I am originally from Varysburg, NY. I have three older sisters, four nieces and one nephew. My parents are both deceased. I still belong to a firefighter marching band that marches up to around 35 gigs per summer (I don't make nearly that many any more!). Out of high school, I went into the work force.  Among my jobs, I worked: as a grocery stock boy; re-upholstered and refinished furniture; as a portrait artist at Darien Lake amusement park; as an orderly in a nursing home; made subs and specialty pizzas in a deli; in a news store; and for thirteen years I worked as a toll collector for the NYS Thruway Authority. I resigned from the Thruway in 1999, sold my house and most of my belongings and enrolled at Canisius College in Buffalo, NY. I lived at the Pope John Paul II Residence, a house of discernment, while attending Canisius. I shared this living experience with men from Poland, Columbia, Sudan and Venezuela.
            After graduating from Canisius in 2003 with a Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy, I began Christ the King Seminary in the fall. I am finishing my 4th year. I am taking four classes: Canon Law, Liturgical Practicum III, Bioethics and Sacrament of Healing. My field education experience in 2004-2005 included volunteering at The Response to Love Center in Buffalo, which is a place that provides hot meals for local residents, has two thrift shops, a food pantry and offers GED classes and computer classes. In 2006 -2007, I was a campus minister at Bishop Timon High School, an all boy Catholic high school. I gave vocation talks to over 265 young men, many who expressed interest in a possible vocation to the priesthood.
          I originally thought about priesthood when I was about eleven or twelve years old. I was an altar boy and was attracted to the Eucharistic Prayer. I wanted to be like Father Joe and do the things Father Joe did at Mass. However, I was very shy and could never have committed to priesthood right out of high school. Over the years while working in the toll booths, I started re-thinking the priesthood. I recalled words from my pastor, Father Joe: "One day, Jimmy, you will be up here on the altar with me." I thought he was crazy at the time. It took time for me to grow and allow the words to sink in. I wanted to be a priest because the Eucharist had become so vital to my life. I now believe that I am heading in the direction that God wants me to be. I will be ordained a Catholic priest on May 17, 2008. All I know is that I want nothing more than to bring Jesus Christ to others, and others to Jesus Christ through the Word, the sacraments and especially the Eucharist. I encourage our single Catholic men to consider their vocational call from God and God might be calling them to serve. If you feel a tug in your heart, chances are it is coming from God. The only way to find out is to be willing to try.