For those who could not attend your talk, what is its overall message?

If I was to sum things up, it would be with a quote about Jesus. It says, "He's a terror, that one. He turns water into wine. He turns wine into blood. I wonder what he turns blood into?" Ultimately, Jesus offers us His blood because He wants to transform us into saints.

You just hit 1 million followers on Instagram on Ash Wednesday! Do you see God’s hand in the timing?

I absolutely thought the timing was Providential! Social media can be a great tool for evangelization, but at the end of the day, it is all ashes. The world as we know it is passing away, so we have to make the most of the moments we have!

While many people are consuming content and learning from you, what are you perhaps learning from your followers?

I have learned how many people are open to receiving the Gospel. People are searching for purpose and meaning, and the Church has the most beautiful answers. There are so many stories. I just spoke to a lady at an event this week who said she had been away from confession for a long time but saw one of my videos and decided to go back. She said it was a wonderful experience. These personal stories, like hers, are a testament to the impact of our ministry and why we do what we do!

What practices are important for you to keep in mind as you create online content?

For me, the consideration with evangelization is always, "Where is the audience? Where is Christ? And how can I connect the two?" Humor is often compelling, but so is discussing current events, music, and personal experiences. Ultimately, I know the Church has what everyone is looking for: union with a God who loves them.

How has creating content, especially on platforms heavily utilized by young adults and those discerning vocations, transformed your faith and relationship with Christ?

What is great about your relationship with God is that it is constantly changing, growing, and deepening. Creating content that is published and viewed online has certainly affirmed my decision to go all-in with my priesthood. I see that there is a definite need for this. I see, as Jesus says in Scripture, how so many are "Like sheep without a shepherd." The fact that Christ has called me to act in His Person in the world and to love His people as He loves them — and, through that, to be more deeply united to Him — is an incredible blessing.

Father DMM Participant Reflections

Which message stood out?

..... Go with confidence to Confession and Mass, and go in peace (a command of Christ, not a suggestion). Surround yourself with people who will lead you back to Christ. At 42 years old, I could relate to everything he talked about, and it was exactly what I needed to hear. ~Jillian Draeger, 42, Saint William

... when he said that he would choose to be a priest every time if he had 1,000 lives. I think that was impactful to say regarding the priesthood and its beauty. The talk reinforced my love for the Eucharist, how Jesus wants to be with us, and how He humbles Himself to be received so simply. ~Lily Cabello, 21, SJSU Newman Center

... that God is gentle and kind, and He loves me. I am currently discerning a vocation to Religious Life, and hearing his experience with becoming a priest and how much he loves it inspires me to be more enthusiastic about answering God’s call to be a Religious Sister. ~Abigail Nichols, 17, Our Lady of Peace

...that you can be a priest, be funny, and be holy and happy! The crowd loved it! I hope it had a positive impact on the young people. ~Carmen Vigo, 40+, St. Joseph Mountain View

... how he was able to use modern and simple examples (such as subscriptions) and connect them with deep truths (how the devil wants a little bit of our time, hence the subscription). ~Elizabeth Ching, 17, Our Lady of Peace

...  that it is also our actions and desire to be better for Jesus to help make us one with Him. By far the best talk I’ve been to! ~Machaela Martinez, 19, Mount Saint Joseph Carmelite Monastery

... That Jesus is always gentle. He thought about everything and made himself available to us. He pursues us before we pursue Him. ~Natalia Khaw, 49, Saint Dunstan Church, Millbrae

... the messages: "Jesus is showing up every time, whether you feel it or not." This is a very meaningful affirmation to keep close to heart. Also, "No sin is too great but only our trust is too small." How great His Mercy is for us, but we are hesitant or reluctant to embrace it! ~Janet Lau, 60, Church of the Ascension

His talk reinforced my belief in having faith in God, in his timing, and in his will. It felt more impactful coming from a well-known priest I admired through his social media presence. The talk inspired me to continue living out my faith and to reach out to those who do not share it. ~Julia Nguyen, 21, Our Lady of La Vang

His song and story, "Just Say Amen." It brought me back to my first communion and then to my walk with my parents, both with dementia, and perhaps my future with my husband. The love of the Eucharist was evident in the lives of each of the characters in this song. So very moving. ~Catherine Campbell, 63, Saint Frances Cabrini

As fellow discerners in our diocese, I hope we can all raise awareness of any constricting attitudes when our siblings, cousins, and friends express interest in discerning a vocation to the Religious Life.  I am now more excited and filled with courage to embark on the decision to apply to our diocese and become a seminarian, to follow Christ's calling and become one of His amazing priests, like Fr. David Michael Moses, through God’s grace. ~Preston Venenciano, 24, Saint John the Baptist

He talked in a way I could understand. Thanks to him, I have learned to love God more and appreciate receiving the Sacraments, such as confession. Father David Michael has helped me feel like becoming a priest may be something I could do, because he seems like a regular guy. ~Christos Karunanayake, 11, St. Simon

His talk gave me the nudge I needed to plan to go to Confession (I went just a week later!). When I was 17, I realized that part of my calling in life was to show God's love and forgiveness to others, because He had shown His love and forgiveness to me in a tremendous way. Fr. David Michael's talk reminded me of the joyful mission of being an instrument of God's love and forgiveness. ~Maria Oswald, 43, Sacred Heart, Saratoga, CA

His conviction of the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is profound. It made my whole family reflect on our conviction as well; he was genuine and convincing. ~Huey Faustina Ho, 40+, Saint William and Saint Nicholas