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My
Vocation Prayer
I made my first vows with the Priests of the Sacred Heart in August of 1997, and I am beginning my fifth year as a Brother in the
congregation.
However, my experience with the SCJs goes back much longer. I am a "home grown"
vocation from an SCJ parish: Sacred Heart in Dupree, South Dakota.
In fact, both my family roots and my spiritual roots go back to the
SCJ's: my parents' wedding was witnessed by Fr. Joe Ford, SCJ, who also baptized me.
Coming from an SCJ parish, I became familiar with the various SCJs who
ministered with the Pastoral Team in Eagle Butte, South Dakota. Those
priests and brothers had a great influence on my vocation, and my experience
with them is was initially taught me about the community. I learned
that the SCJs ministered in South Dakota, Texas, and Mississippi. I learned
that the SCJ's minister with people and in places many do not want to work.
I learned that they have love for the spiritual life, and want to bring
the love of God to people. I learned that they have a deep concern for
social justice, and want to ensure that all people have what they need to live
and better themselves. I learned that the SCJs value community life and make time to eat, work, pray, and play together.
My road to the SCJ's was not a direct road. Were I born a generation
earlier, I would be termed a "delayed" vocation, because I did not join the SCJ's right out of High School. I considered joining the SCJ's out of
High School, but decided to wait and following my graduation, I went to the
University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota. While there, I began my
formation as a minister and earned degrees in Christian Ministry and
the Social and Behavioral Sciences. When I left college, I knew I wanted
to base my ministry in something deeper than my own conviction and commitment.
Though I wasn't able to put my finger on it at the time, I knew that I
wanted to root my ministry in a community of men dedicated to the Gospel. I
knew too that I wanted to root my ministry in a community of men dedicated
to each other as well.
During my college summers, I earned money working for the SCJ's as a
maintenance and grounds man. Much more important than the work, though, was
the opportunity to get to know the SCJs better. Time spent at work was
time spent getting to know Br. Frank Presto, Fr. Steve Huffstetter, Fr. John
Klingler, and the many others who lived and ministered with the community in
Eagle Butte. Apart from my work at Eagle Butte, my most prized memories are
spending the Fourth of July celebrating with the South Dakota SCJs, who
would meet from across the state for a picnic, meal, and fun.
Following my graduation from college, my first months of candidacy were
spent at Lower Brule, South Dakota, where I first moved into a community house on January 14th, 1995. Though I had known SCJs before, I was now
given the chance to really live as they lived: ministering together in
community with the poor and working class Native Americans, farmers,
and ranchers just off the reservation. This was when I began to know the
SCJ's from the inside out.
I soon moved to Chicago to continue my ministerial formation, attend
Novitiate, and earn an MA in Pastoral Studies at Catholic Theological
Union. Those three years were some of the most exciting, challenging, and
memorable years of my life. Imagine: a farm boy in Chicago: going to graduate
school, learning to live in the city, and most importantly: learning to
live, work, and minister as a Priest of the Sacred Heart. During these
years, I was able to visit many SCJ ministries across the United States, and
in Montreal, Canada. Though the faces and places may change, I learned that what does not change is the SCJ commitment to community life and to
ministry with the poor and working people.
After my graduation from CTU, I spent the most exciting summer of my
life in Milwaukee helping with the SCJ's English as a Second Language
program. There, I was able to meet SCJ's from across the globe. There I learned
that the SCJ's serve not only the poor and working people of the United
States and Canada, but also of the world.
Today, as an SCJ in Lower Brule, South Dakota, I work primarily with Native American youth and elders. I also work with the surrounding farming
and ranching communities as a youth minister, adult educator, and parish
minister. Last year, I started ministry at St. Joe's Indian School in
Chamberlain, helping the faculty and staff at the school with the use
of technology in the classroom. I am thankful for the opportunity to help
others see that the Heart of Christ loves them and I am thankful for
the opportunity to work with people who live on the fringes of US
society: Native Americans, farmers, and ranchers.
Finally, being an SCJ is more than just the ministry I do. Don't get
me wrong: ministry is central to my life as a Brother. As important as
ministry, though, is sharing my life with a community of Brothers and
priests who are concerned for each other. As SCJs, we live together and come together for fun, work, support, and ministry.
Want
More Direction Contact Us?
Vocation Office
P.O. Box 206
Hales Corners, WI 53130
1-800-609-5559
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