I was born in 1953 and then grew up in the Los Angeles area.  My parents, Clyde and Jean Hemenway were devout and service minded Catholics who taught me through their actions what it means to believe.  I have a brother and sister and over the years 33 foster brothers and sisters.  There was never anything I wanted more growing up than to become a priest and I entered the Vincentian seminary at age 14. I remained a Vincentian seminarian for 11, ½  years.  After much discernment and almost completing my master of divinity, I realized I was called to be a family man and left seminary. Six months later, I met Patty, my dear wife and best friend. Married in 1980 we have since had four beautiful daughters, four grandchildren and another on the way.   After moving from Chicago back to Southern California I received a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology in 1989.  I finally found my true professional calling when I became a professional chaplain for Mercy Medical Center in 1995 and am now a full time certified chaplain for Mercy Hospice.  By God's call I was ordained to the deaconate in 2000.  My spirituality is still Vincentian and like St. Vincent I am continuously called to conversion by my service to the poor and the suffering.  I am drawn to serve those in most need and those traumatized in grief and sorrow and they in turn have been my inspiration. I have found Christ in the streets of Redding and in volunteering with the Red Cross after disasters.   Most of all I find Christ in the Liturgy, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the source and summit of our faith and life. Praise be to God