I grew up in Amherst, NY and worked through high school and college holding various positions in both the Food & Beverage and Administration Departments for a Buffalo based hotel management company.

Throughout childhood and adolescent I was raised in various Protestant denominations (Assembly of God, Baptist, and Non-Denominational), yet always felt a draw to the Catholic faith. Slowly over many years of exploration I learned the history, traditions, and beliefs of the Church which ultimately guided me to conversion. At eighteen years old I entered the RCIA process and soon after was received into the Universal Church receiving the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation.

My calling to priesthood, ironically, has lasted much longer than my time in the Catholic faith. From going to Mass at a very young age with grandparents and other family, attending funerals, weddings, etc., I was always in awe of the priest. His life is fully dedicated to the service of God and the Church; playing a central role in the faith of people, being a leader in worship and sacrifice.

After finishing college and taking some time for myself to work and enjoy freedom from school did I finally come face to face with my years of being called. The fundamental queston, "Now what?" so often asked by young adults was at the forefront of my mind. Finally then did I turn to God to further discern this feeling that I was called to be a priest, seeking no longer my idea for life's direction but God's.

Clarify came with the realization that I have only one life and it is short, why put off the decision any longer when I could find out now if priesthood is the life that I am called to. In an act of faith, knowing that God takes care of those whom He loves, I decided to jump into the hands of the Father giving Him my trust.

To those thinking about priesthood, God calls in so many different ways to people with a variety of gift and talents. He made you with strengths and weaknesses, never let the weaknesses stop you but rather focus on your strengths and how you can put them to use for the benefit of the Kingdom. God is already asking you to follow Him in some way, all we have to do is quietly listen and respond. The Diocesan Vocation Office, priests, and seminarians here at Christ the King Seminary are available to talk with you if you feel God might be calling you to follow Him in the role of priest; don't hesitate to reach out.