A bit about David: I was born and raised in Northern Indiana. I joined the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God; graduated from St. Louis University and worked as a nurse with terminally ill patients. I studied theology at the Dominican School of Theology and Philosophy in Berkeley, California and was ordained in 1980. After serving as a hospital chaplain and associate pastor, I continued graduate studies in nursing and doctoral studies in Clinical Psychology and began private practice in 2000. I work with individuals, couples and families. My wife, Judith, and I have been married 18 years and have three children and six grandchildren.
As a priest, I enjoy being with others, celebrating the Eucharistand sharing the Sacred Word. My greatest joy as a priest is to lead others in prayer especially as we offer our selves with Christ in the Eucharist. I enjoy coaching and teaching others. I feel it a great privilege to help others hold their emotional and physical suffering in times of crises and to share our faith together.
VISION: The integration of the mind, body and spirit has been the focus of my career as a priest and psychotherapist/advanced nurse practitioner. I believe every person is a complex and dynamic multidimensional system. At the center of every person is the soul, that core part of the individual that yearns for the fullness of meaning and purpose in life. At this level the person experiences the ultimate mystery of God, the “Kin-dom”. Here God’s intimate love and mercy are experienced in the most personal way with the realization of God’s divine plan for all of creation. This sacred space is the womb of hospitality where God’s presence is realized and intimate relationships are born.
HOSPITALITY:The grace of hospitality begins with emptying oneself (kenosis). In this self surrender to God, holy space is created for the other. Hospitality is the profound awareness of God’s love and mercy – the reality of this divine blessing for all of creation. It is the deep awareness of being interconnected and fully united with God. Hospitality wants the best for the other person. In hospitality, the person moves towards others with love and compassion.
Favorite Scripture Passage
“The Prodigal Child”, Luke 15:11-32
Emmaus Ecumenical Catholic Community 