I am from Eden, New York - New York State's "Garden Spot" and home of the famous Corn Festival. I have no brothers or sisters, but I am very close to my cousins. I graduated at the top of my class from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, NY (close to Albany). I received a Bachelor's of Science in Computer Science with a minor in Information Technology. Throughout college, I worked as an IT Consultant for RPI and as the coordinator of a fundraising program. Both jobs gave me some real-world experience that helped me to land a job soon after college.
          Most of my family lives in Buffalo and fortunately, I was able to return to the Buffalo area for work. I worked at a small engineering firm as Manager of Information Technology. I was responsible for the company's entire computer infrastructure in both their Buffalo, New York and Dublin, Ireland locations. I really loved my job and worked with some interesting people. I held that position for three and a half years, until I decided to enter the seminary.
          So far, seminary life has been wonderful. As I said, I have no brothers or sisters, but the seminary has blessed me with many, many brothers! The seminary community has become an extended family for me.  And yes, just as in a real family, we don't always get along, but that's half the fun!  We are all here because we have one thing in common - we want to know what God is calling us to do in our lives, whether it leads to ordination one day or not.  That is what binds us in a special kind of community and brotherhood.
          This year as a member of the First-Year class, I have taken classes in Scripture, Liturgy and Biblical Greek. It was an awesome feeling to read the Gospel in the original language! Our professors are dedicated and work hard to present us with the opportunity for a top-notch education. Plus, I love the fact that we are able to take classes with lay people. If, God willing, I am ordained some day, these are the people I am going to be working alongside, so it is nice to hear their perspective and faith story as we journey together.
          I discovered my vocation with the help of others. I had a great job and success, but I just began to feel that there was something missing. At first, I could not quite put my finger on it. I had thought of becoming a priest in high school and even earlier, but I decided to go to college and experience life a bit first. After working for a while, I began to feel a sense that I was not fulfilling God's plan for my life. No, there was no "lightning bolt moment" where I heard the voice of God telling me to report to the Seminary in East Aurora, but it was a gradual conversion. Throughout my life, people would make comments to me that I was a good listener, or a good teacher, or any of those things you think of a priest being. After a while, these comments became more numerous and they stuck with me and made me start thinking.
          I talked with my pastor about my vocation and we had a wonderful discussion. He suggested that I contact the Vocations Office. The vocation director was not available, so I left a message. He called me back on Holy Thursday, when we as a church celebrate the institution of the priesthood. I took this as a great sign that maybe I was headed down the right path.
          I would encourage anyone who is thinking of a vocation to the priesthood to inquire - stop by the seminary for mass or dinner or drop me an email. Talk to priests, and I'll bet you that they will all say that their lives are happy and fulfilling and better than they could have ever imagined. Pray about your vocation, talk about it with your close friends and family. Encourage others who you think may have a vocation to the priesthood or religious life. The priesthood is a beautiful gift, and if you are like me, trying to discern where God is calling you to do, please listen with an open heart.