dream I am thankful for all that Saint Francis Seminary is offering me. I especially enjoy being the sacristan for many Eucharistic celebrations.

Watch my video to hear how my parish played a part in my considering the priesthood.

Nathan Miniatt:
St. Katharine Drexel, Beaver Dam - Class of 2014

Hello, my name is Nathan Miniatt and I belong to St. Katharine Drexel parish in Beaver Dam, and hope to celebrate my first Holy Mass there in the Spring of 2015. My call to the priesthood began at a very early age, I truly believe on the day I was baptized. My parents were always supportive, yet they did not give me the idea, it came from somewhere within me on its own by the power of the Holy Spirit. I watched every Sunday as the priest offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and I gradually began to think "I would like to do that someday." When I began to serve Mass at age eight, my vocation was strengthened through the example of reverence toward the Eucharist by my pastor. The combination of the Holy Spirit, my family, and holy priests in my life is what has set me on the path to priesthood today.

I am currently studyingTheology at the North American College in Rome.

I first thought of becoming a priest at my Confirmation. The sacrament stirred up my awareness of being a witness for my faith and of living my faith joyfully and proudly. I kept the idea of priesthood on the backburner during high school, and went to college with an open heart, excited to see where the Lord would lead me. I trekked out to the Catholic University of America, and there met an incredible young woman. We dated for two years, and learned a ton about life and love. But God works in mysterious ways, and in the end we actually both discerned calls to consecrate our lives entirely to the Lord. She professed first vows with the Sisters of Life in New York City this fall, as I began my second year of theological study at the North American College in Rome.

So what’s this whole vocation thing all about? It boils down to this: Jesus Christ isn’t dead. He is alive. He desires to share the vitality of his life with us, and invites us to dive into it with our whole selves. He shows us how to do it on the Cross, and, in rising again, shows us the incredible things that happen when we do. The story of my coming to realize and believe this at the core of my being is the story of my call to the priesthood. It is an ongoing story, since there are always more and deeper depths to plumb in coming to understand God’s ways and wisdom. But it is this reality that every person on the face of the earth is invited to enter into in their unique call. Say “yes” to his invitation!

Arul Ponnaiyan - Second year theology

Greetings, I am Arulananthan Ponnaiyan and I come from the archdiocese of Pondicherry in India. I always experienced great feelings of joy in attending Eucharistic celebrations that was the starting point of  my vocation to priesthood. And It was during my higher secondary school days that I came to sense my deep desire for priesthood  and I joined the Society of African Missions to pursue my studies to realize this desire to come true. I graduated in philosophy and went to Egypt for regency and  worked with the sisters of Mother Theresa in caring for the old and homeless people. Then after a year of theological studies I had to leave the seminary and decided to do law to pursue my career as a lawyer. I was in to my third year as an advocate and felt that God was calling me for something else, he wants me to do what I like the most and in what I believe. To address these feelings  and to discern my vocation I went back to Kenya and lived in the mission stations of the diocese of Lodwar in Kenya under the guidance of Bishop Patrick Harington who helped me in my discernment and recommended me to the diocese of Milwaukee.

I started my correspondence with Fr. Jim in 2007 and made it to the formation in 2010. My experience of God in my long journey of vocation is that he is “ God of surprises”.  My answer to God is “Yet, O Lord, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand”. I am in second year theology and enjoying my formation here.     

Deacon Ryan Pruess: St. Peter, Slinger - Class of 2012

After graduating from Slinger High School in 2001 I earned a degree in Criminal Justice as well as completed the police recruit academy at Waukesha County Technical College .  Although I liked the program and the career path I was on, something kept tugging me back to the Catholic Church.  After careful consideration, prayer, and talking over my concerns with the vocations director, I decided to enter the college seminary program and put my future in law enforcement on hold until I was sure that God was not calling me to the priesthood.  Well, it's a few years later I am filled with anticipation and joy as I enter my second year theology at Saint Francis de Sales Seminary!

