VOCATIONS RESOURCES
+ 10 Tips for Vocation Discernment (from ArchKCK Vocations)
+ Current ArchKCK Seminarians (keep these men in your prayers!)
+ Think you might be hearing a call from the Lord to explore the Priesthood or Religious Life? Contact Fr. Dan Morris, Vocation Director, at vocation@archkck.org or (913) 647-0303, or visit the ArchKCK Vocations Office webpage.
How and when did you know you were called to be a priest?
I first started to pray about becoming a priest when I was a Junior in high school. I did not have complete confirmation that this was where the Lord was calling me to be until year 5 (out of 9) during a 30 Day silent retreat. Jesus made it abundantly clear that this is where he was calling me to be, but I still had the free choice to choose whatever I wanted. I realized that following the Lord and the path he desires of me is where I would find the greatest joy. The Father has not let me down!
What has surprised you most about being a priest?
The workload! I knew that my life would be incredibly busy...but I didn't realize exactly how busy! It is beautiful to be absolutely exhausted at the end of the day having poured myself out for the love of the people.
What are the most rewarding parts of the priesthood?
The most rewarding part is being a part of the important moments in people's lives. From the very beginning we are there at the baptism, to confirmation, to confessions, to their 1st Communions, to the wedding, to the anointing of the sick, to the funeral. We participate in some of the largest moments of people's lives and are there to walk with them.
What are the most difficult parts of the priesthood?
Some of the more difficult parts is entering into the brokenness of people's lives....sometimes hearing people's stories is heartbreaking, but it is beautiful to bring Jesus into those dark moments of difficulty.
What does a typical day look like?
A typical day begins around 5 am for Mass at 6:15, then our chapel in the house for some time in prayer. Around 9 I head over to the office for meetings with staff and office work. I normally take a little time for myself in the afternoon to rest, read, or workout. At 5 Fr. Greg, Fr. Francis, and I pray together and then share a meal. In the evening I normally have marriage prep or am teaching a class of some sort.
How can parents encourage children to respond to their vocation?
Encourage them to follow wherever the Lord is calling them to go. If the Lord is calling them to be married, Glory to God! If he is calling them to be a priest, Glory to God! Whatever the Lord is calling them to be is where they will find the most joy. Having a priest in the family is a great blessing and a joy, but so is having grandchildren. Following whatever vocation the Lord is calling them to should be supported.
If you were not a priest, what work do you think you would do?
I totally would be working in vintage auto body restoration. I love working on cars, the older the better!
Who in the bible would you like to meet face to face?
Behind Jesus and Mary, I would love to meet the apostle John. John was known as the Beloved Disciple and dwelt in an intimate way with our Lord. After the Crucifixion, John took Mary into his home and cared for her. I would love to hear his insights into the life he lived with both Jesus and Mary.
How and when did you know you were called to be a priest?
St. Paul had a lightning flash moment of conversion! For me, the Lord’s call to a life of priestly service was a much longer process of discernment! I was blessed with the faith-filled example of my parents. My dad, as a farmer, was a contemplative person of prayer – taking Communion to the homebound in our parish community, typing and copying the parish bulletin each week, serving as a cantor, participating in the K of C for 40 years as the financial secretary, etc. My mother, was the witness of care-giving and hospitality – not only preparing meals for our family of 10 but also taking meals to the homebound and sorrowing, serving as the Altar Society chair, teaching in the Religious Ed program, welcoming the priest/sisters, and all who came for a place at our table, and being a wonderful story-teller! Yes, we prayed the rosary each evening at the conclusion of supper while sitting around the dining table (with 10 of us, we went around and around the table for the Hail Marys!). My aunt was a Franciscan Sister, and my grandfather’s brother was a priest. So, I was surrounded by so many witnesses of our treasured faith. After grade school and after high school, I considered the possibility of priesthood, and then after my college years at Benedictine, I responded to God’s call to begin seminary formation. Archbishop Strecker invited me to study at the North American College seminary in Rome for 4 years. Three months before being Ordained in my hometown church in Paxico, God called my Dad home to heaven. Throughout these 41 years of Priesthood, I’ve been blessed with the witness of faith and the gift of heavenly prayer by so so many people!
What has surprised you most about being a priest?
As with every vocation, priestly ministry is filled with so many many blessings, as well as challenges, frustrations, and sorrows. Indeed, as the Psalmist says again and again and again: “God’s great love, God’s great mercy, endures forever!”
