Pastor of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, Miramar, since 1986.

Chairman of the Art and Architecture Commission for Archdiocese of Miami.  Born in Indianapolis, August 14, 1947; moved to S. Florida in 1955. 

Educated at St. John Vianney College Seminary, in Miami, and St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, FL. Ordained May 12, 1973, at St. Mary's Cathedral in Miami.

What is a distinctive feature of your religion? The Roman Catholic Church is incarnational. In the Mass, we stand, we sit, we kneel. We eat, we drink, we touch, we make the sign of peace. Now, we must also have the Liturgy of the Word. But it should never be just that. We always have the sacraments.

How/why did you choose your vocation? Faith in Jesus made a difference in my life. It gave me a sense of meaning and hope. I wanted to share that with others.

What's religion for, in 25 words or less? Religion is a way we experience God in our lives, particularly in and through Jesus Christ.

Favorite part of your work? Preaching, teaching, the celebration of the sacraments.

Hardest part? Preparing homilies. It's the most time-consuming work. I work from the Scriptures, through my experience, tying it to the community where we are. And I have to do a good job in 15 minutes.
 
What do you do to relax? Family, friends, movies, racquetball, scuba diving in the Keys.
 
If the rectory was burning, what would you take out first? No question. It would be Jasmine, my miniature Doberman.

What one thing would you change about yourself? I'd slow down more. Enjoy people, places, things.

Do you have a motto or favorite Bible verse? The verse by St. Paul: "That I may know Christ, and the power of his resurrection." Philippians 3:10.

Have you ever doubted your faith? I think I'm constantly saying, like that man in the Bible: "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief." Mark 9:24.