This past July, the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm was filled to almost capacity when Bishop John C. Nienstedt ordained to the Holy Order of Priesthood two seminarians of the Diocese of New Ulm.

Deacons Mark Steffl, son of Mark and Mary Steffl of New Ulm and members of  St. Mary’s in New Ulm, and Craig Timmerman, son of Gary and Patricia Timmerman of Marshall and members of  St. Clotilde in Green Valley became priests of the Diocese of New Ulm on Saturday, July 2.

The priestly ordination of both Fr. Steffl and Fr. Timmerman demonstrates that "the Lord is continuing to call men to the priesthood, and giving them the gifts and talents to be successful and happy in the priesthood," said Fr. Todd Petersen, Director of Vocations for the Diocese of New Ulm."Discerning God's will for our lives is not an easy task. It takes intense prayer and immense support from not only family, but also friends, parishioners, priests and religious."

And that support must continue once a priest as witnessed by Fr. Steffl. “I have been deeply overwhelmed by the generosity in kind words and encouragement of so many faithful of the Diocese of New Ulm,” commented Fr. Steffl. “I have experienced the true love and respect of so many for the priesthood, which draws me constantly into a deeper appreciation of the priesthood myself. To say that I have been overwhelmed by the kindnesses and prayers would be an understatement!”

Knowing your call!

When asked to reflect on knowing his call to become a priest, Fr. Timmerman quotes words of Pope John Paul II.... “‘Do not be afraid – to live your faith as a Catholic in the midst of your society: in school, at work, with friends and at home.’ I first heard those words when I attended World Youth Day in Denver, CO in 1993.  I listened. A few years later I entered the seminary.”

Fr. Timmerman continued, “When the day of my ordination to the priesthood arrived, at first, I had a very surreal feeling, like this wasn’t really happening to me, but someone else. But as soon as I heard them call my name, and say the words, ‘We choose these men to be ordained to the priesthood,’  I knew I had finally reached the goal of my whole seminary training: I was to be a priest of God.”

Both Frs. Steffl and Timmerman agree that experiencing all that they have since becoming a priest causes them to encourage everyone with even greater fervor to beg the Lord to send more servants into His vineyard and to strengthen those whom He has already called!

“It is  truly a great time to be a Catholic and an exciting time to be a priest,” stated Fr. Steffl.