I completed my undergraduate studies at Cardinal Stritch University and graduated with a degree in Religious Studies in December 2007.  I am very excited to continue my academic formation with the other seminarians.  I consider myself extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to participate in the college seminary program.  It really gave me the time I needed to discern my call to the priesthood and to grow spiritually.  Thanks to the college seminary program, I am more prepared than ever both mentally and spiritually for the challenges and exciting opportunities that are ahead  I am thankful that I took the time to discern my path in life and truly feel like I belong here, in Milwaukee, serving God's people and Church as a Catholic priest.

Mike Steger: St. John the Baptist, Plymouth - College Program

Hello.  My name is Michael Steger, and I am a college seminarian for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.  My home parish is St. John the Baptist, in Plymouth WI.  I am in my second year of studies at St. Joseph College Seminary, in Chicago, IL.  I am a sophomore at Loyola University Chicago, and I am a double major in Philosophy and Latin. 

I first turned to the Vocations Office of the archdiocese in my senior year of high school.  I had just been talking with a Navy recruiter about joining the Navy, but I came to the conclusion that as long as I thought I had a call to be a priest, I couldn’t try doing anything else first.  So I talked to Fr. Jim Lobacz.  He told me about the college seminary, gave me the chance to visit St. Joseph College Seminary, and helped me to apply. 

My favorite part about the seminary is prayer and Mass every morning.  It is a great opportunity to open up my life to God’s will.  Sometimes it’s challenging to focus on the prayer, because it’s seven in the morning and I just woke up, but when I pay attention, I can hear God calling.  That’s the great part about the seminary.  It is helping me to find God’s will for my life.   The further along I go, the more I think that I am called to the priesthood.  And the great thing about learning this in the seminary is that there is a whole community of men around me who are coming to the same realization.  Talking with them and with my spiritual director about doing God’s will is exciting.

If someone applying to the seminary were to ask me what he should do, I would have a few answers for him.  The first is that he should make it to Mass as often as possible.  The Eucharist is God present to us, available for us every day.  If we want to know His will, we should get as close to Him as possible.  Next, I would suggest quiet prayer every day.  Maybe just five minutes; if you can fit in more, great.  Listening for God’s call, as well as His answer to our prayers is important, and often hard to hear with distractions present.  Finally, I would suggest that someone applying to the seminary cultivate a Marian devotion.  I had a very small devotion to Mary when I applied to the seminary, but over time it has grown.  As I trust Mary to lead me to her Son, I find myself more comfortable with whatever God wants for me.   Marian devotion is very important to me, and I know Mary is willing to help anyone else trying to find God’s will.

David Zampino: St. Andrew, Delavan, WI ~ College Program

Hello, my name is David Zampino. I was born in Baltimore, Maryland, though I have spent the majority of my life here in Wisconsin. I have had thoughts about priesthood since I was pretty young and seriously considered taking that path during high school. My freshman and sophomore years were attended at Catholic Central in Burlington, Wisconsin; Junior and Senior years of high school were spent at St. Lawrence Seminary up in Mt. Calvary.

I am currently a Sophmore attending St. Joseph’s College Seminary at Loyola in hopeful preparation for the major seminary years. I have found the sense of community and brotherhood in the seminary perfect for continuing to discern my call to the priesthood and look forward to the years ahead. It is my deepest wish to follow God’s call to help his Church. God Bless!

Carlos Zapata: St. Aloysius, Milwaukee ~ Class of 2012

My name is Carlos Alberto Zapata Muñoz. I was born in Medellin, Colombia in 1972.  My parents and teachers provided excellent formation in human, moral and Christian values. I was an altar boy for many years in my parish, Our Lady of the Rosary and believe it is where I developed my love for the Eucharist and for the priesthood.

After high school, I entered to the Recoleto Augustian Orden where I studied philosophy, novitiate, and theology. During this process, I was installed as lector and acolyte and I also renewed my simple vows.

