Well, it is finally here. My first post on my fresh new website. This site represents the prayers, thoughts, and acts that have made up the majority of my life. This is the work of grace in my life. 

So who am I? Let me introduce myself. My name is Aires (pronounced like iris) and trust me, there is a story to the name. I am currently serving as a theology teacher and campus minister in a Catholic high school in the Seattle area. I have had the privilege to travel the world as a lay missionary disciple working in both formation and social justice. 

I am married to my wonderful wife, who serves the church as a pastoral assistant for outreach. She is an amazing woman of God. We have three boys, Peter aka Nacho (7), Blaise (6), and Leo (3). 

I have been volunteering and working in ministry for over twenty years. I have professionally ministered since 2001 in all phases, ages, social and economic circumstances for the Catholic Church. 

I believe that the world is a mission field and we were placed here to plant, cultivate, and bloom, but maybe not always all three. 

Called to Rise is born out of the belief that we are born for so much more than we could ever imagine. We catch this vision in glimpses, but our mission is to live this out more fully every day. I look forward to sharing my thoughts and introducing you to the many people who make up Called to Rise in the coming months. 

I am here to travel on this journey with you. Thank you for coming along with me.

AP