During college, I joined my campus’ Newman Center and met so many faithful Catholics who helped me continue growing in my faith. During the height of Covid, the local Byzantine Church was the only Catholic Church that remained open in the area. I attended out of necessity at first, but quickly fell in love with the beauty of the Eastern Divine Liturgy.

While many priests through the years encouraged me to consider the priesthood, for so long, I felt unworthy of the office. Many of the saints fled from such a call as well, and this is what I attempted to do for a time. One day, though, a fallen-away-Catholic friend told me that I would make a good priest, and that if I were a priest, she would attend my Mass. This helped me to see that I might have gifts that God could use in the priesthood. For the first time, I knew that I could not run from God’s calling.

I began a time of serious discernment, and received much spiritual direction from devout and loving priests. In addition to this formative spiritual direction, I received some wise counsel that when God places a call on the heart, there’s no reason to fear that calling. Not wanting to delay any longer, I joined the seminary right after college.

The chief desire of my heart is to serve at the altar of the Lord. As a priest of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, I would be blessed with many opportunities to encounter people in the realities of their lives and to walk with them. I would welcome moments to teach the truths of the Faith, and seek to do so in ways that are understandable to all. I desire with all my heart to be a spiritual father to those whom the Lord puts under my care.