I achieved a bachelor degree in “Philosophy and religious sciences” and worked for nine years as a high school teacher, teaching classes in philosophy, religion and ethics. I give thanks to God for being allowed to grow along side the high school youth. I had open the possibility of returning to the seminary, to come back to my “first Love” which  was already in my mind and heart. I never abandoned my love to my vocation and the presence of Christ whom I visited frequently in the silence of the tabernacle during my years of work. I always sought work in Catholic high schools because I knew that there would be a chapel inside the school.

Now, by the will of God, I am a fortunate to be a seminarian in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. I studied ESL program in Sacred Heart School of Theology and UWM (University of Wisconsin Milwaukee).  At present, I am studying some classes of theological complementation in Sacred Heart School of Theology. God willing, I will be ordained as deacon in 2011 and as priest in 2012. I feel very happy and grateful with God for his love and his misericord with me. "The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad!" (Psalm 126,3).

Father Javier Guativa:
Community of Saint Paul, Racine - Class of 2011

I was born and raised in Colombia, where, at age 16, I met two priests of the Community of St. Paul who impressed me with their dedication to serve those most in need. I stayed in contact with them for the next two years, and then I decided to join them. Before beginning my priestly formation at St. Francis de Sales Seminary, I worked in the Dominican Republic and Kenya. I found those experiences fulfilling and humbling. I truly believe that helping people in those remote areas strengthened my vocation to be a priest.

I came to Saint Francis de Sales to follow in the footsteps of members of my community who had preceded me, especially Fr. Pere Cané and Fr. Martí Colom, the Milwaukee Archdiocesan priests I have known since my teen years. I think the Archdiocese of Milwaukee is an exciting place to be and help build the Church; it has a lot to offer, with a wide range of ministries and great mixture of people. I would like to serve in inner city parishes in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and hope some day to return to mission countries. No matter where I end up, though, I believe my studies at Saint Francis will help me become a good priest.

Father Christopher Klusman:
St. Matthias, Milwaukee - Class of 2011

The first people that I told about my call to the priesthood were my parents.  I can't think of how many sleepless nights I've endured, as I tried to come up with words that could break the news with great ease.  It was as if I was trying to think of a perfect proposal for the woman of my dreams.  I swear I came up with over 100 ways.  When I broke it to my parents, ironically, it wasn't what I planned.  It came straight from the heart, since I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me.  My parents cried, but they were tears of joy.  Later, when more people found out, they were like, "I'm not surprised.  It is a great fit." I didn't expect that they felt that way.  If I only knew, I wouldn't have put myself through such agony!

Meeting a seminarian at a sign-language workshop was one of the things that prompted me to contact the vocations director for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. I have been deaf since birth. The deaf community needs priests, and I hope that I will be able to serve in this way. When I first told friends that I was seriously thinking about priesthood, some of them came up with ideas for a "priest super hero" costume. My hobbies are painting, sculpting, sometimes sketching, and weaving. Although I am deaf, I lip read and can "hear" some sound with a hearing aid. I talk verbally with people who can hear, but I'm also fluent in sign language.

Father John Burns
Lumen Christi Parish, Mequon - Ordained July 17, 2010
I’m Father John Burns and I’m from Lumen Christ Parish.  Just a bit about myself: I haven’t always wanted to be a priest.  In college, I studied Business Marketing.  When I graduated, I discovered that the job offers in business all lost their luster when it came to decision time.  Gradually, I realized that God was asking me to consider priesthood, and that I had been fighting against this for a very long time… I had been trying too hard to control my future.  I studied at the North American Pontifical College in Rome and seminary was incredible.  It’s the place to step outside all of the distractions and ask the question with an open heart – “Am I called to be a priest?”  It’s the place where we are transformed into the men He calls us to be.  I never could have anticipated the peace and happiness that come with discerning the will of God – it is the greatest adventure.  As Jesus said, “Cast out into the deep!”

