Year of Birth: 1986
Home Parish: Holy Spirit Parish, Fairfield CA
High School: Rodriguez High School, Fairfield CA
University: California State University Sacramento
Seminary: Mount Angel Seminary & currently St. Patrick’s Seminary
Year in Seminary: Second Year Theology
Mailing Address: 320 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park CA 94025
Favorite Saint: Saint Raphael the Archangel

Thoughts on Priesthood:

A priest is an instrument of God to make His presence known to the world. I see no greater joy in the world than to bring Christ to the people and bring the people to Christ.

Why I Want to Be a Priest:

After a very powerful encounter with God at a young adult charismatic retreat at my home parish in March of 2006, I realized I was missing something very important in my life. I didn’t know or have Christ at the center of my life. Since then I made sure Christ was always at the center of my life and number one in my heart. One month after the young adult retreat, I attended Eucharistic Adoration for the first time. It was then that everything finally “clicked” for me. I understood Christ was truly present in the Eucharist and He wanted us to have a real relationship with Him. I felt God was calling me closer to Himself, calling me to serve Him as a priest. In the summer of 2007, I went on a mission trip to Mexico with young adults from the northern part of the diocese. We built two houses, painted a convent, and were present to the poor families of the village. The mission trip confirmed my prayers, thoughts, and feelings about entering seminary.

How did your family and friends react when you made that decision? Are they supportive now?

My family was very surprised when I told them about the calling. It took some time for them to get used to the idea of their son becoming a priest. But since I entered seminary I have seen their faith and relationships with God increase a great deal. They are now very supportive of my vocation. My friends were supportive from the very beginning. It is great to have the support and prayers of my friends and family.

What is the hardest part of being in the seminary?

Academics are my biggest challenge in seminary. Good study habits and maintaining discipline in study are essential.

What is the best part?

The friendships I have made in seminary with my brother seminarians are irreplaceable. We all come from different backgrounds, cultures, and ages but we all share in the journey of following God’s will in our lives.

Who/what influenced your decision to enter the seminary?

A newly ordained priest in 2007 once told me, “You can only discern so much in the world. There comes a point in discernment where you have to trust God and take the next step to enter seminary, to truly discern your vocation.”

Hobbies & Interests:

Traveling near and far, spending time with family and friends, playing tennis, football, and basketball, San Diego Superchargers, Sacramento Kings, pizza, music, hip-hop/rap, classical, composing and performing Catholic rap music.

What advice would you give to a young man thinking about the priesthood?

Spend time before the Blessed Sacrament in adoration and stay close to the Blessed Virgin Mary. If you want to see a fun sneak peek at seminary life, check out my “SEMINARY” music video under Vocation Videos on this website. Here is verse three of my song…

We all have a call, why you keep wanting to stall?
Trust in God, just get on his squad
Be not afraid, Gods already there
Past, present, future, He’s with you everywhere
The life of a priest, is the best to say the least
Bringing Christ to the world, a greater joy, I can’t see
A holy and faithful priest is what I hope to be
Maybe someday you’ll be concelebrating with me
But until then remember Luke 10:27
Oh yea! What was that sermon?
Love God with all your strength, mind and soul
Can I get an AMEN!

S-E-M-I-N-A-R-Y
Come over here if you’re hearing God’s call
S-E-M-I-N-A-R-Y
It hurt just to check it out, at all

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