The thought about possibly becoming a priest first struck me when I was in the first grade. I attended school at my parish, Saint Charles Borromeo-in my hometown of Fort Wayne, Indiana-and through my Catholic education I was introduced to the faith. My parents encouraged my younger sisters (Kristin and Kathleen: they're twins!) and me to be involved in our parish, and so we served, sang and played musical instruments for Sunday masses, weddings and funerals. As I volunteered in the parish, I began to learn who a priest truly is and what he really does. I am blessed for having known several priests at our parish personally, and I am truly grateful for their inspiring examples.

After finishing eighth grade at Saint Charles, I moved on to begin high school at Bishop Dwenger (a Catholic high school in Fort Wayne). I was very active in high school; I loved going to football and basketball games, waterskiing, rooting for the Colts, hiking, backpacking, and I played my saxophone in many bands at Dwenger. Although I packed my schedule with various activities-as most high school students do-I still enjoyed being an altar server and playing music for masses, so these things stayed a priority in my life.

I began to seriously consider entering seminary for the diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend during my senior year, but I eventually decided to attend Hanover College. While at Hanover I studied philosophy and French, and an interest in these subjects soon grew to a passion. I have studied in France twice, and, frankly, I have a special weakness for all things French. After my first year of college, I transferred to Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, in Winona.

During my years of discernment at Saint Mary's, a deep affection for university life and study began to grow in me. I found one of my professors to be particularly challenging and inspiring, and as I began to learn the philosophy which drove him, I began to find his way of life irresistibly attractive. He is a Dominican priest, and his devotion to the teachings of Saint Thomas Aquinas sincerely moved me. After several visits to various Dominican friaries and through my prayer, I knew that I heard God's call to apply to the St. Joseph's province. I admire the Friars for their loyalty to community life and for their zeal to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope to someday become a university professor and in this way to share in the work of preaching for the salvation of souls.