Fr. Alan graduated from St. Meinrad Seminary & School of Theology, where he earned an MA in Catholic Philosophical Thought and an MDiv. He was elected to the Alumni Association Board of Directors just after his ordination, and currently serves as the President of that Board. While at St. Meinrad, Fr. Alan earned Graduate Certificates in the Supervision of Pastoral Care and Supervision of Homiletics, and is currently completing a Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Direction. Also during his time at St. Meinrad, Fr. Alan completed several pastoral internships at a family counseling center in Louisville, Kentucky, accumulating enough hours of supervised clinical pastoral counseling to earn the American Association of Pastoral Counselors' 'Pastoral Care Specialist' designation.
Organizing and leading retreats is a special interest of his which began during his time in seminary. Along with Fr. Christ Mileski (one of Vatican You's co-hosts), Fr. Alan hosted Confirmation Retreats for young people from more than 10 dioceses over the course of four years. That interest has continued. He has designed and led retreats to bring young people (high school and middle school) in touch with how the Sacred Liturgy is a 'training ground' for living the Christian life, and has led presbyterates and deacon candidates in retreats on topics ranging from reinvigorating the priesthood, the spirituality of holy orders, and preaching the joy of the Gospel.
What excites you about the Vatican You Radio Hour?
Several years ago when spending a summer ministering at the Newman Center in Lexington, I met with a group of grad students who were interested in understanding what Pope Benedict was saying in Porta Fidei (his apostolic letter announcing the Year of Faith.) I noticed that the beauty of the teachings of the Church really blossom in a group of people reading the documents together without being rushed, taking the time to explore things like footnotes, asking questions like 'what does this mean', and sharing diverse perspectives. I also noticed that there were many of the faithful who had no direct contact with the teachings of the Second Vatican Council Pope Benedict exhorted the faithful to engage. Though I wasn't sure where it was headed, the idea for "Vatican You" was born in those weekly gatherings that summer. I'm excited for the chance to journey with the faithful through the teachings of the Council and the broader Magisterium of the Church so that we can see together that (as Pope St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict said) 'have not lost any of their brilliance' even after the 50 years since the Council.
What do you hope Vatican You listeners take away from the show?
Two things. First, I hope listeners to the show connect with the amazing gift of the Holy Spirit the Church was given in the teachings of the Second Vatican Council specifically, and other teaching efforts of the Church (encyclicals, moto proprios, etc.) in general. Vatican II is rich - 'brilliant' as recent popes have reminded us - and the teachings of the Council and the Popes really can (and will!) enliven our faith. Second, I hope folks connect with concrete ways that the Council and Magisterium really do have practical implications in how we live 'everyday life' as Catholic Christians.
What are your current interests, hobbies, or pass times?
Movies. I heart movies. New ones and old ones. Funny ones and sad ones. I love them all... I guess I'm really sort of 'addicted' to stories now that I think about it. Great TV shows (Downtown Abbey), great books (the Kay Scarpetta series by Patricia Cornwell, the Bond books, most John Grisham books, for example.) I also really enjoy coloring - that's right - coloring! I have several coloring books and enjoy the quiet moment in a day when I can take an hour and color. (Crazy, right?) I've enjoy the challenge of nurturing Bonsai trees and trying to keep plants alive and thriving - and I'm a coffee shop enthusiast. (If no one knows where I am, chances are you can go looking for me in a coffee shop and find me there.)
Is there anything else you'd like to share with our listeners?
There's nothing more amazing than life lived as a Great Adventure. That old Steven Curtis Chapman song captures the joy and challenge of this great gift God has given us called life. There are mountaintops and valleys - there are straight level stretches and treacherous, crooked passages too. "God draws straight with crooked lines" after all. But when we live all of that as an amazing adventure, it becomes simply amazing. "Saddle up your horses...we've got a trail to blaze...through the wild blue yonder of God's amazing grace..."
