Laboure Society
Meet the rest of my class
I grew up in a devout Catholic family of eight. We attended Mass weekly and I served at the altar regularly. I thought of the saints as real-world superheroes, and wished to imitate them. I often played Mass with my sisters, and I remember being profoundly touched during the point in the Eucharistic prayer when the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ. I knew nothing changed into Christ as we played Mass, yet I still recall having a deep sense of reverence for the actions of the priest that invite the Holy Spirit to transform bread and wine into the Eucharist, even at that young age.
My family moved when I was in the seventh grade, and I began going to public school for the first time. I realized then that a lot of people did not grow up the same way I did. Peers began asking me questions about why I did certain things like eating fish on Fridays, praying the rosary, or praying before meals at lunch. I realized that I didn’t really know that much about it. These challenges led me to start seeking answers, first from my parents, then from apologetics resources. In this way, I grew in my knowledge and appreciation of the Catholic faith.
Ever since those days of playing Mass as a kid, I had a desire to be a priest. Inspired by the way priests help others grow closer to God amidst the trials of life, I wondered if the priesthood might be God’s path for me. In high school, I began praying a weekly holy hour, asking God if He was calling me to the priesthood. I sensed that I was called…just not yet. In college, I taught elementary faith formation, joined a Catholic young adult group and began attending annual silent retreats.
Throughout my adult life, whenever a time came for me to enter a new stage, I would ask God if He was calling me to the priesthood. Each time I was told “Not yet.” God has used that extra time since high school to show me both the beauty of His creation and the beauty of the people He has created. He has helped me to grow spiritually, intellectually, and socially. God used much of my time and experience before entering seminary to help me understand and grow in love of Him and the people He brought into my life.
Not until I had been living in Rochester for four years did I finally hear the Lord say I could enter seminary. Upon hearing this, I asked God where I should serve. His answer: Winona.
Within the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, I have encountered priests and seminarians seeking to serve God’s people by bringing hope, joy, beauty, and the truth of God’s love for all. From schools to poverty outreach, prisons to hospitals, churches to farms, there is not an aspect of life into which priests cannot bring God’s love.
I look forward to seeing how God can work in and through me to help bring healing and joy to others as a priest, particularly through the sacrifice of the Mass and the sacrament of Confession. God has worked miracles in my life through these sacraments, and I desire to share His grace by providing these amazing gifts to the people of the Winona-Rochester Diocese.
Please pray for me and for my fellow Labouré classmates on our vocation journeys. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have at: tim@rescuevocations.org
Download a PDF of my story
(The progress bar will be updated as donations are processed.)
Your gift gets our aspirants one step closer to their ordination or profession of vows.