St. Mary
Spring Lake, MI
Parents:
Thomas and Mary Epplett
Siblings:
Rebecca Chicklon, Roberta Edwards, Joel, Jason, Kenneth, Timothy
Education:
Mundelein Seminary
Aquinas College
Grand Haven High School
Hobbies:
Running, playing board games, watching movies, watching the Detroit Lions
Who inspired you to be a priest?
Fr. Tony Vainavicz, in his leadership, pastoral care, and genuineness, and Fr. John Riccardo, in his mentorship, vision, and drive, both inspired to pursue a calling to the priesthood. Fr. Tony was my first pastor and Fr. John was my most recent, but I was inspired by many priests in between.
Why do you want to be a priest?
God has a plan for my life and, over time, he has shown me the vocation of priesthood. I want to follow God’s will and let that work out through priestly ministry in my life.
What do you love the most about seminary?
The opportunity to pray, reflect, and prepare. I see the seminary as sort of sabbatical. I was pulled away from 11 years of parish ministry to enter seminary and God is using this time to give me rest while preparing me in a new way to go back into parish life.
What are you most grateful for?
God’s providence and never-ending, unfailing faithfulness.