Father Antony Primal Thomas
Community of Saint Paul, Racine ~ Ordained May 15, 2010
My name is Antony Primal Thomas, a member of the Community of Saint Paul. I was born in Kerala, India. I left home in 2001 and went to Kenya in Africa. I worked in the missions there almost seven years. I arrived here in Milwaukee on June 2008. My community has been present here since 1992 and several of our members have been ordained for this Archdiocese. I am very happy to follow in their steps as a priest for Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

Father Matt Widder:
Blessed Trinity, Sheboygan Falls - Ordained May 15, 2010
I grew up on a dairy farm in Sheboygan Falls, and Blessed Trinity is my home parish. Prior to entering the seminary I obtained a degree in Exercise Science from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. When I made the decision to major in Exercise Science priesthood obviously was not front and center on my vocational radar screen. However, through a couple unexpected twists and turns the prospect of priesthood gradually moved front and center in my life. Ultimately the call got to the point where if I wouldn’t have pursued it I would have always looked back and wondered if I had ran from my true vocation in life. My advice to anyone discerning his vocation would be to always be open to God's will in your life. If you only follow your own will outside of God's, you'll never find true happiness.

I probably had an inclination toward the priesthood when I was in grade school at St. Patrick’s in Ripon.  Going to Mass everyday was fun for me and I remember wanting to be a priest at that time in my life.  That idea didn’t really go away until I was in college and I thought I would get married and have children.  This was strengthened when my sister was born (I was 16) and I was able to care for her when my mom was away.

I eventually settled down in Sheboygan, WI and became active in several activities that rekindled something that made me feel inside that there was something I was supposed to do within the Church.  At this time I had begun doing a variety of mission trips to several countries including Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Honduras as well as mission trip here in the U. S. with teens from the Sheboygan Area and a contemporary Christian Music Ministry.  In my local community, I became active as a cantor, choir member, RCIA catechist and helping with the Life Teen program at another parish (St. Dominic’s in Sheboygan). 

When I became convicted that there was something that I was supposed to be doing, I went to my priest and asked him about the diaconate.  He asked me if I had thought about the priesthood and I explained to him that I had…when I was a child.  He gave me the numbers at the seminary for the vocation’s office where I spoke to someone about both vocations – deaconate and priest.  It was suggested that I work with a spiritual director, who (along with much prayer and personal discernment) helped me to choose the path of the priesthood.

It has not been an easy road, but I have always been able to step back and say that this is where I am supposed to be, this is where God wants me at this time.  I enjoy talking about my journey.  I loved my life as a physical therapist and the ministry that I had there, but I believe that I can take that experience and so much more to the people I will walk with later as a priest.  I want to show them a God that walks with them in all aspects of their life.

Father Angel Anaya Estrada:
St. Katharine Drexel, Beaver Dam - Class of 2009
My name is Angel Anaya. I was born and raised in Colombia. Though the idea of being a priest came to my mind when I was a kid, later on during my teen years I changed my mind and decided that I would like to study medicine. After high school I worked with Franciscans as a volunteer in projects of social justice helping the poor. That was the first strong religious experience with God face to face through the face of the poor.
Later on, I decided to study medicine in the Escuela Nacional de Medicina Homepatica and worked as a doctor for almost 5 years. That was a wonderful experience healing the physical body of the people but something deep inside kept telling me that was not enough.
To answer the deep questions in life, I decided to go back to school and studied philosophy. But philosophy was not the answer either. After much struggle finding a spiritual path, and thanks to the Verbum Dei Missionary Community I came back to the Catholic Church with more passion than ever. With the Verbum Dei Community I was involved with spiritual retreats for young people helping them to have a deep experience of Christ.  From this time on, I came to realize that God was calling me to the priesthood to dedicate my entire life to spread the Good News of Jesus helping others to find meaning in their lives.
After a year of discernment and supported by the counsel and prayer of many priests, the Poor Claire Nuns of my home town, I went to Seminary where during two years I completed the philosophical cycle and came to Milwaukee in 2004 to study theology. I was ordained a priest on May 23, 2009 and look forward to serving the Catholic Community of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. My current assignment is associate pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish, Lake Geneva, and collaborating with St. Andrew Parish, Delavan, and St. Catherine Parish, Sharon.

