I was raised in the Catholic faith by my parents and received the sacraments of initiation. This formation, for which I have much to be grateful, was essential. Moving to the South as a teenager, I quickly encountered peers in school who sought to convert me to various Protestant denominations. Though their intentions may have been good, I was often left confused. Because of this new challenge, I sought instruction through the local parish RCIA course. I enjoyed the RCIA classes so much that I repeated them the next year. This experience brought some clarity and peace along with a stronger desire to share the Catholic faith.

Throughout college and my work career, I sought to share the faith through various Catholic apostolates. I also had a desire to marry and have a family, yet I had a sense that there was somehow more: more to share; more to give.

While living and teaching English in Ecuador, along with some spiritual direction, I decided that I must at least apply to seminary to discover if a vocation as a Catholic priest could be the way forward. It was in seminary where the four pillars of priestly formation seemed to come together: human, spiritual, academic and pastoral. Although I did not know for certain that I would become a priest, each year in seminary solidified a desire and peace toward this goal. With that said, I encourage young men who seek to share the Sacred Heart of Jesus to pursue this worthy vocation through spiritual direction from a priest of the diocese so as to discern their call from our Blessed Lord to serve Him and the good people of central and northern Alabama.