Faith of Our Fathers

Since this is the week of Father’s day I thought that I would take the time to thank all of the men that have played the role of “father” for me during my journey into the arms of Christ.

With my parents on senior night in high school.

Clifford Cox

First off I want to start with my actual biological father, Cliff.

At an extremely early age my parents divorced. I don’t have anything that even remotely resembles a memory of my parents together as a couple. What I do have are the memories of my Dad being there for me whenever I needed him. Whether it was riding bikes together or playing baseball in our backyard on the Wednesday or every other weekend that I was able spend with him, or him standing up for me in front of a high school teacher that had treated me unfairly, my Dad was and still is always there for me. 

My Dad is a police officer by trade and upon speaking about his occupation he always relinquishes the fact that he chose his profession because of a deep desire to help and protect people. That is the kind of man that my Dad is, he will stop at nothing to love, serve, and care for his fellow human beings. My Dad is a great man!

However, when it came time to tell everyone that I was going to enter the Augustinians I was most nervous about telling my Dad because he is not Catholic. I think that it was difficult for him to digest at first, but now he is totally behind me and rejoices in my sense of fulfillment.

Msgr. Michael Kuse

Fr. Mike has been the priest at my home parish of St. Mary’s and then Blessed Sacrament since I was in the second grade.

Honestly, Fr. Mike was the only priest I had ever known before I went off to college. During my formative high school years my Mom worked in our parish offices and it seemed that Fr. Mike was always around in some way. I even remember him coming to one of our family 4^th of July celebrations (I thought it was awesome that we had a priest with us while we were illegally shooting off fireworks in my native Illinois.)

Fr. Mike really was an excellent spiritual father for me. He was always patient with me when I had questions, he was gracious to everyone that he came into contact with, and was a good and holy priest. Our community at Blessed Sacrament has been so fortunate to have Fr. Mike for so many years.

Fr. Mike will always have a special place in my life because of the longevity of our relationship. It is impossible to know and trust someone for as long as I have known and trusted Fr. Mike without him having a very distinct place in my life. It seems that in times of trial and tribulation old friends are always the ones we turn to first.

Fr. Mitchell Zimmerman

Father Mitch and I in Mexico

I first met Fr. Mitch on a pilgrimage to Mexico that I went on with the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center at the University of Kansas during my sophomore year. Upon first meeting Fr. Mitch I was taken aback, I honestly had never met a young and relatable priest (or as my good friend Trevor Downey calls Fr. Mitch “Studly”.)

That trip to Mexico was the beginning of my faith journey, I found myself drawn to Fr. Mitch and he so graciously and patiently took my questions. I went home from that trip with a desire to pray, which I did. Without meeting Fr. Mitch on that fateful trip, I know that I would not be where I am today. I owe him a lot.

To this day I look up to Fr. Mitch almost as that really cool older brother. I can only hope that someday as I priest I can guide young men towards Christ in the way that Fr. Mitch has guided me.

Father Doctor Steve Beseau

I have only really known Fr. Steve for a little more than a year and a half, but he is one of my favorite people of all time. I met Fr. Steve for the first time on a Koinania retreat my senior year and have admired him ever since.

Fr. Steve and I at graduation.

I recall during the second semester of my senior year that within a weeks time I had gone on two very long bus trips with Fr. Steve, one to Denver for the FOCUS regional conference and one to Washington D.C. for the March for life. It was through talking to Fr. Steve on those trips that I first felt that the priesthood might be something that God was calling me to pursue.

I thank God that he put Fr. Steve into my life when he did. I spent more than a couple hours in his office at the Saint Lawrence Center picking his brain and he was so amazing. Fr. Steve always seemed to understand exactly where I was coming and I always been able relate to him in a way that has never been duplicated by anyone else. I thank God for Fr. Steve’s presence in my life and I can only hope that I maintain contact with him as we both travel our separate ways.

P.S. Please pray for Fr. Steve as he is heals from a major medical condition.

Fr. Rick Nagel

Brian, Fr. Rick, and I at a football game.

Fr. Rick was the IUPUI chaplain and my boss during my year as a FOCUS missionary.  I know that I really got under Fr. Rick’s skin a lot (I never could figure out those Germans.)  But at the same time he taught me so much and made me a better man.

Fr. Rick showed me how to live a humble and Christ centered life. He also taught me through fraternal correction (and a lot of it.) And Fr. Rick might be one of the most charitable men that I have ever come into contact with.  I learned so much from him and we had some really fun times too, all of which I am so thankful for.

Fr. Tom McCarthy

Father Tom with me and some IUPUI students.

Fr. Tom is the vocations director for the Augustinians and is a personal favorite of mine. To quote my dear friend Brian Lee, “you will never find anyone as chill as Fr. Tom.”

Without Father Tom’s excellent advice, explanation of the Order, and hospitality I would have never found the Augustinians. I cannot wait to grow in relationship and continue to work with with Fr. Tom as my Augustinian brother.

There are many other great “fathers” that I have had in my life such as my stepdad Jim Vogel and a bunch of awesome grandfathers, as well as many priests who have touched my life in some way.

As you read this blog I hope you realize that most likely none of these men know how big of an impact that they have had on my life. So look around you and realize, that whether or not you are a father, you are playing a massive role in someone’s life!  I challenge you to be that person that brings all those around you closer to Christ and his FATHER!