Writing
A collection of my writing — reflections, speeches, parish visits, and bulletins.
Spring 2020
Things are, largely, going well for Peter and me, as well as the rest of the guys here. I think it is safe to say that the current crisis of the Church weighs on us during this time of formation, but it is two-fold: on the one hand, it would be a lie to say that we are not tired of reading headline after headline of scandal, abuse and cover-up (etc.) On the other hand, as I’m sure all of us have experienced in our own way, Christ makes all things new – even evil.
Fall 2019
Things are, largely, going well for Peter and me, as well as the rest of the guys here. I think it is safe to say that the current crisis of the Church weighs on us during this time of formation, but it is two-fold: on the one hand, it would be a lie to say that we are not tired of reading headline after headline of scandal, abuse and cover-up (etc.) On the other hand, as I’m sure all of us have experienced in our own way, Christ makes all things new – even evil.
Hope, Life, and Affirmation
I am honored to have had some presence in the grace-filled weekend the Freedom Team led. Personally, I received so many blessings over the course of the 36 short hours we were together. Principal among them were the grace of renewed hope, the gift of life, and a sense of affirmation from our Heavenly Father.
Season of Hope
As we head into Advent and Christmas, hope is the “key word” of the times. These two seasons express most fully the hope Christ continues to bring to the world through His incarnation over two millennia ago. I pray that this year, the grace of this gift will truly flow into the Church. This is a trying time for us, and we could all use a dose of it.
"Iron Sharpens Iron"
Unarguably, the biggest influences on any man (that I know) who is discerning priesthood are the priests that have affected his life. For me, this is also true. But perhaps a close second is the support and example of friends and peers, their insight into their own lives and/or their advice to me for my own life, which points me to the path Christ has set for me.
A Thank You
As the past three months have gone by, I have not only learned a lot about the reality of running a parish, but have also been afforded many opportunities to grow in my understanding of who God is and how He reveals Himself to us through His Works and Church. All of this has been very touching for me and will, I know, serve as a powerful tool in the (long) process of discerning priesthood. I am indebted to everyone who has helped make these past few months a time of serious learning and growth for me.