Priestly vocations

Eight men answered the call to the priesthood this fall by joining the seminary for the Bismarck Diocese. The diocese is blessed to currently have 15 seminarians, at different levels of study, in formation to one day, God willing, become your priests.
New to the seminary this year are Taylen Thomas, Paul Vetter, Joseph Schweitzer, Ronan Klindworth, Preston Barbie, Tyler Selzler, Aiden Schaefbauer and Nolan Johnson.
In this month’s edition, we introduce you to three of the eight newest men studying to someday be your priest. Subsequent articles will profile the other men. Each of these men have recently finished their first semester of seminary study and have returned to start the second.
 
Taylen Thomas
 
Taylen Thomas grew up in Mandan attending Spirit of Life Catholic Church. Inspired by his parents who were very active in their parish, he naturally became more involved by following their example.
 
“I began serving Mass, attended CCD and youth group, and later volunteered in the Spirit of Life outreach program,” Taylen said. “The faithful clergy, religious, seminarians and laity who I have encountered throughout my life have been the foundation of my desire to serve our Lord, wherever He may call me.”
 
As a youngster, Taylen was impressed by strong leadership from his pastor leading him to an admiration of the priestly vocation.
 
“As a young boy, I had great awe for the strong men who wore clerics, administered the sacraments and shepherded a parish,” he shared. “While I was in elementary school, our parish was blessed with Monsignor Chad Gion as our pastor. I served many Masses for him and spent additional time with him and his staff through my work in the outreach program. He was a brilliant and compassionate priest who deeply loved Jesus and the Church and lived that love without hesitation. I wanted to be just like him and his brother priests when I grew up.”
 
When considering who influenced his faith over the years, he’s quick to mention family first as well as clergy and others who helped form his love for the Church.
 
“When you come from the Bismarck Diocese, nearly everyone you meet leaves an impression on you,” Taylen said. “I am deeply grateful to my parents and to my Grandma Judy, who first taught me who Jesus is. I am thankful for the witness of Monsignor Chad Gion, Fr. Ben Franchuk, Fr. Paul Gardner, Fr. Joshua Ehli, Fr. Grant Dvorak, Monsignor Shea, Sr. Miriam James Heidland and Sr. Idelle Badt, whose lives radiate the love of Christ through the priesthood and religious life. I also recognize the faithful catechists who formed me as a young boy, including Deacon Tony Ternes, Rebecca Liffrig and Paige Rising. 
 
“One of the most influential experiences in my life was the SEARCH program, especially the adult leadership under Dean Johs and Fr. Ben Franchuk, and the many young people I encountered through that ministry. Since entering seminary, I am grateful for the leadership and guidance of Bishop David Kagan, Fr. Jordan Dosch and Fr. Steven Vetter. While I cannot name everyone who has influenced my life, I hold them close in prayer.”
 
Taylen is studying at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis. While only experiencing seminary for a short time, he said it has felt like “home” since day one.
 
“My experience at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary has been nothing short of grace-filled. From the first day, I was welcomed with genuine love and acceptance by the formation team,” he explained. “I have grown in my understanding of love and forgiveness and have developed a deeper desire for the sacraments. I am especially grateful for the time each day to sit with our Lord in silent prayer in the beautiful seminary chapel.”
 
There’s no question that the new experiences can be daunting, but the people who surround him have made it enjoyable. 
 
“What I enjoy most about seminary is the people,” Taylen said. “I am blessed to walk alongside real men who deeply love the Lord. While I cherish all the men I live with, I am especially grateful for those who have become some of the most important people in my life. Together we share healthy competition in sports, excellent food, academics and most importantly, fruitful prayer.”
 
Seminary study is a major transition for men who are discerning their vocation. They are sustained through support from fellow seminarians as well as prayerful support from members of their home diocese.
 
“To the people of our diocese, I want you to know that my vocation has not grown on its own, but has been carried forward by your prayers, sacrifices and fidelity to Christ,” Taylen noted. “Each step I take is strengthened by your witness. In moments of joy and moments of doubt, I am deeply aware that I do not walk this path alone. Thank you for your love for the Church and for allowing me and my brother seminarians to be formed not only through study and prayer, but through the living faith of the people we hope one day to serve. Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever.”
 
Paul Vetter

Paul Vetter grew up in rural Bismarck near the town of Menoken and attended St. Hildegard’s Catholic Church with his family. It was in this small parish where his faith grew big.
 
“St. Hildegard’s Parish had a major impact on my journey to the seminary,” Paul said. “I was an altar server for many years and helped with many parish events. It was there that I learned to love serving others and where my love for the Mass grew.”
 
Paul said that his initial thoughts about the seminary came at a young age mainly because his parents often talked about the priesthood and encouraged him and his siblings to stay open to the idea. Family connections have also had a strong influence on Paul as well as his Catholic school education.
 
“I also have many cousins who are priests, so I was able to be around a lot of priests growing up,” Paul explained. “After attending St. Mary’s Central High School and staying in contact with my high school chaplain and the vocation director throughout my two years of college, I was able to discern that the seminary was where God was calling me.”
 
It’s through these connections that Paul felt the impact to grow in faith.
 
“There have been many influential people who have helped me in my formation,” Paul said. “My parents, close friends, high school chaplains and vocation directors have all helped me grow closer to God and His plan for me. Each of these people has guided me through the many obstacles that come with discerning a vocation and has been an amazing support throughout my life.”
 
