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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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