“A must read for everyone who wants to change their life…and doesn’t have a clue how to create the passion. When it comes to the spiritual coaching and change, this is a masterpiece long overdue,” said Puerto Rican author Dr. Paul Haider of Father Mike’s recently published manuscript.
Written with the intent to impact young individuals facing the ambiguity of what awaits them in the future, Father Mike shares his own accounts of achievement in his book. Broken down into three sections, With a Passion includes testimony that questions why one should change, explains how one can change, and reports how one may further elevate the fulfillment and fervor in their life.
“The book is addressed to young men and women, especially those who are unsure of what they would like to be or do as they grow, mature, and prepare to go off on their own,” said Father Mike. “I write about my personal experiences and the goals I achieved because I am convinced that most anyone can reach a goal or a dream that they have with a lot of determination and passion”.
Born in Kansas in 1929 to a large family of 15, himself being the oldest, Father Mike certainly has many experiences to draw from. After being enticed by the priesthood and eventually entering the seminary at the age of 14, it was only five years later that he was inducted as a member of Wisconsin’s Priests of the Sacred Heart, before later being ordained at the age of 20 in 1956.
Pleased with his chosen vocation, Father Mike remained adamant about his work for both God and His children. However, after ten years went by, Father Mike followed his second calling and volunteered for the Army’s topflight Special Forces. While a part of the aforementioned, he was trained in multiple fields, ranging from being a HALO (high altitude low opening) jumper, to a scuba diver, to even a paratrooper, before later serving as a chaplain and attending both the Army War College and the Command and General Staff College. His assignments taking him all over the world, including Panama; Germany; Vietnam; Japan; and Okinawa, he received many accolades and awards.
After earning the rank of colonel in the year 1996, Father Mike retired and then proceeded to continue his first chosen profession by joining the diocese of San Diego, where he served as senior associate at Saint John the Evangelist Parish, among several other parishes and even the occasional hospital.
Now, a little over 57 years after being ordained into the priesthood, Father Mike continues to help pastors with administering the sacraments and Sunday Masses; albeit being retired. Still, he maintains his ardent philosophy, saying “Whatever the years ahead may bring, I remain committed to serving people of God ‘with a passion.'”