Paul is also in St. Louis at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary and describes the experience with enthusiasm.
 
“It has been an amazing experience so far,” Paul said. “I have been able to form friendships with many different people throughout the nation and have been able to experience my fellow seminarian’s love for God. It always amazes me that so many young people from so many different backgrounds come together under one roof to grow closer to God and to discern the calling to the priesthood.”
 
Daily prayer has been what has sustained him through the ups and downs of this new path.
 
“My favorite thing about seminary life has been the freedom and peace that come with daily prayer,” Paul explained. “In the seminary, we have the gift of going to Mass and praying a holy hour every day. Through this, I have been able to experience God’s love in a new way and have been able to receive the gifts that God has desired to bestow on us. I am truly grateful for this experience and for the opportunity to walk with God on my journey of discerning the call to the diocesan priesthood.”
 
Paul expressed his gratitude to the people of his home diocese for continued prayers.
 
“I would like to thank everyone in the Bismarck Diocese for their constant support of us seminarians,” Paul said. “Your prayers have been deeply felt here at Kenrick–Glennon Seminary, and I cannot thank you enough. For all the young people in the Bismarck Diocese who are discerning a religious vocation, please continue to reach out to others and stay in contact with your vocation director; it is a beautiful calling. Once again, I would like to thank everyone in the Bismarck Diocese for all you do to support us seminarians. It is because of you that people like me can freely discern God’s call.”
 
Joseph Schweitzer

Growing up, Joseph Schweitzer was blessed to belong to several parishes and became involved in different aspects at each one.
 
“I attended various parishes namely Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Bismarck, Queen of Peace in Dickinson, Pro-Cathedral of St. Mary in Bismarck, St. Anthony’s in Linton and Spirit of Life in Mandan,” Joseph shared. “At every parish, my family and I were actively involved whether that was in the coordination of adoration or simply in day-to-day parish activities. I received the bulk of my formation at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit and am grateful for the priests and staff who have assisted in it. I've been involved in various men's groups/studies, youth groups, the Knights of Columbus, and the most impactful being adoration.”

All the activities in the parish kept him connected, but the real discernment came in the quiet of adoration.

“I can say there have been many people who have influenced my path to seminary but ultimately time in front of the Blessed Sacrament is where I owe the credit,” he said. “It was in the still but powerful voice of Christ that I was affirmed in my desire to join seminary.” 
 
It was during his senior year of high school when thoughts of the priesthood became more evident.
 
“Throughout my life, I have been inspired and attracted to the priesthood, but a particular and strong desire began to appear when I had reached the age of 17,” Joseph explained. “I began attending St. Mary’s Central High School and really began to develop a rigorous routine of prayer. It wouldn’t be until four years later that I began to seriously consider entering. 
 
“Throughout those four years, God was forming me into the person and image He was calling me to be, notably though prayer and through the Blessed Sacrament. The final push happened quite triumphantly in daily Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. I remember being so consoled to be in the presence of Jesus when I heard a voice in my head say, ‘Haven’t I shown you more than enough grace and mercy that I’ll be with you wherever you are?’ My first initial response was, ‘Wow! Jesus, You are absolutely right!’” 
 
Joseph said that he had desired to be much closer to Jesus and the direction He was pointing toward as the priesthood. After Mass, Joseph called the vocations director at that time, Fr. Jordan Dosch, and very soon after that meeting, he applied to become a seminarian for the diocese.
 
Joseph’s road to the seminary has been paved with key people who have led him to where he is today. 
 
“I’ve had many influential people including priests, fellow parishioners and mentors,” he said. “Most notably are my father, Trent Schweitzer, Fr. Joshua Ehli, Fr. Mark Aune and friend, John Berger. It was because of these men that I was formed in the image and likeness of God and learned beautiful practices of charity, kindness and generosity. The Bible verse that comes to mind is Proverbs 27:17: “Iron is sharpened by iron; one person sharpens another.”
 
Joseph is studying at St. John Paul II Seminary in Washington, D.C.
 
“My seminary experience has been life-changing and awakening,” he said. “The priests and formation advisors here have cultivated a very sacred environment where men can become men of God and be close to Him. The fraternity is like none other to the point where my seminarian classmates have become my brothers—men I can grow, transform and laugh with.” 
 
Being in a large city gives the seminarians there an opportunity to enjoy the Catholic sites nearby.
 
“My most favorite aspect of seminary would certainly have to be the accessibility to the sacraments,” Joseph shared. “Adoration, Mass and confession are offered everyday not just in the seminary but about every 500 feet in any direction of the seminary. From the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception to the Franciscan Monastery, from St. John Paul II Shrine to the Dominican House of Studies, there is always a place to encounter Jesus through the sacraments.”
 
Joseph is quick to point back toward his roots of his home diocese as the true inspiration for this journey. 
 
“I have the utmost respect and gratitude for the Bismarck Diocese and its people,” he said. “It is an easy place to foster a deep devotion to our Lord and encounter others to do it with. It was because of many faithful people that I got to be where I am today. Their examples of prayer and perseverance continue to be a light and motivation to continue this beautiful calling.”
 
To learn more about vocations in our diocese, visit our website at bismarckdiocese.com/vocations-1 to watch the vocation stories of all the men studying for the Bismarck Diocese. Later issues of the Dakota Catholic Action will feature the newest seminarians in formation.