Parish: Immaculate Conception Parish, Luxemburg

Birthday: October 24

Seminary: St. Francis de Sales Seminary

Seminary Address:
3257 S. Lake Drive
St. Francis, WI 53235-3795

Pre-Theology I

What is the best aspect of being at a seminary?
I think the best aspect is simply being around other men who are also discerning a call to the priesthood. In the seminary, you are living with people who are experiencing the same feelings, challenges, joys, and sufferings. It is very comforting to know that there are people around you who know what you are going through and can help you.

What do you like to do for recreation?
I am a very active person, so I love to play just about any kind of sport. I enjoy running, biking, and reading when I can find the time. I also enjoy working with my hands, especially gardening. I feel there is something special about planting seeds and watching them grow, flourish, and bear fruit, similar to what we are doing as seminarians.

Have you had any pets in your lifetime?
We always had a dog growing up, so I have always been more of a dog person than a cat person. Also, I grew up working on my grandpa’s hog farm, so I am used to being around a lot of animals. We currently have a black Lab at home named Archie, and he is very energetic.

What do you remember most about your Confirmation?
I remember my Confirmation name the most. I chose Clement as my Confirmation name in honor of my Grandpa. My Grandpa is and was always a hard worker. Everything he did, he did for the good of his family. In recent years, he has overcome colon cancer and I deeply admire his strength, courage, and faith in God. I know I will need that same strength, courage, and faith to persevere in my future endeavors.

What is your favorite poem?
A poem that sticks out in recent memory is entitled "What Teachers Make," by Taylor Mali. Before entering the seminary, I was a secondary education student at UW-Madison. The author explains, in a rather intense tone, what teachers make. It is a very in-your-face poem, but it reminded me that as a teacher, I have the ability to make a difference in each one of my students' life.

What was one of the best days of your life thus far?
One of the best days of my life so far was the Ordination Mass I attended in June of 2011. I had never been to an Ordination Mass before, and it was one of the most beautiful celebrations I had ever seen. I can remember smiling through most of it because I knew that the new priests would do a lot of good for the Church. I was also smiling because I was picturing my own Ordination Mass in my head, God willing... It was also one of the best days because afterwards, Fr. Tom Farrell bought all of us seminarians burgers at Kroll's.

Which saint should people ask to intercede for your vocation?
I think the saint that people should ask to intercede for my vocation would be St. Francis de Sales. I am currently attending St. Francis de Sales Seminary, and I feel that through his intercession, I may learn to become as devout and patient as he was in discerning his vocation and in his service to God's people.