Meet Fr. Joe
What a joy it is to be here at Resurrection University Parish! Or more correctly, to be back here at RUP. As an MSU student 20+ years ago I did come here, especially in my first year when I was actually confirmed here.
But now I’m getting ahead of myself! It makes more sense to start from the beginning of my life to give you a better sense of who this Fr. Joe guy is. I am a Montana native and cradle Catholic, born and raised primarily by my mother’s Irish family in Anaconda. From my earliest memories I knew that there was a God and that He loved me, not only in the church but through my family as well. I also grew up in the mountains and have always been quite fond of mountain terrain and the plethora of outdoor activities that such places boast (hiking, fishing, skiing, etc.). And strangely enough, I’ve always been fond of books, of learning, and yes, even of school!
So when my high school days began to wane, Bozeman seemed like a great place to continue doing many of the things I loved. Off I went to MSU to study chemical engineering. While at MSU there was much study and some partying too, but oddly not much outdoor activity. I did somehow stay connected with the Church though (barely). Since I had rebelled and not finished Confirmation classes in high school, I resolved to finish up in Bozeman and did so at Resurrection. From that point I was a weekend Mass goer and that was the extent of my involvement.
After graduating in 2000, I moved to Nebraska and began my career as a chemical engineer, working in the corn milling industry for Cargill, Inc. From this point, things began to change as God guided me on a long and winding road to the priesthood. Living in the Midwest was okay, but not my favorite. It didn’t take me too long to realize that living out the Faith was my best bet for happiness. So I started looking for friends who took Catholicism seriously and joined the young adults group and Knights of Columbus chapter in my parish. Eventually I decided to pursue an MBA and ended up at the University of Notre Dame where my faith life took another big step in the right direction. It was here that I realized that there is nothing wrong with living out the Faith in all aspects of my life (instead of keeping it mostly private). From Notre Dame, I embarked upon a career in corporate finance in 2006 that led me to Amazon.com. I ended up on an assignment in Reno, NV and it was there that my faith life really took off and the call to the priesthood came to me (out of nowhere!). By this time I was heavily involved in the parish (lector, extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, Finance Council, going to adoration and Bible study) and was going to Confession regularly. So I was growing closer to the Lord and enjoying it. But I never expected to be called to the priesthood! Yet that is where He was calling me. So instead of heading back to Amazon headquarters in Seattle I went to Mt. Angel Seminary in Oregon to study for the Diocese of Helena, and never looked back.
Six years later I was ordained a priest of Jesus Christ at the Cathedral of St. Helena and began priestly ministry at St. Matthew’s Parish in Kalispell a week later. My time there was exceedingly blessed with many friendships, great experiences and a renewed love for the outdoors (which had begun in earnest in my Amazon days). But after 1 year I was called to move across the mountains to Browning. The idea was that I would spend three years under the mentorship of Fr. Ed Kohler, learning the ropes of ministry across the Blackfeet Reservation and then take over as pastor when he retired. Again my time in this assignment was exceedingly blessed, beyond my imagination. But I was shocked when Bishop Vetter called one day and asked me to come to Resurrection University Parish.
I did say yes (obviously) and I’ve been transitioning into this new role now since July 2021. It has been a huge adjustment from life on the Reservation to life in Bozeman, but it has been a wonderful ride thus far. Not only can I continue to explore the great outdoors in earnest, but I am much closer to my family and I am also better able to work out my passion for ministering to young people and cultivating vocations, especially in such immediate proximity to MSU. I very much look forward to continue growing in relationship with all of the people here and expanding the campus ministry program beyond the already solid foundation that we enjoy. I have much to learn and hopefully a few things to offer. Thanks be to God for all that RUP has to offer and may His will be done as we journey forth and seek to set the MSU campus and the Bozeman community ablaze with His holy love!
Throughout all of these experiences leading me to this point, an immense transformation has been underway and it has been astonishing to see how much God loves me and what He is doing in my life. I am a much different person than I was 10-15 years ago and much more full of peace and joy. Now I see how important it is to believe what the Church teaches--all of it! I’ve experienced life as a “cafeteria Catholic,” picking and choosing which teachings I like, and now as one striving to live out all of the Church teachings (by no means perfect!). Life is excellent within the heart of the Church and it just keeps getting better and better. So I’m fully committed to helping people in the parish and beyond to experience this freedom, peace and joy as well!
