In high school, I had a few key teachers who made an impression on me. One in particular challenged me intellectually and spiritually. He assigned me to translate 1 Corinthians 13. At first it felt like just another assignment, but then it struck me at the core of my heart. Faith wasn’t just academic anymore — it was personal.

I went to college at the University of Dallas to study Latin, Ancient Greek and math, and eventually earn my master’s in Classics. While there, I learned about the Eastern Catholic Churches and a door opened that would stay open for the rest of my life. It showed me the universality of the Church and the richness of its traditions.

When I found St. Basil’s Byzantine Catholic Church, it became my spiritual home. I began serving at the altar and praying the Divine Praises — Vespers and Matins —which I both practiced and promoted. That marked the beginning of my discernment. It wasn’t just the Divine Liturgy that drew me in; it was the people. From newcomer to one of the chanters in our choir, I felt a genuine sense of family and belonging. Between studying, teaching, and serving at church under good, holy mentors, my vocation steadily grew, until I realized I was being prepared for the priesthood.

I’m now a Ruthenian Catholic seminarian, studying for the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh. I’m married, and my wife and I have two children and another on the way. Seminary hasn’t always been easy, but it has clarified my calling.

My time at our current parish has also confirmed for me the kind of ministry I want to have. We’ve helped organize a coffee hour there, welcomed back families who hadn’t attended in years, and fostered a strong sense of belonging. That kind of quiet, consistent service is what I think parish ministry is about. While not always dramatic, it provides meaningful impact by highlighting Christ in the everyday.

I most look forward to serving the Divine Liturgy and the Divine Praises as a priest, hearing confessions, and offering the sacraments. I also hope to continue teaching and helping others understand the depth of the Church’s liturgical life, especially in the Byzantine tradition. I want to be the kind of priest who doesn’t just explain things well, but who prays well with his people and stays with them when life gets hard.