School: Mundelein Seminary
1000 East Maple Avenue
Mundelein, IL 60060
My Blog: https://themobilemission.org/author/evan/#blog
Background
I grew up in Woodstock GA. I come from a small family. My parents are originally from Michigan but came to GA before I was born. I seem to be one of the few local native seminarians!
What are your hobbies and interests?
I love playing music – mostly percussion and a little bit of guitar. I am what some may call a tech guru and enjoy running A/V for different events. Baseball is one of my favorite games to play and you better watch out if there is a dodgeball game on the loose.
What is one of your favorite scriptures?
1 Kings 18: 21-24. The authority with which Elijah spoke and the fact that he spoke to his peers in that same authority is something to be emulated. Elijah wrestles with the same questions we face in our time and yet does not back down – and on a side note…this passage sequence is hilarious.
Who is your favorite saint and why?
This is a difficult question. There are many saints that come to mind for different reasons throughout my life. As I approach Orders I would say one that I am developing a deeper devotion to is Saint Padre Pio. Here was a man who understood who he was, who God is, and lived that knowledge out through some epic obedience. This man loved the Sacraments but had a particular love of Confession.
In a nutshell, what is your vocation story? How did you feel called to the priesthood?
Let’s have some coffee and I’d love to tell you. Simply stated, the Lord called, I fought, He won.
What is seminary life like for you?
Seminary is a place of encounter with the Lord in many different facets of your life. Summed up, the seminary is a place for men, to be formed by and with other men, to be men after the heart of Jesus.
What do you look forward to about being a priest?
Hands down the thing I look forward to the most is to be able to be the minister of the Sacrament of Confession. This Sacrament changed my life and I have seen how it has changed others. It is a place of supreme vulnerability and encounter with the mercy of Jesus and it has a very special place in my heart.
What advice do you have for other guys thinking about the priesthood?
Nolite Timere, Duc in Altum. “Do not be afraid, cast out into the Deep”. These words are blazoned across our Chapel at the seminary and serve as a constant reminder as well as a very foundational truth for me. The Lord is never outdone and to spend time with Him is never a waste. It is not about discerning the fullness of the call to the priesthood all at once. The call and discernment should be gradual. Allow yourself to fall in love and remain open to what the Lord desires for you.