I grew up in Saint Andrew's Parish on the near Northeast side of Indianapolis and attended Bishop Chatard High School. I spent two years at Saint Meinrad College Seminary and transferred to Marian College in Indianapolis my Junior year. I received my Bachelors's degree in Philosophy in 1970. I then attended Catholic Seninary of Indianapolis and received my Master of Arts in Religion (1972) and Master of Divinity (1973) degrees. While attending Catholic Seminary I also taught religion at Bishop Chatard High School (Spring semester 1971) and Scecina Catholic High School (school year 1973-74).
My first assignment in the Belleville Diocese was during the Summer of 1973, being assigned as a Deacon to Saint Joseph's Parish in Olney, Illinois. Olney is noted for it's white squirrels.
My first assignment following ordination was to St. Mary's Parish in Carlyle, Illinois, arriving on July 3, 1974. My ministry as an associate pastor included working with the C.Y.O. and the Knights of Columbus. While an associate, I began teaching at Mater Dei Catholic High School in Breese, first part-time (from 1975-1977) and then full-time (1977-1982). I also was appointed to the Diocesan Vocation Team in 1976 and remained with that ministry until 1978. During my first eight years of priesthood in Carlyle, my fondest memories involve the C.Y.O. (both parish level and Deanery) and the youth basketball program that was started and the teaching at Mater Dei which included being a class advisor for the Class of 1981 and freshman year for the Class of 1985.
In 1982, I was assigned as Pastor to St. Patrick's Parish in Tipton and Immaculate Conception Parish in Madonnaville while being a full-time teacher at Gibault Catholic High School in Waterloo, while continuing my work with the C.Y.O. both on the parish level and Deanery level as spiritual moderator. I missed teaching Psychology which I taught at Mater Dei and was teaching only in the Religion Department.
