I grew up Catholic in Buffalo, NY and came to Portland after college. Through an extended period of profound darkness and searching for truth in all the wrong ways, I drifted far away from Christ and our Catholic Church. But the Lord had other plans! I had a powerful encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ that ultimately changed the course of my life. Just as He did to the prodigal son, our generous and merciful Lord poured out His mercy on me. I discovered, as St. Augustine so wonderfully writes, that my heart had indeed been restless until it finally rested in Him.
After my first confession in nearly 10 years, I very quickly felt a pull to our Eucharistic Lord. I began attending daily Mass and adoration. Gradually, He started changing my hardened heart. He gave me the courage to radically change my lifestyle and instilled in me a hunger and thirst for true food and true drink. As I prayed, I felt a desire to serve the Church and was blessed with the opportunity to work in young adult ministry at Ascension Catholic Church and high school campus ministry. For the first time in my life, I felt fulfilled through serving others and bringing souls to Jesus.
Soon after my reversion, I regularly asked the Lord in adoration, “What do you want me to do?” The repeated answer was, “Follow me.” I was frustrated as I thought, “I am following you!” Eventually I understood this call as the same one that Jesus gave to His first Apostles. Since then, the call to priesthood became stronger and stronger. It was present in so many different settings: often in adoration and at Mass, when I was out in nature enjoying the majesty of God’s creation, and even in sorrowful times.
In the Archdiocese of Portland I have discovered a vibrant Church and Catholic community. I have experienced the Holy Spirit at work in a profound way in this Archdiocese and it is the greatest honor and privilege of my life to be discerning the priesthood here. Since pursuing this call, I’ve experienced a new peace, joy, and sense of purpose.
Following our Lord and discovering the treasures of our Catholic faith has been a wonderful and joyful adventure. While not always easy, especially in the beginning, this adventure has included miracles, answered prayers, and innumerable moments of grace. I feel compelled to extend the same mercy and love He has poured out upon me, an undeserving sinner, to a world desperately in need of the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I want you to know that He is pursuing YOU as well, as if you were the only person He ever created.
Thank you to everyone who has inspired me and continues to support me. I pray that my “yes” to the Lord’s call will inspire others to say yes to Him and ultimately lead souls to Him. All glory and honor to God! Please pray for me and know of my prayers for you.
Prayer for Our Seminarians
Lord Jesus, as you once called the first disciples to make them fishers of men, let your sweet invitation continue to resound: Come Follow Me! We thank you for the gift of these seminarians called to serve in the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon. Inspire them to imitate You, the Eternal High Priest, in sacrificial service to Your Church. Grant perseverance to our seminarians. Give them the graces they need to one day serve You faithfully as priests. May Your light shine through them to everyone they meet. Mary, Mother of the Church, the model of every vocation, help our seminarians to continue to say “yes” to the Lord who calls us to cooperate in the divine plan of salvation. Amen