You can support our seminarians -
vocations to priesthood soar in diocese!

by Fr. Brian Oestreich

"It just feels right" and "I know this is what God is calling me to do." These are two responses to a question that I recently asked two of our new seminarians for the Diocese of New Ulm. I asked them, "why do you want to be a priest for our diocese?"

In the fall of 2000 I expect that we will have 11 or 12 men studying for the priesthood for the Diocese of New Ulm. We are blessed by these men who are willing to offer their lives for the ordained ministry for this diocese.

Some of our seminarians are still in their teens while others are in their 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s. The one key element that they have in common is their zeal to serve the people of the New Ulm diocese. I am constantly amazed by their holiness and their dedication to the church in reaching out to those in need, and celebrating the sacraments.

Pope John XXIII said, "Earthly honors count for nothing, and money and wealth count even less, but holiness and the effort to make others holy is the height of human happiness; this is of the greatest importance for our present life and the life to come."

This is what priesthood is today. To strive to live a holy life and to help others in their holiness. I invite you to help us in the formation and education of our seminarians so that all of us may continue to grow in holiness. The cost of educating our seminarians is sky rocketing and with the increased number of seminarians our Seminary Aid fund is being stressed. I invite you to please consider giving generously to the Seminary Aid Fund collection in your parish. The collection is taken about this time every year. Or if you choose, you may send your contribution directly to the Office of Vocations, 1400 6th St N, New Ulm, MN 56073.

God is calling many people to service in the church. We, for our part, are called to support and enable these people to be the best ministers that they can be. Please join me in supporting our seminarians in their discernment and growth in holiness.

We never know what the future holds for us, but as Pope John XXIII wrote, "We are where we usually are: I desire nothing more nor less than what the Lord continues to give me. I thank him and I bless him every day; ready for anything."