Blog

I learned fancy french terms like “pas du chat” (which means “step of the cat”), how to turn without getting dizzy, and that actual ballerinas have to be really, really strong. Some more complicated jumps and turns took my days of practice to achieve correctly. Even after a lot of practice, I probably looked less-than-graceful. But the simplest concepts, like standing with proper form, proved to be a lesson all their own, too. 

Thinking about the future made me super excited as a kid. I wanted to be a scientist, and then a paleontologist, until I wanted to be a movie director and… That zeal eventually ran out as I grew up. I learned about how every career I wanted was competitive and uncertain. I instead longed for something more abstract and basic - a life of meaning, purpose, adventure, and honor. I wanted a simpler and humbler way of life, one where I could grow in my relationship with God and help others. And, here I am discerning the priesthood now!

At the start of a new year, I see people striving to read more, and I am definitely among that crowd. I recently finished a book that was gifted to me by a friend titled, “Rediscovering the Pearl of Great Price”, and it is my number-one book recommendation right now. In this book, the author Rev. Thomas L. Vandenberg shares his view of marriage from a priestly perspective. He aims to emphasize just how life-changing the sacrament of Matrimony is not only for the couple, but for others who know them as well. There are many things from this book that I desire to share with you all, some of which you will read today, and I think this book is one that everyone needs to add to their reading list. Consider this a mini book review followed by some bite-sized reflections!

There is not much I love doing more than getting up at 5 am and driving to a city two hours away.

Getting up at 5 a.m. allowed me to meet a young man who moved from New York City to Kansas on his own at the age of 14 to have a more wholesome high school life. Getting up at 5 a.m. led me to a community I had never encountered before and could learn from. Getting up at 5 a.m. taught me that you should always ask a 14 year old boy with a microphone what his dad joke is BEFORE he shares it with the group.

 A group of friends, including my older brother and our campus minister, put on a retreat for students approaching confirmation. This experience was one that definitely demanded a lot from us. For each of us differently, we had to step out of our comfort zones through praying over individual students or answering the difficult Q&A questions.

Once I hit my pillow that night, I was out for nearly 12 hours, and I can’t remember the last time I fell asleep so fast.