Father Aaron Esch
St. Patrick, Elkhorn - Class of 2009
My name is Aaron Esch.  I am from St. Patrick Parish in Elkhorn and am now in my fourth year of theology at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. On October 9th, 2008, I was ordained a transitional deacon at the Papal Basilica of St. Peter, Vatican City State and ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee at St. John the Evangelist Cathedral on May 23, 2009

After high school I entered the archdiocese’s college seminary program while studying history and philosophy.  The time in college seminary gave me the opportunity to explore and become more certain of my vocation to diocesan priesthood.  These years in seminary have been most blessed.  I have met many wonderful friends and grown in ways I never could have imagined.  The preparation for priesthood is a long and often difficult process, but I thank God constantly for having called me to serve Him in this way.  Finding God’s will for my life has been a great joy for me. 

I think there were two ways I heard God’s call to priesthood: (1) through liturgical and private prayer and (2) through involvement in a faith-filled Catholic community.  As a college student I got involved in all kinds of Catholic activities such as Bible studies, service projects, apologetics groups, and retreats.  Through these activities I met an amazing group of friends who challenged me to grow in my faith and who supported me in pursuing God’s call, whatever that may be.  I also got to know a number of priests who deeply inspired me.  They showed me the beauty and adventure of “casting out to the deep”.  These past four years of seminary have been the happiest years of my life and once again proves to me that God can never be outdone in generosity.

I am truly enjoyingworking with the Catholic Community in my current assignment as associate pastor of St. Francis Borgia Parish, Cedarburg.

Father Sean O’Connell: St. Dominic, Brookfield - Class of 2009
I can still remember being a freshman at Marquette University when I first heard God calling me to be one of his priests.  I was totally shocked!  All my life, I thought about getting married and starting a family, now God was presenting another path for me to consider.  My response, I tried to hide from God’s calling, believing that he must have made a mistake.  I thought to myself, I’m not holy enough to be a priest, I not very good at praying, what is God’s problem?  However, the call became stronger and I realized that I needed to start praying over this strange desire that kept creeping into my thoughts. 
Luckily, I had some wonderful support during this time.  One day I told my roommate about what I was feeling.  He replied: “I thought you might want to be a priest.”  I could not believe what he said.  I had never before spoken to him about the priesthood, but somehow he knew what was on my mind.  My life in the seminary has been fantastic.  It has been a pleasure living, studying, and praying with the greatest guys in the world.  My advice to anyone thinking about the priesthood: take a chance, consider the reality that God is calling you to become a person set apart from the crowd, take comfort in the words of Jesus and “follow me.” My current assignment is associate pastor of St. Dominic Parish, Brookfield.

I first felt that God might be calling me to priesthood toward the end of my sophomore year of college.  It was something that I never would have expected or anticipated.  For months I tried to avoid the deep-down feeling in my heart.  It wasn’t until I began praying about priesthood and sharing my desires with friends whom I had made through Newman Center Campus Ministry, Catholic Youth Expeditions, and Fr. Carr’s Place 2B, that my vocation was able to come to fruition.   I suppose that this is what has been the greatest gift of seminary life as well, namely, prayer and community.  It is precisely through these gifts that Jesus calls us into a deeper relationship with Him through the Church.  It isn’t easy.  It requires sacrifice and self-gift. And yet, in the midst of it all, I’ve never been happier and have never felt more fully alive in Christ.  Thanks be to God!

My current assignment is serving as a member of the in solidum team serving Holy Family Parish, Fond du Lac.