My Story
As a youngster, I often thought of the priesthood and spent two years of high school in a minor seminary but left at the end of my second year. After graduating from high school, I attended St. Mary of the Plains College.
Judy & I were married in 1966 and began to raise a family. We were always very connected with our parish. For us Catholic family life went hand-in-hand with our parish. We were very active in family life, pre-marriage and marriage enrichment programs.
We have eight children including one who was adopted. Our relationship as a married couple, our children and the Church always came first. Careers were for providing the way to do that.
We moved to North Dakota in 1989 and learned that the Diocese of Bismarck had a diaconate program. I had been interested in the diaconate since Vatican II. I was ordained a permanent deacon in 1995.
After Judy’s death, many people encouraged me and suggested that I consider the priesthood. My focus was on getting to retirement, getting a motor home and traveling. As I begin my discernment of what to do with my life, the priesthood and going to the seminary kept popping up. I asked my parish priest Father Harvey one day and he immediately asked if I would like him to call Father Tom Richter, the Vocation Director. I met with Father Richter and afterwards felt so excited and at peace with the thought of going to the seminary. I decided to say “yes” to seminary formation. If it was not God’s will, then God would find a way to tell me “no”.
My life has always been built around relationships, especially the spousal relationship. My desire is to serve the People of God, Christ’s spouse, as a priest.
I ask you to pray for me and thank you for all the support that has been given to me by so many.
