About Me  

I was born in Chicago on Father's Day, and baptized Catholic a week later,

the same year that Ted Kluzuski and White Sox played in the World Series. 

I have lived in the city and been a White Sox fan ever since.

I was raised in a bungalow on the southwest side of

Chicago, and after getting married I moved further

south and a little further west.  
  

I attended St. Gall Grammar School and Quigley South Seminary High School, but by no stretch of the imagination would I have considered myself as being, or aspiring to be holy, but I always thought of myself as being someone that could help people grow in some way, particularly by being present and listening. 

I have always been fascinated by people and their stories; where they come from, and how they got to where they are. I enjoy sharing

down to earth conversations about real life, being especially drawn to what

makes people tick from the inside.

After high school, I began working for the City of Chicago, Bureau of Streets, and took night classes, eventually finishing a degree in Architectural Drafting.

Along the way, I was laid off, recalled, and re-assigned to the Bureau of Electricity. Over the years I have advanced from a surveyman-draftsman to a section supervisor. I currently maintain the records for the street lighting and traffic signals within the city limits. Into my 28th year, I am hoping for an early retirement within the next couple years.  

I recently celebrated my 10th year as an Augustinian Secular, or Third Order Augustinian. Through the dedicated friendship of Fr. Robert F Dueweke, OSA,

and many other Augustinians; lay, vowed, and ordained, I have spent a great

deal of time reflecting on Augustine's writings, but more so, on the person and

his journey. St. Augustine and I share a lot of commonalities; mainly because

we're both "Prodigal Sons" that have journeyed the back roads and returned. 

I also believe that St. Augustine has a lot to say to men today, and is completely overlooked. Part of my vision is to bring that awareness into light.

The blessing of having someone walking with me on the journey proved to

be an asset that led me to persue a calling in Spiritual Direction. I have a Certification in Spirituality Studies from St Thomas University in Miami, FL,

and an Advanced Certification in Spirituality Studies and Spiritual Direction

from The Institute for Spiritual Leadership in Chicago, IL.

Over the past 15 years, I have been associated with men's groups and progams within the Archdiocese of Chicago and Joliet. From my own experience and through speaking with other men, I am very aware of the struggles that men

silently contend with, and their need for healing and compassionate listening;

especially at transitional times in their lives. 

For the past 5 years, I have been reaching out to meet those needs by combining spiritual direction, facilitating retreats with an emphasis on the men's journey, and

incorporating Augustine's life and thought as a ministry. These elements combined create an interactive, challenging, and many times healing experience for those that attend my retreats, as we confront the things that keep us from a closer relationship with ourselves, others, and God.   

As it has turned out, I am fulfilling the dream that I had almost 30 years earlier by having the opportunty to help people that are struggling; by being present and listening. It just took a little longer to become clear, and it looks a little different than I envisioned. Nonetheless, it has all been a blessing.  

"Trust the past to the mercy of God,

the present to his love,

and the future to his providence" 

St. Augustine