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Spiritual and Life Update - Late Fall/Early Winter 2025

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Dear Readers, Hard to believe we’ve already reached the Third Sunday of Advent. Time has a way of moving faster than we expect. A brief life update is in order. I am currently working toward a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction. It is a long title, but one that is preparing me well for a lasting career in education. I continue to serve in the field, now as a Paraeducator rather than an afterschool teacher. The work is steady and meaningful, and I am grateful for the strong school community to which I have been assigned. On a more personal note, my father and stepmother have decided to end their marriage after thirteen years. This has been difficult news, but I am thankful that I will continue to maintain a relationship with both of them. My father is now living with my brother and me, and we may soon relocate within town to be closer to my aging grandmother. Family, especially in moments like these, comes first. I also recently completed a legal name change. This was a per...
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Spiritual and Life Update - Summer 2025

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Dear Readers, It’s been a few months since my last post, and I’m happy to reconnect with you. Life has been both busy and exciting these past few months. Now that my work has wrapped up for the summer and, by the grace of God, I’ve graduated with my bachelor’s degree, I find myself with more time to reflect, write, and focus on new pursuits. One of my main goals this summer is to continue developing my capstone project. What began as a senior paper has grown into something much more meaningful to me. I’m actively working to expand and refine it into a full historical research study, with the hope of eventually submitting it for publication in an academic journal. It’s been a rewarding process—digging deeper into the material, exploring new sources, and finding fresh connections in the history that first inspired the project. In addition to my research efforts, my discernment journey continues, slowly but steadily. Recently, I had a thoughtful and encouraging meeting with Fr. Ellis to r...
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Discerning the Call: A Journey of Faith, Education, and Decision

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Dear Readers, I know I’ve been leaving you all in suspense, especially when it comes to sharing my journey toward the Priesthood. Rest assured, I’ve been working closely with my Spiritual Director, Fr. Juan, to deepen my understanding of my vocation and strengthen my spiritual life. Recently, I had the privilege of attending the Chrism Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where I met three other men who are also discerning a call to the Priesthood. We had the chance to share a meal together afterward, and it was a truly beautiful day, filled with the inspiration and presence of the Holy Spirit. In addition to this, I have a quick personal update: I’ve just submitted my final assignment for my Bachelor's Degree! With that major milestone behind me, I’m grateful for a short break before the big day on June 12th. However, as I move forward, I find myself at a crossroads—should I pursue full-time work to pay off my student loans, or continue my studies, which would mean taking on more debt...
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My Vocations Journey: First Steps

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Dear Readers, I am excited to share a significant update on my journey of faith. For some time now, I have felt a calling from the Lord to discern the priesthood in His Holy Church. After much encouragement from Fr. Juan, our newest Parochial Vicar, I reached out to the Diocese of Norwich to take the next steps in this discernment process. The journey has not been without its challenges, particularly with recent transitions in the vocations office staff. However, I was finally able to connect with the Diocese's new Vocations Director, Fr. Jeffrey R. Ellis. Until recently, Fr. Ellis served as the Parochial Vicar at St. Michael Parish in Pawcatuck, which is also the home parish of my late Parochial Vicar, Fr. George Richards. Fr. Ellis and I met for dinner at a local diner, where we had an in-depth conversation about my call to the priesthood, my family background, and various aspects of the vocations journey. He recommended a podcast to help deepen my understanding and suggested ...
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In My Love, Abide: Another Weekend at Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center

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Dear Friends, This weekend, I had the opportunity to “come, and rest awhile” at the Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center in West Hartford for my second themed retreat, titled In My Love, Abide . This theme is inspired by the Gospel of John, where Jesus says, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love” (John 15:9). I arrived Friday night a bit later than planned, as I had to stay at work a little longer than expected. Upon arrival, I was warmly greeted by Ted, the retreat center’s registrar, who handed me my room assignment, which turned out to be the same as last year’s. This retreat was particularly special because I was joined by my brother Nicholas, who was attending for the first time. We started the evening with a delicious dinner, a wonderful way to begin our retreat experience. After dinner, we gathered in the main conference room for the introductory session, where the retreat team introduced them...
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