June 11

2025

Woodstock

St. Mary Catholic Church

The University of Wisconsin in Madison (Molecular Biology and English)

Anesthesia Technologist

English and Spanish.

In no specific order, I enjoy: Listening to music (all kinds but I have a special place in my heart for The Beatles), singing karaoke (my go-to karaoke song is "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" from The Lion King soundtrack), reading and writing poetry and short fiction, praying, exploring the outdoors, learning to pray in other languages, watching movies (LOTR, Star Wars, superhero, and romantic-comedies are my favorite kinds), playing guitar, playing soccer and tennis, reading up on technological, scientific, and medical innovations, and reading about the lives of the saints.

When I was born my dad wanted to name me John. My mom, being a pious woman, was on board, thinking my dad took the name after St. John the Baptist or St. John the Beloved Disciple. My dad confessed to my mom that he chose 'John' after John Lennon from The Beatles. She didn't like it, so I was named 'Ian' (God is gracious), which is the Scottish form of 'John', after all the glorious saints in heaven named John.

San Francesco d'Assisi

The devotions that I know, I love; the ones that I do not, I yearn to know.

I look forward to the days when it will hurt most to be His holy priest, for then I may share in His priestly passion for Our Beloved, the Church.

The stillness of the lake, o how it meditates our Lady’s joy,
the singing of the trees and their stirrings with the Wind
both have seen seminarians come, and both have seen priests go
but for decades these forests and waters have been nature’s martyrs,
witnesses of holy transfigurations, lovers of priestly configurations
and so they sing their blessings and thanksgivings
and as the clouds descend on their leafy and clear blue tongues
they cry, “It is good that we are here!” and there they will remain
for every hour, every half, and every quarter
a voice bells out and rings,
“These are my beloved priests, with whom I am well pleased.”

Pax et Bonum. Please pray that I may first understand God’s will for me. Then, that I may be humble enough to follow it. And finally, that I may be strong enough to live it, every day, until the end of my days.