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Discipleship IV
Parish: SS. Edward & Isidore Parish, Flintville
Birthday: January 1
Seminary: St. Francis de Sales
3257 S. Lake Drive
St. Francis, WI 53235-3702
What kind of music do you like to listen to?
Over the years, I have listened to a variety of music, but country and folk style music
have been the go-to genres.
What is your favorite liturgical season and why?
Since a young age, I have always enjoyed serving and entering the Triduum at the Cathedral.
Lent isn’t always enjoyable, but knowing the Lord has conquered death come
Easter Sunday makes it all worth it.
What is one small thing that almost always makes your day better?
My morning routine. Typically, a great morning consists of waking up early so I can
spend time with our Lord, drinking some coffee, and getting some form of physical activity
in. I enjoy a workout or a run at sunrise. The Lord uses the morning to help prepare
me for the day that is to come.
What advice would you give to a young man discerning a priestly vocation?
Keep saying “yes”! In order to hear the call, it is necessary to spend time in prayer
communicating with our Creator. When you are close with our Creator, you will hear His
voice. He may invite you to a St. Andrew Dinner, a silent retreat, to serve at the altar,
to talk with a priest, or to enter the Kairos Year. Trust in the Lord and say “yes” when
He prompts you with an invitation. When it seems scary to take the next step, ask for
Mother Mary’s help because she gives a perfect example of trust.
Our diocesan patron saint, St. Francis Xavier, is also the patron
saint of missions. How do you seek to live as a missionary disciple?
Missionaries like St. Francis Xavier, Fr. Samuel Mazzucheli, Fr. Claude Allouez, St. Isaac
Jogues, and Ven. Bishop Baraga have left an example of being radically dependent
on God when in the mission field. They traveled through all the elements to bring the
Gospel and sacraments to those in need. All of them were willing to give their lives for
the faith.
Over the last few years, I have learned more about these missionaries. They have challenged
me to be great in the little things by their trust in the face of challenges. I seek
to be radically dependent on the Lord so that when the storms come, I can trust that He
will provide. The Gospel still needs to be shared as it was shared before. Everywhere we
go is mission territory, so let’s get after it! Lord, help me to be great in the little things.
Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical is entitled Magnifica Humanitas (literally
‘Magnificent Humanity’). For you, what does it mean to be human?
To be a human is one of the greatest gifts from our Creator because it is an expression
of His great love for us. In the summer of 2026, I had the great privilege of teaching
first and second graders during Totus Tuus about how God created us in His image
and likeness. The children are fascinated by the love their Creator has for them and
the tools they have been given for the mission.
God created the mountains which are beautiful and magnificent, but the pinnacle of
His creation is you. He gave us a soul, intellect, and free will which separate us from
other living things. These tools are what allow us to grow in the likeness of our Creator.
God has given us the ability to be co-creators in His creation. As humans, we
must strive to grow in holiness and virtue and to model our lives after Jesus Christ who
is the ultimate example of the Father’s love. When I was with the children, I had them
repeat a statement that is true and helps us remember the importance of the gift that
God gave us: “My life matters!” Why does it matter? Because God created you out of
love and for a special mission which is to love God and to love others. If we know the
importance of our life, then we will know where true happiness lives and how to share
that love with those around us. My life matters!
