Thoughts on Priesthood:

Instead of trying to define what priesthood is, I'd rather share something I read a few months ago. Servant of God Emil Kaupan, a priest from the Diocese of Wichita (who was martyred in Korea), wrote these words to his relatives a few weeks before his ordination in 1940: "I have a feeling that I am far, far from being a saint worthy to receive the Priesthood. Think what that means!! To offer up the Living Body and Blood of our Savior every day in the Holy Mass - to absolve souls from sins in Holy Confession - these are only part of the duties that make a person realize that the Vocation to the Priesthood is so sublime that the angels in heaven were not given - no, not even the Blessed Mother was called to be a priest of God - and here I am called!!”

Why I want to be a Priest:

I think that I want to by a priest mainly because I feel called by God to be one. But I also think it is a calling to love. I feel very blessed because I constantly experience God’s love, and I want more people to experience that as well. I want to be an instrument of God’s love, just as parents are instruments of God’s love toward their children. As parents feed their family, I also want to feed the people of God, my family, with the Eucharist, the Bread of Life. As parents forgive their children when they make mistakes, I also want to remind people of God’s mercy and forgiveness through the sacrament of Reconciliation. As parents teach their children, I also want to bring God’s message to the parishioners, both by words and by example. In summary, I want to be a priest because God loves me and I love Him. Now I want to love Him more through His people.

Hobbies & Interests:

I enjoy traveling, especially iwith friends. When I can’t travel, I like going out to see a movie or to venture into a new restaurant. I also like reading, psolvinging Sudokus, and cooking (especially seafood).

Influence:

My main influence were the stories about missionaries in Africa and Asia that I read when I was a kid. I remember being inspired by the pictures of priests celebrating the sacraments. I was also inspired by the example of my pastors, Fr. Bernard Quinn and Fr. Patrick Corrigan.