michael warfel was born in elkhart, indiana, and studied at indiana university; st. gregory's college seminary in cincinnati, ohio, from where he obtained a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy; mount st. mary's seminary of the west, earning his master's of divinity; and st. michael's college, colchester, vermont, earning his master's in theology. he was ordained to the priesthood on april 26, 1980. he then performed pastoral work in the archdiocese of anchorage, alaska.