I always felt a strong call to the priesthood. I grew up in a fairly large parish in my hometown that, until 1990, always had three priests. That positive experience with the priesthood, where I always had at least one priest who I could identify with well, made the priesthood something I wanted to pursue.

I come from a typical middle class Catholic family background. Regular weekly attendance at Mass was always part of my upbringing. I attended a Catholic grade school run by Dominican sisters who were very committed and I also attended Catholic high school.

I attended Illinois College, a private college in my hometown that is recognized as a very good school. I entered Illinois College after spending one semester at a community college. I did not attend college seminary out of respect for my parents desire that I not enter the seminary at that age.

After college I called the Vocations Office and entered the seminary for the Diocese of Rockford in the fall of 1999. I have been in the seminary ever since.

--1990 Synod of Bishops.