Formation Stage

Configuration Stage I

Home Parish

St. Vincent de Paul, Huntington Beach

Seminary

Mount Angel Seminary

Favorite Saint(s)

St. Miachel, St. Thérèse of Lisueax, St. Faustina, St. Joesph, St Anthony of Padua, St.’s Augustine and Monica.

Favorite Marian Apparition(s)

Our Lady of Lourdes- favorite Marian Devotion, the Rosary and the Litany of Loretto

Favorite Book or Movie

A Severe Mercy, The Great Divorce, Catholicism by Bishop Barron, Anything by Peter Kreeft- Favorite movie: Gladiator

Favorite Hobby

Reading, Hiking, cooking, watching comedies

Background

What are some of the factors that led to your decision to enter the seminary and discern the question of a vocation to the priesthood?

I truly felt the Lord call me, as clear as can be, about ten years ago- as a convert from evangelicalism, I never thought about being a priest until right after my conversion. Since then this is my second time in seminary after taking a break and my conviction is that much stronger and even more deeply rooted. Nothing I have pursued in life comes close to bringing me more joy and internal peace than this. Having some financial issues taken care of that were preventing me from moving forward also has been a signal grace.

Who are some of the people who influenced your decision to enter the seminary? What is it about them that assisted you?

Msgr. Kerry Beaulieu, Fr. Steve Sallott, Fr, Brandon Dang, Fr. Andrew Bartus among many other good and holy priests- also some amazing Catholic lay people who I got to know who spoke into my life and encouraged me and prayed for me

Describe the moment that you knew you wanted to take the next steps to become a priest?

I never lost the deep desire or calling after having taken a break post Pre-Theology, but it was when I continued to draw closer to Our Lady and St. Joseph and spent more time in Adoration that I felt it even deeper that this was the path to sanctification that Jesus was calling me to walk.