Date of Birth: 1983
Home Parish: St. Catherine of Siena, Vallejo
High School: Hogan High School
University: UC Davis
Seminary: St. Patrick’s Seminary
Year in Seminary: First Year Theology
Mailing Address: 320 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025
Favorite Saint: Too many to choose, but I’ll go with St. Therese of Lisieux

Thoughts on Priesthood:

I think my thoughts on the priesthood are quite simple. In the words of Archbishop Fulton Sheen, “the priest is not his own.” Throughout my journey of faith, the notion of selflessness is one things that sticks out to me with all the priests I have been blessed to know and work with. It is so amazing to see how much a priest is part of people’s lives, understanding that their lives and their service is never for themselves. Whether it is in hearing a person’s confession, or sitting in a dunk tank for a youth fundraiser, or just joining parishioners for a meal you see the selflessness of their ministry. It is a beautiful thing.

Why I Want to Be a Priest:

There are plenty of reasons “I want to be a priest.” There are also plenty of reasons I might want to be married and have a family. After all the discernment, I hope to offer up what I desire and I want, and let God’s will reign. Don’t get me wrong, I am excited about a lot of things priests do. I want to be there at important moments in people’s lives, I want to be able to provide the faithful with the sacraments, I want to be able to spread God’s word. Those things excite me, but ultimately, I want to do what God wants me to do. In the words of St. Therese, “I fear only one thing—to keep my own will; take it, my God, for I choose all that You choose.”

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

My family has been amazingly supportive. Sure, they were a bit surprised by decision to enter the seminary when I first told them, but they support me greatly. At first my mom was concerned about her possible lost grandmotherhood, but she understands that that is not up to her.

What is the hardest part of being in the seminary?

Being away from my family and friends, and not having enough time to do actual hands-on ministry, particularly youth ministry.

What is the best part?

There a lot of answers to this question, but I will settle on “brotherhood.” One of the best parts of being in the seminary is the relationships you form with your fellow brother seminarians. It is amazing to share this experience with brothers with different backgrounds and different personalities, but all journeying in the same direction.

Who/what influenced your decision to enter the seminary?

Great priests, great saints, and Catholics who are proud of their Catholic identity.

Hobbies & Interests:

Graphic design, photography, poetry, volleyball, basketball, watching movies, songwriting, eating out at new/interesting restaurants, traveling, but nothing beats hanging out with good friends, good food and a few bottles of wine.

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

Pray. Pray with specificity. Prepare yourself to abandon everything into God’s hands.

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