08/23/2026
GET TO KNOW THE PRIESTS WHO SERVE BISHOP FLAGET SCHOOL
As Parochial Vicar, Father Goodchild serves Bishop Flaget alongside Father Dooley, helping provide spiritual guidance and a priestly presence for our students and school community. We invite you to get to know a little more about him!
Father Goodchild grew up in Pickerington, Ohio, on the southeast side of Columbus. As a kid, he was outgoing, loved sports and games, and read the sports page of The Columbus Dispatch every day. He was also small for his age, entering high school at just 4’11”, which he says gave him a little extra determination to play hard.
His favorite subject was math, especially Algebra, and his first job was as a soccer referee.
HIS CALL TO THE PRIESTHOOD
The first seed of Father Goodchild’s vocation was planted during his senior year of high school, when youth group leaders asked if he had ever considered becoming a priest. The thought had never crossed his mind, and after considering it, he decided the priesthood wasn’t for him.
He attended Ohio Northern University, graduated in 2018 and began his career. After leaving his first job that fall, he began seriously considering the priesthood. Looking back, he realized that seed planted in high school had never completely gone away, and that he hadn’t yet been fully open to God’s plan for his life.
A FEW FAVORITES
Father Goodchild loves golf, cheers for the Cincinnati Reds and considers a peanut butter and jelly or honey sandwich a favorite comfort food.
His favorite book outside of the Bible is The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo because he saw a little of himself in Despereaux: someone smaller than most, but with a big heart.
Among his many favorite saints, St. John Bosco stands out for his joyful and authentic witness to the Gospel, especially in his service to young people.
His favorite hymn is “Crown Him With Many Crowns,” and his favorite praise and worship song is “Goodness of God.”
HIS FAVORITE TIME OF THE CHURCH YEAR
Father Goodchild’s favorite liturgical season is Holy Week, when he says time seems to slow down.
As we journey from Palm Sunday through Easter, we have the opportunity to meditate more deeply on Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, His Passion, Death and Resurrection. Father Goodchild finds something especially intimate about spending time with each of these Sacred Mysteries, which we celebrate together at every Mass.
GROWING CLOSER TO GOD
Father Goodchild encourages students to go to Mass every Sunday and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least once a year, emphasizing the importance of living in a state of grace.
It’s something he wishes he had understood when he was younger: “I wish I lived in the ‘state of grace’ when I was a child.” He hopes students understand the importance of these practices now and carry them with them as they grow in their faith.
His second piece of advice is wonderfully simple: actually open the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke or John, and read them.
“The Word of God is living and effective, and it actually does change the lives of those who take time to read it. Jesus is waiting for you in those pages.”
JUST FOR FUN
Father Goodchild is a tea drinking morning person who prefers the mountains over the beach. If he weren’t a priest, he could see himself as a teacher and coach, particularly in baseball or golf.
And something students may not know? He is mostly fluent in Spanish!
¡Yo hablo en Español con fluidez!
HOW CAN WE PRAY FOR FATHER?
Father Goodchild asks our Bishop Flaget students and families to offer a Hail Mary for him, that he may be a holy priest completely surrendered to God’s Will.
And if you see him, he welcomes an even more personal question:
“How can I pray for you, Father?”
“That would move my heart greatly.”
We are grateful for Father Goodchild’s presence in our Bishop Flaget community and for the joyful example he gives our students as they learn to know, love and follow Christ.
