Written ‘Nods

Reading your books feels less like reading a lesson and more like sitting with someone who understands that faith is lived in the middle of real human struggles. The way you weave confession and God’s providence into your stories gives readers something to think about long after they finish the final page. So many people encounter priests only at Mass, but through your writing you’ve found another way to reach hearts and start conversations about grace and redemption. The Church needs priests who are willing to meet people where they are, and your work as both a priest and an author is doing exactly that.

Heather

Louise

A ‘Nod for the steady and faithful way you’ve lived out your priesthood through years of pastoral ministry and evangelization. From your work at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior to your years serving clustered parishes, your ministry has clearly been rooted in walking with people in real, everyday faith. Through Catholic Inspiration and your reflections on Scripture, you’ve made it easier for so many to pray with the Church and stay connected to the Gospel in a consistent, meaningful way. Your simple but powerful focus on study, prayer, and service has helped shape a rhythm of discipleship that feels both accessible and deeply grounded. Thank you for the way you continue to show that faithful, consistent priesthood—lived with joy and clarity—can quietly reach people far beyond a single parish

Lindsey

The creative and unexpected way you’ve used your gifts in ministry, especially through DJ-ing and music. The way you’ve stepped into spaces that don’t usually feel “churchy” and still carried a sense of joy, faith, and presence is something really powerful. It’s clear that what you’re doing isn’t just about music or attention—it’s about meeting people where they are, especially younger people who might not otherwise step foot into a church. Your ability to bridge that gap between culture and faith has helped open doors for conversations about God in places where they might not have happened otherwise. Thank you for being willing to use your creativity so boldly for evangelization, and for helping many people encounter the Church in a way that feels alive, welcoming, and real.

Staff Submission
Source: https://www.ewtnnews.com/?redirectedfrom=cna

A ‘Nod to you for the way you show up so genuinely in the work of vocations and for the heart you have for helping men discern the priesthood. Through your work with vocations in Detroit and Men of the Hearts, you’ve helped make conversations about priesthood feel approachable, honest, and full of hope. The way you talk about saying yes to God feels real—it comes across as something you’ve truly lived, not just something you teach. That kind of witness matters. Thank you for the way you encourage men to listen for God’s voice without pressure, but with trust, joy, and openness to whatever He’s asking. Your love for the priesthood and the care you have for the people you serve is so evident, and it’s clear that your ministry is helping others see the beauty of giving their life to God and His Church.

Andrew

Thank you for the way you’ve poured yourself into the work of vocations and for the steady, faithful witness you’ve given to the priesthood. Through your years of serving as Director of Vocations, teaching, preaching, and walking closely with young men discerning God’s call, you’ve helped make the possibility of saying “yes” to the priesthood feel both courageous and attainable. The way you speak about vocation—with clarity and real trust in God’s will—has encouraged so many people to listen more closely for His voice. Your commitment to strengthening parish life, supporting Catholic education, and using every avenue available to share the faith reflects the heart of a priest who takes his spiritual fatherhood seriously. Thank you for the joy, steadiness, and leadership you bring to the Church, and for the countless lives you’ve influenced simply by helping others hear and respond to God’s call.

Staff Submission
Source: https://frwaltz.com

I wanted to acknowledge you Father for the steady way you’ve shown up in parish life, doing the kind of priestly work that doesn’t always get attention but carries people through real moments of their lives. In your preaching, in the sacraments, and in the simple rhythm of being present to a community, there’s a sense of grounded care that helps make faith feel close and lived rather than distant or abstract. Thank you for the way you’ve taken on the quiet responsibility of parish ministry—celebrating Mass, hearing confessions, walking with families in both joy and struggle—and for doing it with a spirit that feels centered and sincere. Priests like you remind people that the Church is still held together in the everyday consistency of men who keep showing up, and that kind of faithfulness matters more than it often gets named.

Lisa