What are the most rewarding parts of the priesthood?
Living, as Pope Francis says, “the art of accompaniment” with those encountered each day is most rewarding, as well as celebrating the Sacramental life with God’s people is such a privilege.
What are the most difficult parts of the priesthood?
The ongoing challenge for myself, as for so many of us, is living the call to patience, to respectful listening, to generosity of heart and time, and being grateful at the conclusion of each day!
What does a typical day look like?
Fr. Greg and Fr. Andrew will tell you that my day begins with a bowl of Cheerios, along with Morning Prayer! Depending on the scheduled time of Mass, I spend a block of time preparing a homily reflection. As Minister to Priests, I spend a good portion of many days traveling to visit with brother priests – the retired, the international priests, as well as the pastors/associate pastors/chaplains throughout our Archdiocese. I never dreamed of serving in this ministry, but am pleased to share my Dad’s contemplative listening and my Mother’s hospitality during these visits. Some days might include a little reading, or gardening, a good walk and even an ice cream treat!!!
How can parents encourage children to respond to their vocation?
The best encouragement is the witness I experienced: to keep living your marriage covenant ”in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, all the days of your life”, and then to share the treasure of faith with your participation and love.
If you were not a priest, what work do you think you would do?
At this point on my life’s journey, I am not looking for another vocation or career!!! Thanks be to God! As a College student, I completed my degree in music, so at that time I also considered the possibility of church music ministry or teaching – but we all know what happens when a musician doesn’t practice regularly!
Who in the bible would you like to meet face to face?
The culmination of our whole life’s journey --- “Jesus Christ, yesterday, today, and forever!”
How and when did you know you were called to be a priest?
That is a long story, but the short version is that I first thought about it early in high school after watching a video on apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I started to think and pray about what God wanted me to do, and the idea of being a priest came to mind. I kept thinking and dabbling my toes in discerning the vocation at times in high school, and then in college at KU studying engineering. However, I was uncertain and afraid of the call. I graduated college and went to work at Garmin in Olathe, and thought I had settled things that I would get married and settle down. God had other plans. I started hanging out with very active Christian friends, doing a Bible study, started doing an hour of Eucharistic adoration each week, praying the Rosary, and attending an adult faith class. My passion for the faith kept growing. Mike Scherschligt suggested to me that I do a total consecration to Jesus through Mary (ala St. Louis de Monfort) and let Mary help lead me to what Jesus wants of me. I immediately knew I had to do that, and once completed, the sense of fear of a priestly vocation disappeared. I visited a seminary and loved it, and all the doors just opened up!
What has surprised you most about being a priest?
First, that God chose me to be one! Also, there are lots of meetings and administration. And people love to give to priests, especially food, so it is hard to stay fit!
What are the most rewarding parts of the priesthood?
I get to work for God and know that what I do makes a difference. It is wonderful to see God working in people’s lives.
What are the most difficult parts of the priesthood?
The overwhelming needs and duties, and always having to do many things much more poorly than I would like. Also, obedience to the Archbishop when I’ve been asked to move. I don’t like that.
What does a typical day look like?
Hard to say as every day is often different, but a sample weekday would look like this. I like to rise at 6am, make coffee, pray, prepare my morning homily, get ready for the day. Then have 8:15am Mass. After that I go to the parish office for who knows what staff meetings, questions, emails, writing articles, meeting with parishioners for various reasons (confessions, counseling, marriage prep, funeral planning, etc.) I occasionally have meetings on the Archdiocesan level. Then we try to pray evening prayer and eat dinner together as priests in the rectory at 5pm for three days a week. Evenings often have bigger meetings like pastoral or finance council, or RCIA, or something like that. And I try to get some exercise in a few days a week (running). Often I get home to retire and relax often around 8pm or so. They are very often full days, but if I am prayerful with them, they are amazing days.
How can parents encourage children to respond to their vocation?
Pray for them and with them, talk about faith in the home, encourage them always to do what God asks. Above all help teach them to pray. If we hear God in prayer, then that is at least half the battle!
If you were not a priest, what work do you think you would do?
I would probably still be working in engineering for Garmin, what I did before I became a priest.
Who in the bible would you like to meet face to face?
Jesus #1 of course! After that, Mary, then any apostle…there is just so much untold about Jesus they could share with me.