I grew up in the countryside of Hartford, Wisconsin. Our parish was St. Kilian where we went to Mass as a family and us kids attended grade school. For high school, I went to Hartford Union High School where some of my best memories come from playing in the band (trumpet) and running track and cross country. After high school, I studied atmospheric science at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. From young on I had an intense interest in meteorology. The summer before my senior year of college, I began discerning a call to the priesthood. Nevertheless, I continued my studies at UW-Milwaukee where I graduated with a master’s degree in the same field. By that time, I applied to the seminary and was accepted. After entering seminary, I studied philosophy at our St. Francis de Sales seminary. Incidentally, Fr. Edward Sanchez and I are classmates and good friends. I did my theology studies in Rome and my license (similar to a master’s degree) is focused on the history of the early Church, especially Saint Irenaeus of Lyon in the second century.
I love being a priest and I am looking forward to returning home for pastoral ministry in Fond du Lac. The sacraments of the Church are an incredible gift whereby we are continually in contact with our Lord today in preparation for the life to come. I am looking forward to getting to know the Holy Family community in Fond du Lac.