1. What it means to you

To become one of the Apostolic Sodales is to become more of what God has called me to be: a parish priest in a priestly brotherhood. Through various trials that we experience at this time in the history of humanity and the Church, we come to a greater understanding of this most basic truth: priests need priests, too. To entrust myself into the hands of Jesus through the hands of Bishop Guglielmo Giaquinta means for me to grow in greater awareness and appreciation of the gift I have received and to make this gift more effective and expressed. Living out the Spirituality of the Cenacle in active and total love, especially to my brother priests, is the commitment.

2. Why you said yes

Unity of the entire human family first begins at home, in the family. I feel a divinely inspired desire to foster this unity among fellow priests and to do whatever I can in union with our Holy Father and the college of Bishops. It is, of course, a desire that first burns in the heart of Jesus from the Cenacle, from that Upper Room -- a desire that Bishop Giaquinta received and fostered in himself. We are here to help one another. And so I say, "yes" to the Apostolic Sodales, to this most marvelous gift and help that comes through the Pro-Sanctity Family and its founder.

3. Where you believe the Lord is calling you in this "vocation within your vocation"

In the past few years around various family dining room tables at SS. Peter & Paul Parish in Naperville, IL, where I presently serve, I have acquired a few nicknames. Here’s a sampling: there’s Father-Greg-pause) the Short One, Papa "G", Father Glucose Man (for my sweet tooth), and my all-time favorite, Father Cracker. This last and precious name came from a three-year-old parishioner I was privileged to baptize. What I find quite humbling is the common thread woven through these names: Father. God sent me here to be a family man of His: to stand, as St. Joseph had so long ago, in God’s place, as best as I can. So

I echo St. Paul’s words, "That is why I kneel before the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name; and I pray that he will bestow on you gifts in keeping with the riches of his glory. May he strengthen you inwardly through the working of his Spirit. May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith, and may charity be the root and foundation of your life" (Eph 3:14-17). A phrase I heard some time ago comes to mind: dig deeper where you've been planted. Being part of this Secular Institute for Diocesan Priests means being planted very close to a river -- so that the roots of a tree can find refreshment even in dry times and never lack in fruit for nourishing and healing others. In this culture that moves from distraction to distraction, it is a grace of God to be rooted in Christ and the community He has founded amidst the swirl and whirlpool around us. With the help of my brother Sodales and brother priests, I hope to be able to give my all always for my brothers and sisters.