Father Mike was born and raised in Columbus in a family of hard-working, loving, and faithful parents; he has a sister and brother (both married) and four nephews and neices. He was Baptized at Corpus Christi Parish, received his First Communion and Confirmation at Christ the King Parish and graduated from Christ the King School, graduated from Saint Charles Preparatory School, and is a graduate of John Carroll University. Upon graduation from JCU, Father Mike enjoyed a 16-year professional career in Public Affairs and Government Affairs with a large Cleveland electric utility. According to Father Mike, “God was calling me to the priesthood during this time, but I was fighting back. God was persistent, so I discerned the ‘call’ with a trusted priest from my days at Saint Charles – Monsignor Tom Gallen. Based on our many discussions, Monsignor said the ‘call’ was genuine, and suggested that I go on a discernment weekend at the Josephinum; that weekend opened my eyes, mind and heart. God won! And I have never been happier in my life than serving as a Catholic Priest!” Father Mike entered the Josephinum in 1998 and was ordained in 2004 by Bishop James Griffin. He has served as Associate Pastor, Saint Matthew the Apostle (Gahanna); Pastor, Christ the King; Pastor, Saint Catharine of Siena; Rector, Saint Joseph Cathedral & Pastor, Holy Cross Church; Vice-Rector, Pontifical College Josephinum; Pastor, Saint Michael the Archangel; and Chaplain, Mother Angeline McCrory Manor. On the Diocesan level, Father Mike has served as Chaplain for the Joint Office for Inner-city Needs (JOIN); Chaplain, Columbus Division of Police and Division of Fire; Diocesan Vicar for Priests, and continues to serve as Diocesan Vicar for Hospital Ministry and Vicar for Senior and Infirm Priests. He also was appointed to serve the Bishop on the College of Consultors and the Priest Personnel Board. Father Mike is a cancer survivor (Stage III Colon Cancer) and enjoys hospital ministry, especially at the OSU James Cancer Center where his cancer journey began in 2013. As a “roll up your sleeves” Priest, Father Mike enjoys serving the needs of all, and likes to focus on helping the poor and needy, the aged and infirm, and those who are forgotten or marginalized by society. “I cannot stand to see people go hungry, or for people to feel alone or abandoned,” he said, which is why Father Mike was founding pastor with a group of caring parishioners of the Bishop Griffin Resource Center. Father Mike enjoys spending time with family and friends, “quiet time” on his day off, and is a long-time fan of Cleveland sports teams – he joins in the mantra of Cleveland Browns fans: “Wait ‘til next season.” Father Mike has a Facebook page, but does not use Facebook Messenger.