Since arriving in Madison in the summer of 2016, Fr. Michael spent three summers at his home parish of St. Bernard’s in Madison and his diaconate summer at St. John Vianney in Janesville. He also helped out at St. Joseph’s in Fort Atkinson during the school year.
“While ordination is, in some ways, the culmination of six years of work, it is, in other ways, just the beginning of something even greater. Eight years ago, I thought I had accomplished my greatest personal and professional achievement when I graduated with my PhD in history. I never would have thought that I would now be in Madison, preparing to be a priest of Jesus Christ. While this has been unexpected, it has been the greatest gift that I could have imagined from God. I am so very thankful for all the many good people who have helped me to become a priest, but most especially to my parents, who have always been my first educators and the source of love and support. I pray that God will make me the holiest priest I can be for the people of the Diocese of Madison. Probably the most influential Bible passage for me has been Luke 22:42. I hope to always do the Will of God, His Perfect Will, as best I can.”
Madison Catholic Herald, 6/11/2020 (vol. 150/no. 22)