Hometown: Mooresville, IN
Year in Formation: Senior
High School: Roncalli High School (Indianapolis, IN), 2020
College: Holy Cross College (Notre Dame, IN), 2024
College Major: Psychology and Philosophy
Previous Jobs: USSSA Baseball Umpire, Courtesy Clerk for Kroger
Patron Saint: Saint George because his story of immense pain and conflict inspired me to stay true to my faith no matter what life throws at me.
Favorite Movie: Good Will Hunting, Pursuit of Happiness
Favorite Books: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl,The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis, The Heart of the Matter by Graham Greene
Favorite Music: Dave Matthews Band
Hobbies: Volleyball, ultimate frisbee, reading, hiking, playing and listening to music
Most Memorable Prayer/Liturgy you have Attended: The Easter Vigil Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica this past semester in Rome.
Place of Pilgrimage you Most Want to Visit and why: Our Lady of Guadalupe. I have always had a strong devotion to Mary, so it would be amazing to visit one of the famous places where she has appeared.
Favorite Way to Pray: Lectio divina
Favorite Devotion: Sacred Heart of Jesus
What Drew you to Holy Cross: The familial structure of Holy Cross drew me into joining. From my first visit, I could clearly see a love for the Lord, as well as a strong commitment to community life in Holy Cross. This feeling was nourished throughout my time in formation, which is a large reason for my continual discernment with Holy Cross.
Your Vocation Story: As a young boy, I had the privilege of serving at Mass every week. It was there that I first encountered the love of Christ as I gazed up at his Body and Blood being raised during Mass. While I did not fully understand what was happening, there was a clear feeling of the love that radiates constantly from Christ. that same priest, Fr. Vince Lambert, truly demonstrated that the life of a priest, while difficult, is extremely joyful and filled with love. Through his witness to the joys of priesthood, I began to notice a growing desire in my heart to follow in his footsteps and pursue the priesthood. For me, this would the be life that would allow me to fully demonstrate the love of Christ to those around me.
Ways that you resonate with the Holy Cross charism, “Educators in the Faith”: From the beginning of high school, I have taken much delight in helping my fellow classmates learn a new subject or learn something new about our faith. Further into my high school career, I was involved in a program called the Liturgy Leadership Team. With this position, I had the amazing opportunity to teach other students about the Mass and the particular roles within it. My main task was to train and help students become Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. The idea of helping my classmates and friends grow in their faith still resonates with me today and brings a smile to my face every time I think back to those moments.
One aspect of Holy Cross spirituality that speaks to you the most and why: The Holy Cross motto, “Hail the Cross, our only Hope,” has been at the front of my conscious since I first heard these words a few years ago. Throughout my life, I always had a strong commitment to the faith. I found through personal experiences that I could always go to the cross and lay down my worries and doubts in times of struggle. The feeling I obtained when I gave my problems to the cross is unexplainable. I continue to lay down my problems to the cross, and that never fails to help me overcome any obstacles I face. These interactions have taught me the true meaning of how Jesus will be with me every step of the way no matter what, and knowing that fills me with tranquility.
Favorite Verse: “Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.'” – John 6:68-69
Favorite Quote: “If we place many stumbling blocks in his path and don’t do a thing to remove them, how will he be able to come to us?” – St. Teresa of Ávila
Favorite Bl. Basil or St. André Quote: “Living the life of Jesus Christ means struggling to overcome sin and resisting the vanity of this world.” – Bl. Basil Moreau
How can visitors to this page pray for you? Pray for my continual surrender to Christ!