I came to Dominguez Seminary in 1957 as a 15-year-old from Van Nuys. With assignments at San Gabriel Mission, the old Provincial House in Los Angeles, and Claretville, I have spent most of my life here at Dominguez.
    I have fond memories of working with students and with dairy farmer John Pinero. He trained me to be a dairyman. I was always amazed with the cows who came in for milking. They knew the order and lined up by the machines. I still lift weights today but lifting 90-pound milk containers keep me in shape during those working years.
    Now is the best time of my life. I retired in 2005. At Dominguez I have time to talk with people. And just to be clear finally from the depression that afflicted me much of my life.
     I wake up every day at 4:30 and walk the grounds as the sun rises. I have a cup of hot chocolate before morning Mass in the chapel. I’m not a napper. I like to walk about the property and wonder at the beauty I see. Sometimes I meet people on my walks. Everyone is always friendly, and we talk.
    Reading is important to me. Right now, I am reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church, mediating on each paragraph as I go. I recently enjoyed a biography of Christopher Columbus. And leaned his men tried to kill him–several times.
    Ferrante and Fr. Brian Culley, who have helped so much with my depression.
    Best advice I ever heard was from Br. Richard Paquette: “Walk around with a hammer. People will think you are doing something.”