My work for the Archdiocese of St Louis takes place on several fronts. First, I teach patrology (that is, the Fathers of the Church), ecclesiastical history, and sacraments in both the theology graduate and the philosophy undergraduate programs at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary. Second, I teach ongoing lay formation for the Pontifical Paul VI Institute, particularly in the areas of prayer and spirituality. Third, I teach sacramental theology and liturgy to candidates for the permanent diaconate. It is an honor and a joy, as well as a great responsibility, to be involved in the formation programs of the Archdiocese. We have many promising vocations, and a great team of people dedicated to spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation.

Our youngest child, Jerome Maximilian, was baptized in the splendid Cathedral Basilica of St Louis by Archbishop Raymond Burke in May of 2007. We had to give him a big name, because he was such a big baby - 9 lbs, 4 oz at birth. It was a difficult pregnancy, and we are ever grateful to all of the folks in the Archdiocese of St Louis, and especially at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, who prayed for momma; we also have benefited greatly from the intercession of St Gianna Beretta Molla. Pictured at right are Archbishop Burke, myself, and my wife Laura in the baptistery of the cathedral with the newly illuminated Jerome Maximilian. May God bless Archbishop Burke. 

Several traumatic events have impacted our family in the two years that we have lived in St Louis. A vehicle crashed into our home on 15 February 2007. Thanks be to God, nobody was hurt. A year later, we are still living working on fixing the damage. Laura has suffered from two serious health problems that have been a trial for the children: spine troubles hospitalized her in December of 2006, and in January of  2008 she spent ten days in the hospital, and went home without a gall bladder. How often we wonder at divine words of sacred Scripture: "Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:2-4).

I serve as assistant editor of Antiphon: A Journal for Liturgical Renewal, and as a member of the board and web master of the Society for Catholic Liturgy. 

Pictured at left is St Giuseppe Maria Tomassi, the patron saint of liturgy, whose intercession I frequently invoke. Since his feast day falls on January 1st, few have heard of him. St Giuseppe Maria Tomassi, pray for us!