Year of Birth: 1990
Home Parish: St. Catherine of Siena, Vallejo, CA
High School: St. Patrick-St. Vincent, Vallejo, CA
University: N/A
Seminary: Mt. Angel Seminary, St. Benedict, OR
Year in Seminary: Fourth Year College
Mailing Address: 1 Abbey Drive, St. Benedict, OR 97373
Favorite Saint: St. Therese of Lisieux

Thoughts on Priesthood:

Every day it seems as if my love and appreciation for the priesthood grows and expands. Ever since I first began to discern seriously during high school, the priest’s role in other people’s lives has always struck a chord in my heart. From baptizing an infant to preparing a soul for death, the priest’s presence in all aspects of the human life always amazes me. The priest serves in the person of Christ and works to guide us, in accordance with the grace of God, to our true Home heaven. I can not imagine my life without the Sacrament of the Eucharist, from which I receive my true nourishment, or without the Sacrament of Confession from which I receive reconciliation and mercy. The priest’s selflessness and love for Christ’s people has always been a source of inspiration and encouragement in my faith journey, and I would not be where I am if it were not for the many awesome priests I have met in my life.

Why I Want to Be a Priest:

For my former pastor Fr. Kinane, the idea of becoming a priest first occurred through his friend. One day, Fr. Kinane’s friend approached him and suggested entering the seminary. Fr. Kinane replied, “Why?” and his friend quickly responded, “Why not?” For me, that same “Why not?” has stuck with me even until now, along with a plethora of other great reasons. I could list a whole bunch of reasons why priests are awesome or the various aspects of the priesthood that I see myself in, but when it comes down to it, I simply feel that God is calling me to this way of life. Whether God continues to call me all the way to the priesthood is entirely up to him, but when I earnestly pray and reflect on my two years in the seminary, I can honestly say that God has blessed me with so much peace in my decision that I can’t imagine myself anywhere else right now. Its in indescribable feeling, but to sum it up simply: “Why not?”

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

I remember one of the first conversations I had with my mom about becoming a priest: I awkwardly approached my mom in the kitchen and began some small talk about my day with her. After a few minutes, I fumbled a transition into my future. Eventually I stuttered in the question, “What do you think about me becoming a priest?” My mom paused and replied disappointingly, “Well…since God has given you the gift of intelligence, maybe you’re really called to be an engineer or a doctor or something like that.” I remember being hurt and dejected that my parents were not as open to the idea of becoming a priest like I was. However, as my discernment became more serious, I still included them in my decision and thought process. I am blessed to say that during my own time of discernment, my parents also prayed and sought God’s will. I am happy and blessed to say that currently a few years of prayer, discussion, and seeing the the amount of peace and joy I have experienced in my discernment, my parents are fully supportive of my vocation and are my biggest fans and prayer warriors.

What is the hardest part of being in the seminary?

For me, the hardest part of being in the seminary is the personal responsibility required to grow. It is really easy to go through the motions of seminary life and treat the entire experience as a grocery list of things to accomplish before becoming a priest. The cliche saying, “What you put into it is what you are going to get out of it” rings true for my personal seminary formation. I see seminary as a type of spiritual boot camp at times too. The rigorous prayer schedule, the close proximity of other people, the same leftover food four days in a row, and the constant formation of one’s spiritual and personal character all create an environment that really prepares a person not only for the priesthood but also to be a faithful Catholic person.

What is the best part?

I would have to say that without a doubt one of the best parts of seminary life are the amazing friends I have made. Many of my seminarian brothers have been sources of inspiration in my life, as well as sources of encouragement in difficult times. Each person carries unique life experiences and world views, but because we are all Catholic and are discerning a call to the priesthood, a very special bond can be formed within months of meeting someone. Knowing people around the world also helps. For example, I was able to visit my seminarian brothers in Hawaii and experience their Catholic world and the environment that nurtured their vocations. Where else can you meet so many different people united under a single cause?

Who/what influenced your decision to enter the seminary?

Even though my youth group, various people at my parish, and teachers have all played a part in my discernment, I would have to say that a huge influence on my openness to the seminary came from all the random adults that would tell me, “You should be a priest!” Hearing other people encourage me and tell me that it is OK to be a priest made the idea of entering more realistic for me, rather than some far off idea only meant for really holy people. Another major influence came from various young local priests. Growing up, the only priests I knew were much older than me. In 2007, Fr. Jeremy Leatherby, a young priest who grew up in Sacramento, was sent to St. Catherine of Siena parish. Seeing a young priest passionately in love with his priesthood and our Lord inspired me and greatly encouraged my vocation.

Great friends who understood the joy of searching for God’s will were also a great influence. My friend Sean Salvatin has always been a source of knowledge and wisdom in my discernment. When my desire to enter the seminary became very serious in 2008, I asked him for advice on how to create a discernment retreat for myself. He told me not to worry about it and several days later he presented an entire retreat experience to me, complete with prayers, readings, reflections, music and scheduled events. Growing up, God blessed me with an environment filled with amazing people who have encouraged vocations and have also prayed fervently for my journey in discovering God’s will in my life.

Hobbies & Interests:

Basketball, golf, paintball, video games (Beatles’s Rock Band is currently one of my favorites and I am attempting to enter into the world of Super Street Fighter 4), used to perform magic shows for birthday parties, reading about the saints, and eating.

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

Be open and don’t be afraid. Pray earnestly for God’s plan to be enacted in your life. Talking to your local priest is also very helpful and please feel free to contact a seminarian near you =)

Back