Heart of the family: where vocations are born Wiering, Timmerman, Hesse - seminarians’ parents share their family life experiences

by Sue Torgersen, CSJ

As we celebrate the Advent and Christmas seasons we honor our God who chose to be one with us. What a marvelous mystery of our faith that God not only created us but also chose to be human, to be in the middle of what our life is about, and to raise our human lives into the experience of the divine. During this time of the year we may be especially drawn into a renewed realization of how tender and precious are the close relationships we hold. Often our experiences of family and Christmas seem to flow into one another in a way that touches our hearts most poignantly as we contemplate the life of the Holy Family.

I recently spoke with the parents of some of our seminarians because I wanted to try to understand a bit more of the mystery of what takes place in families that gives birth and nurture the vocational choices of their children.

"We’re just ordinary people," said Rhonda Wiering, "We love God and we know we need him in our life; we put him first." Rhonda and Ron of St. Dionysius parish in Tyler, MN, are the parents of Matt Wiering, a sophomore at St. John Vianney Seminary in St. Paul. Prayer has always been important in the Wiering family life. "When our kids were little we would bless them when we put them to bed. Once one of them took us by surprise and blessed us back. We’ve been blessing each other ever since!" The family always prayed the Rosary together and they also prayed together spontaneously. Rhonda and Ron fostered values of honesty and a non-judgmental attitude toward others. In raising their children they fostered and encouraged their vocational gifts while trying not to be ‘pushy’.

The experience of Pat and Gary Timmerman from St. Clotilde parish of Green Valley is similar. As parents of four boys Pat and Gary believe and trust that they need to model for their children what they also expect. The family prays every night at supper, they attend church together, and they are involved in the parish religious education program. They encourage and affirm their children for the interests they show, whether that be a love of math or a curiosity that causes them to try new things. Their son, Craig, first began to experience an interest in priesthood when in 1993 he attended World Youth Day in Denver. He was so amazed and inspired by the huge number of young Catholics committed to their faith, that he began to have thoughts about becoming a priest. Craig is now a first year theology student at the Pontifical North American College in Vatican City.

"We would throw out little hints to all the boys," said Marianne Hesse, when she and her husband, Richard, noticed a particular talent in one of their sons. "One of the hardest things as a parent is to know the difference between encouragement and pressure. Our role is to help open their minds and let them be free to go with it." Richard and Marianne Hesse, from St. Anthony parish in Watkins MN, are the parents of 4 sons. Tony, their second oldest, was just ordained a deacon on Saturday, November 18. Prayer and open communication have always been a way of life in the Hesse household. Marianne explained, "Prayer starts with my personal relationship with God, then the relationship with God that Richard and I have together, and finally reaches out to include the whole family." Their family life includes Grace before and after every meal. They wouldn’t leave the table without saying an Our Father and a Hail Mary for vocations. Once when Tony was in Junior High, he had just gotten off the phone with Father George Schmit, then pastor of St. Anthony. "He’s always so happy!" Tony remarked. "Have you ever considered following the same road?" questioned his father. A parent who lives close to God is ready to be prompted by the Holy Spirit to ask a reflective and direct question in a timely manner. Though Tony doesn’t remember this specific incident, he recalls with appreciation both his parents’ excitement in learning of his intent to enter the seminary, and their commitment to give equal support to each of his brothers in the vocational discernment.

What about you, your family, and those with whom you have close ties? In what ways does your life of prayer lead you to provide a home of support and nurture for God’s call in the lives of those you love? What are the special blessings of love and service possessed by your own children and the children of others around you? What are you willing to do to call forth and affirm these gifts?

Sr. Sue Torgersen is the Director of Continuing Education of Clergy and Associate Director of Vocations for the Diocese of New Ulm.