I grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina, the youngest of three children. My parents gave us a wonderful example of faith, from Mass every Sunday to sending us to our parish's school, which was so close we could walk, to a few traditional customs to mark the passage of liturgical times and seasons.

While a child, I had the beginnings of a vocation to the priesthood. Later in my youth, this sense of a vocation became somewhat clouded by plans and ideas for my success, which I thought would bring happiness. Somewhat providentially, God used these desires and interests to get me in the “right place” by moving to Huntsville for university to pursue those plans. During my time in college, I experienced an inner conversion to prayer, which reawakened the desire to serve the Lord and others through the priesthood, particularly in my new home of north Alabama.

Being ordained to serve as a deacon this summer is very exciting. It serves as a pivotal moment in the past five years of seminary study and emphasizes that there is a priority of service to all in my future ministry. Nonetheless, being ordained a deacon is not the end, as I still have a year of study left to grow in knowledge and prepare to be entrusted with the care of souls as a priest. As my time in seminary has progressed, I have noted a shift in emphasis towards a pastoral focus. During this upcoming time in the transitional diaconate, I look forward to seeing how the many theology classes are integrated into life in a parish.