Propaedeutic Year
Sant Charles Borromeo Seminary, Ambler, PA
Biography
I grew up in Rowley, Massachusetts, and lived there until I went to college. My family owned a camp in Beddington, Maine, that we frequently visited. Because of this, I grew to love the state of Maine. My father is Jewish, and my mother is a devout Catholic. I was raised Catholic and attended Mass every Sunday with my mother and brother. After receiving first Communion at age eight, I became an altar server and was ecstatic every time I was scheduled to serve. After my confirmation at age 16, I joined the church choir. I began to cantor the following year at the Easter Vigil. I continued to attend Mass and sing during my undergraduate years at SUNY Polytechnic Institute. Following my undergraduate studies, I wanted to pursue a graduate degree in electrical engineering and enrolled in graduate school at the University of Maine, Orono.
After moving to Maine, I became involved in the Newman Center at the University of Maine and in the Parish of the Resurrection of the Lord in Old Town. From the authentic witness of members in these communities, I realized my Catholic faith could not be reserved just for Sunday, but it had to be lived out every day. I began to grow closer to Christ, realize the importance of prayer in my life, and attend daily Mass. During my graduate studies, the Newman Center and Parish of the Resurrection of the Lord communities supported me and helped me grow as a man. For this reason, I call the Parish of the Resurrection of the Lord my home. My first serious thought about a vocation to the priesthood came during a Sunday homily when the priest announced that five men in our young adult community were attending a diocesan vocational discernment retreat. When I heard this, I felt convicted that I should attend the next one. A few months later, I attended that next discernment retreat, and I knew then that I had to seriously consider a vocation to the priesthood.
I graduated from the University of Maine in December 2022 and began working as a power system engineer in Bangor soon after. However, I continued to feel a pull towards the priesthood. I applied to seminary for the Diocese of Portland in the winter of 2025 and was accepted for the fall 2025 semester. I am excited about this opportunity to more deeply discern the diocesan priesthood in seminary formation. I am grateful for the graces I have received from God throughout my life and for the people who have supported me in my faith journey, especially my family and friends.
Fun Facts:
Favorite Saints: Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, St. Ann, St. Andrew, St. John Henry Newman, St. John Vianney, St. Faustina Kowalska , St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Blessed Michael McGivney
Favorite Churches: St. Ann in Bradley, Holy Family in Old Town, St. Ann in Penobscot Nation, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland, St. Mary in Rowley, Mass., St. Mary in Georgetown. Mass., Basilica of St. Mark in Venice, Italy
Favorite Authors: C. S. Lewis, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Scott Hahn
Hobbies: Singing, playing cribbage, fishing (ice and open water), basketball, kayaking
Favorite foods: Tacos/burritos, chicken, potatoes, various curries and rice, spaghetti
