Hometown: Sikeston, MO

Role at the Diocese of Reno: Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry

Contact Info: E. davidw@catholicreno.org W. 775-372-6456

Education:

• A. Theology, The Augustine Institute
• A. Theology and Catechetics, Franciscan University of Steubenville

Ministry Background:

I was baptized as an infant, but my family did not attend Mass regularly. I can count on one hand the number of times before the age of 11. My life changed on July 8, 2003. Not only was this the first Chicago Cubs baseball game I went to (GO CUBS!), but thanks to the prompting of my aunt to go to daily Mass before the game at St. Francis Xavier Church in Lagrange, IL, God came into my life in a radical way. From the moment forward I knew God was real and Jesus was truly present in the Eucharist. My life is an example that prayers do work. After graduating high school, I knew I wanted to study the faith and help lead people to Jesus, I attended Franciscan University of Steubenville. I am eternally grateful for the formation that I received their and I highly recommend all high schoolers to consider attending college there. After graduation, I spent two years working in campus ministry at a few different universities in St. Louis, while also falling in love with the most amazing woman, Michelle. She was born and raised in Reno, Nevada and wanted to move back so after we got engaged, I decided to move west. I spent five beautiful years as the youth/young adult coordinator with wonderful people at St. Francis of Assisi in Incline Village Nevada and St. Albert the Great in Reno Nevada.  I am beyond excited to help lead souls to Christ in this diocesan role! Please say a prayer for me and the wonderful work we are trying to accomplish in Northern Nevada. I am here for you so feel free to reach out to me or my assistant.

Side note… Michelle and I were married in May 2018 and have two children praying for us in heaven (Lawrence and Lucy) and two living children, Leo, and Sophia.

Passions and Interests:  I  know this is a dad thing to say but I love spending time with my family so we spend lots of time at parks and trying to keep my kids from getting hurt on the monkey bars. You can also find me drinking sweet tea and nerding out on some great theological books or books about the current state of our society.  If you want to convince my wife that we need more bookshelves, I will greatly appreciate that.  

Favorite Quotes/Bible Verses:

“To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek him the greatest adventure; to find him, the greatest human achievement”- St. Augustine of Hippo

Jesus and the Woman of Samaria ( John 4) and The Parable of Prodigal Son (Luke 15)  have rocked my spiritual life.

“A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure” –  Sirach 6:14

“I am fast. To give you a reference point. I’m somewhere between a snake and a mongoose. And a panther.” – Dwight Schrute (The Office)