I am the youngest of five children and was baptized Catholic as an infant. My father was in the Army, so we moved around a lot when I was little. While priesthood wasn’t on my mind from a young age, I did get nudges, quite literally. When I was little, if a priest mentioned vocations in a homily, my father would give me a nudge and whisper, “Father John.” As a child, it was a bit annoying, but now as I near ordination, I look back at those small teasing encouragements with fondness.

As I look forward to my diaconate ordination this December, I also look forward to the ministry in which I will engage in during the following months. Rather than returning to seminary after ordination, I will be serving at a parish here in the diocese full time. Having been in seminary for over six years at this point, I am excited to be able to enter fully into diaconal ministry. I am excited to begin preaching at Mass, celebrating baptisms, and all the rest that goes with parish life. We spend a lot of time studying in the seminary, and I am anticipating putting into practice what I have learned and being able to share the fruits of these years of prayer and formation. Know of my prayers for all of you here in the diocese, and please continue to pray for me as I enter this final period of formation.