A lot of people have a hard concept of grasping the Eucharist, that it is the true Body and Blood of Jesus. What were some of the things that helped you come to that realization that ‘this is real for me?’

Part of it is the gift of faith. I would say, you know, having been raised in a strong Catholic home, I would say it was never even debated in my own mind or heart, because, well, I knew. This is what the church had done since the very time of Christ. When you're raised Catholic and a strong Catholic home, you simply realize this is the Church that Jesus gave us. Any historian can tell you that, and this is the way we've done it. And so, when Jesus says at the Last Supper, this is my body, this is my blood, when he says in John chapter six, my flesh is real food, my blood is real drink, you really accept that on faith and the fact that Jesus said it, we believe it.

How did the Eucharist play a part in your call to the priesthood?

I think for all of us as Catholic Christians, the Eucharist is our weekly touchstone. I am so incredibly grateful to my parents that we were raised in such a way that even when I went off to college and didn't necessarily want to go to Sunday Mass, it was not an option– I just knew that's what I had to do. And so, the Eucharist and being with our Lord in His word and in the sacrament every weekend, even when I wasn't close to him, he was still close to me. When I had this adult awakening of the faith, I started going to daily mass on the way to work, and it became more and more a part of my life, and the depths and the meaning of it all became real. It definitely had a profound influence on me.  

Did you go to the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis last year?

I did, and in fact, I had the privilege of being the celebrant of Eucharistic Adoration on the last night. To process into the Lucas Oil Stadium with 60,000 Catholics on their knees in the dark, me holding a very heavy monstrance and Christ present in the Eucharist with the spotlight on Jesus was incredibly powerful, and the faith was palpable. And the silence in a stadium of 60,000 people, all adoring the Lord, except for the occasional child or baby crying out was so beautiful, because that's us before the Lord as His children crying out. So, it was really a tremendous experience of faith. Obviously, it wasn't about me. It was about who I was carrying. That's why I like to say I'm like the donkey that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on, you know? And what a privilege!

Our diocese is bringing the exciting elements of the Eucharistic Congress here this fall. You are going to be one of the speakers at the 2025 Eucharistic Encounter on September 20 at Amalie Arena. What do you think might be the takeaway for those that are attending this event?

Well, I think there's always strength in numbers. It's like when a young person goes to World Youth Day and they're praying with a million other young people from around the world you can't but walk away saying two things. One, I am not alone. And two, I sure am glad there's a whole lot of other people behind me in this. The whole idea of ‘we're in it together.’

It’s about Jesus Christ and him being proclaimed in our community and the transformation of faith on society. I think that’s something certainly here in my own diocese in Southeast Texas, we really work with all of the other churches and denominations and realize that we’re better together and that we’re stronger when we’re united.

Interested in attending the 2025 Eucharistic Encounter: Reason for Our Hope? Space is limited and reservations are mandatory for event entry. Reserve your seat at www.dosp.org/encounter!