But now I’m getting ahead of myself! It makes more sense to start from the beginning of my life to give you a better sense of who this Fr. Joe guy is. I am a Montana native and cradle Catholic, born and raised primarily by my mother’s Irish family in Anaconda. From my earliest memories I knew that there was a God and that He loved me, not only in the church but through my family as well. I also grew up in the mountains and have always been quite fond of mountain terrain and the plethora of outdoor activities that such places boast (hiking, fishing, skiing, etc.). And strangely enough, I’ve always been fond of books, of learning, and yes, even of school!
So when my high school days began to wane, Bozeman seemed like a great place to continue doing many of the things I loved. Off I went to MSU to study chemical engineering. While at MSU there was much study and some partying too, but oddly not much outdoor activity. I did somehow stay connected with the Church though (barely). Since I had rebelled and not finished Confirmation classes in high school, I resolved to finish up in Bozeman and did so at Resurrection. From that point I was a weekend Mass goer and that was the extent of my involvement.
After graduating in 2000, I moved to Nebraska and began my career as a chemical engineer, working in the corn milling industry for Cargill, Inc. From this point, things began to change as God guided me on a long and winding road to the priesthood. Living in the Midwest was okay, but not my favorite. It didn’t take me too long to realize that living out the Faith was my best bet for happiness. So I started looking for friends who took Catholicism seriously and joined the young adults group and Knights of Columbus chapter in my parish. Eventually I decided to pursue an MBA and ended up at the University of Notre Dame where my faith life took another big step in the right direction. It was here that I realized that there is nothing wrong with living out the Faith in all aspects of my life (instead of keeping it mostly private). From Notre Dame, I embarked upon a career in corporate finance in 2006 that led me to Amazon.com. I ended up on an assignment in Reno, NV and it was there that my faith life really took off and the call to the priesthood came to me (out of nowhere!). By this time I was heavily involved in the parish (lector, extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, Finance Council, going to adoration and Bible study) and was going to Confession regularly. So I was growing closer to the Lord and enjoying it. But I never expected to be called to the priesthood! Yet that is where He was calling me. So instead of heading back to Amazon headquarters in Seattle I went to Mt. Angel Seminary in Oregon to study for the Diocese of Helena, and never looked back.
Six years later I was ordained a priest of Jesus Christ at the Cathedral of St. Helena and began priestly ministry at St. Matthew’s Parish in Kalispell a week later. My time there was exceedingly blessed with many friendships, great experiences and a renewed love for the outdoors (which had begun in earnest in my Amazon days). But after 1 year I was called to move across the mountains to Browning. The idea was that I would spend three years under the mentorship of Fr. Ed Kohler, learning the ropes of ministry across the Blackfeet Reservation and then take over as pastor when he retired. Again my time in this assignment was exceedingly blessed, beyond my imagination. But I was shocked when Bishop Vetter called one day and asked me to come to Resurrection University Parish.
I did say yes (obviously) and I’ve been transitioning into this new role now since July 2021. It has been a huge adjustment from life on the Reservation to life in Bozeman, but it has been a wonderful ride thus far. Not only can I continue to explore the great outdoors in earnest, but I am much closer to my family and I am also better able to work out my passion for ministering to young people and cultivating vocations, especially in such immediate proximity to MSU. I very much look forward to continue growing in relationship with all of the people here and expanding the campus ministry program beyond the already solid foundation that we enjoy. I have much to learn and hopefully a few things to offer. Thanks be to God for all that RUP has to offer and may His will be done as we journey forth and seek to set the MSU campus and the Bozeman community ablaze with His holy love!
Throughout all of these experiences leading me to this point, an immense transformation has been underway and it has been astonishing to see how much God loves me and what He is doing in my life. I am a much different person than I was 10-15 years ago and much more full of peace and joy. Now I see how important it is to believe what the Church teaches--all of it! I’ve experienced life as a “cafeteria Catholic,” picking and choosing which teachings I like, and now as one striving to live out all of the Church teachings (by no means perfect!). Life is excellent within the heart of the Church and it just keeps getting better and better. So I’m fully committed to helping people in the parish and beyond to experience this freedom, peace and joy as well!