What is your favorite class?
Pastoral Counseling with Dr. Tim Hogan. Jesus Christ desires healing for his Church, and Dr. Tim Hogan (THE MAN!) really taught us how to engage in that ministry, especially by his own testimony and example.
Has the pandemic impacted the way you view the role of your vocation?
Through the pandemic, the Lord has invited me to be a man of hope for others. My sincere prayer is that God first make me into a man who knows that Jesus Christ is always in control, no matter what is going on, and then from that steadfastness, he enables me to speak the truth to others who are afraid or uncertain in these times.
What do you miss about being in class at the seminary?
The fraternity. One of the best parts of seminary life is being with the brothers.
How are you practicing “spiritual closeness” during “social distancing”?
Liturgical prayer, especially praying the breviary, has reminded me of the spiritual communion we share as baptized men and women. When we participate in the various prayers and devotions of the Church, we “join up” with everyone else, including Our Lord and all the saints, who are already praying on behalf of the entire world. In this sense, prayer has been the greatest escape from any feeling of isolation or loneliness. In Christ, because of the communion of the Church, no Christian is ever really alone.
We’re starting the month of May. Do you have any devotion to the Blessed Mother? How has she guided you on our vocational journey?
As an adult convert to the Church, the relationship I have with Our Lady has grown over the years. It started out pretty weak, but that was because she is a person, and it just took a few years to really get to know one another. I have a special affinity for Our Lady of Good Counsel, Our Lady of Guadalupe (¡que viva!), and the Immaculate Conception. Still, May is very special, because we cannot possibly give her the honor and love she deserves. Any opportunity our Mother Church offers us to honor Our Lady is an opportunity not to be missed.