Bio: I was born and raised in RI and have attended Catholic schools from kindergarten through college.  I briefly was a seminarian for the diocese of Providence.  When I met my wife, I left the seminary but continued with a degree in Theology and Philosophy from Providence College.  My wife and I were married 2 months after my graduation.  We settled in NJ and have 5 kids ages 4 to 16.  

Hometown:Riverside, RI  (originally), Wharton, NJ   (currently)

I like working at the Academy because… 

It is a privilege and a blessing to not only work where your kids go to school, but to work in a job that you would probably be willing to do for free.  As St. Paul says, “If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it!” (1 Cor 9:16)  The greatest gift I have ever received is to encounter Christ and His saving love.  It is a joy to be able to speak to students every day about the love of God and what He has done in history and what He is doing in their lives.

Teaching Philosophy: 

“... at the heart of catechesis we find, in essence, a Person, the Person of Jesus of Nazareth, “the only Son from the Father…full of grace and truth,” who suffered and died for us and who now, after rising, is living with us forever. It is Jesus who is “the way, and the truth, and the life,” and Christian living consists in following Christ, the sequela Christi.”  (Catechesi Tradendae, par 5)  Grades come and go, achievements and failures fade in the distance, but Christ lives and reigns forever.  If I can communicate the importance of who Jesus is, then I have taught well.  

Fun Facts about me: 

I spend an inordinate amount of time listening to podcasts and audiobooks. All kinds of topics including theology, sports, news / politics, true crime, and almost anything else.

I enjoy long walks on the beach.  Jk, I hate going to the beach.  Even though I grew up in the Ocean State, I hate going out on the ocean and going to the beach.

I do have a love / hate relationship with running.  In 2023 I was able to ‘run’ the NYC marathon.  I tend to have seasons where I love to get out and put in miles on the road and on trails, and other seasons when I can’t be bothered to walk up a flight of stairs.  

When I’m not in the classroom you will find me… 

Probably somewhere around the parish property.  We have a very active parish and my role as the Director of Faith Formation has me here often.  

Ask me about… 

Jesus, or the Church, or anything related to spiritual life.  Or my fantasy football team…  

My Personal Motto… 

“Jesus, loves me anyway!”  I tell students to write this as an answer to a quiz question when they do not know the answer.  It is still marked wrong, but at least they remember that Jesus loves them anyway.