Pastoral year - Basilica Shrine of St. Mary, Wilmington, NC
Seminary: Saint Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach, FL
Birth Date: 04/19/98
Home Parish: Transfiguration of Jesus Catholic Church, Wallace NC
High School: Home School
College: None previous
Hobbies: Reading, Board Games, Card Games, Golf, Football, Legos, and Martial Arts
Who influenced / inspired you to priesthood? Four priests inspired me to the priesthood. Fr. Alex Gonzalez was one of them, as was Fr. Tim Meares, along with Fr. Roch Drozdzik and Fr. Rafael Leon. Deacon Vandiver was also influential in my decision to enter seminary. So was my family.
What would you say to a young man who thinks he may have a vocation? I would say that he should seek the answer in prayer and trust that God will hear him and answer him. Only through prayer and the Church can we learn God’s will. But definitely he should at least pursue it as long as he feels it is his vocation.
Favorite Scripture Passage: My favourite Scripture passage is probably Matthew 28:19-20; “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and behold I am with you always, to the close of the age."
Favorite Saint: St. Thomas the Apostle is my favorite saint because he is my patron saint, but asking to choose a favorite saint is like asking to choose among the stars. There are so many of them, and we look up to them all. But one of the things that makes me like St. Thomas comes from his nickname “Doubting Thomas.” He had doubt, but with God’s help he became one of the most firm believers. In this I hope to follow his example and overcome any doubts I might have to become firm in Christ