Hometown: Hudson, OH
Year in Formation: Deacon
High School: St. Ignatius High School (Cleveland, Ohio), 2014
College: Holy Cross College (Notre Dame, IN), 2018
College Major: Theology & Liberal Studies
Previous Jobs: Freelance Photographer
Patron Saint: St. Nicholas of Myra,St. Teresa of Calcutta – My birthday is Mother Teresa’s feast day. Her joy and commitment to Christ’s people even in the midst of hardship has always been inspiring to me. Mother Teresa is a great intercessor & heavenly friend for me!
Favorite Movie: The Godfather Part I & II, The Deer Hunter, Lady Bird
Favorite Books: A Secret History by Donna Tartt, Out of Africa by Karen Blixen
Favorite Music: Maggie Rogers, Mumford & Sons, A R I Z O N A
Hobbies: Photography, Filmmaking, Reading
Most Memorable Prayer/Liturgy you have Attended: Easter Mass at St. Peter’s Square
Place of Pilgrimage you Most Want to Visit and why: The Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. I have a deep devotion to Our Lady and have wanted to visit and pray at Lourdes for some time now. The Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes is my favorite spot on Notre Dame’s campus, and I have been a frequent visitor over the past 9 years. So it would be great to visit the Grotto in Lourdes.
Favorite Way to Pray: Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, Lectio Divina
Favorite Devotion: Marian Consecration, Sacred Heart of Jesus
What Drew you to Holy Cross: I felt drawn to Holy Cross due to the warm welcome I received upon my first visit to Old College Undergraduate Seminary back in 2013. I was stuck by how clear it was that all of the seminarians, priests, and brothers deeply loved and cared for each other and deeply loved the Lord. This welcome and love for each other and the Lord inspired me to apply to the Old College program, and this, as well as the great ministerial work of Holy Cross religious, made me want to profess final vows as a Holy Cross religious.
Your Vocation Story: I grew up attending a dynamic parish outside of Cleveland, Ohio. When I was in high school, there were 10 men in formation for the Diocese of Cleveland who grew up at my parish. So, it was almost natural for me to think of the priesthood. I was also greatly influenced by the Life Teen program at my parish and by various faith-based clubs and organizations at my Jesuit High School. I had known various religious communities throughout my life: Dominican sisters ran my grade school, Jesuits my high school, and I knew a Holy Cross brother and priest growing up. Thus, it also was natural for me to explore different religious communities. After I visited the Old College Program, I was struck by the great joy and zeal of the Holy Cross religious I met. It is crazy to think that I entered formation in Holy Cross 9 years ago. These years have been the most joy filled of my life. I have been inspired by my communal life and animated by personal and common prayer. I have also been affirmed in my vocation in my ministry placements. Life in Holy Cross is truly a blessed one.
Ways that you resonate with the Holy Cross charism, “Educators in the Faith”: As Educators in the Faith, the Congregation of Holy Cross teaches many inside but also outside of the classroom. Our charism is more than teaching in schools but instead forming those one ministers to. This formation and commitment to all we serve is what inspires me about Holy Cross’ charism.
One aspect of Holy Cross spirituality that speaks to you the most and why: I am inspired by Fr. Moreau’s remarkable trust in God: his commitment to – as Jesus instructed us – take up his hardships and carry them with Christ. This is especially inspiring to me as a young religious. I am also particularly struck by our community’s commitment to Mary as Our Lady of Sorrows, a great patron for us all.
Favorite Verse: “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.” – John 15:16-17
Favorite Quote: “Be kind and merciful. Let no one ever come to you without coming away better and happier.” – St. Teresa of Calcutta
How can visitors to this page pray for you? Pray for me as I begin active ministry as a Campus Minister and part of the Residential Life team at the University of Portland. Please, too, pray for my classmates as we profess final vows and are ordained to the Diaconate and Priesthood. God is good!