Vocations Archives - The Bishop's Bulletin

New religious community arrives in diocese

October 2021, Vocations

Oct 01, 2021 by rkranz

By Renae Kranz What happens when you mix joyful religious sisters with curious high school and junior high students? A whole lot of opportunities for holiness! [caption id="attachment_6100" align="alignright" width="300"] Sister Eileen and Sister Lynn, PES, outside O'Gorman High School. (Photos by Sister Cinthya, PES)[/caption] Two Pro Ecclesia Sancta (PES) sisters, Sister Eileen and Sister Lynn, arrived in the Diocese of Sioux Falls in mid-summer to establish a new PES house in Sioux Falls at the invitation of Bishop DeGrood. Their mission (or charism) is to live and promote a vocation to holiness, reminding people of their call to be holy in all vocations. The sisters will be primarily working with youth, children and families, especially at O’Gorman Junior and Senior High. The PES ecclesial family of sisters, brothers and…

Fifty years of priesthood span three countries

September 2021, Vocations

Sep 01, 2021 by rkranz

By Laurie Stiegelmeier Father Albert Cizewski, ordained a priest in Poland 50 years ago, has experienced parish life in three different countries. Over those years, the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament has given him the strength to carry out his vocation every day. Early ministry years [caption id="attachment_6045" align="alignright" width="300"] Father Albert Cizewski, pastor at St. John de Britto in Britton, draws strength and joy from his time in front of the Blessed Sacrament.[/caption] It’s difficult for him to say what drew him to the priesthood, but he had been an altar server for many years and met a wonderful priest who was a good example. After eight years of elementary school and four of high school, Father Albert attended six years of seminary in Bialystok, Poland.…

Priests work to give the unknown a place to rest

August 2021, Vocations

Aug 01, 2021 by rkranz

By Renae Kranz Running a parish can keep a priest quite busy. Confessions, Masses, funerals, weddings, emergencies, and parish administrative work are just some of the things vying for their attention every day. Among all these responsibilities, priests also need to tend to their relationship with Jesus and do good works for others. One group of priests has found a way to help others, but these “others” are not able to thank them or show any kind of gratitude, at least not in this life. They tend to those who have died and have no one to pray for them. [caption id="attachment_5989" align="alignright" width="225"] Fr. Jordan Samson digs the spot where a marker will be placed.[/caption] Father Jordan Samson, pastor of Christ the King Parish in Sioux Falls, was riding…

Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate

June 2021, Vocations

Jun 01, 2021 by rkranz

Five men were ordained to the order of diaconate in the Diocese of Sioux Falls on May 15 at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph. Bishop Donald DeGrood was the ordaining bishop. [caption id="attachment_5896" align="alignleft" width="300"] The five new deacons of the diocese with Bishop DeGrood. From left to right: Daniel Guy Sherban, Jeffrey Paul Swank, Bradley Elvin Palmer, Bishop Donald DeGrood, Peter Jude Sexton and Jonathan Scott Eckrich. (All photos by Jordan Pannell Photography)[/caption] These men went through four years of formation under Deacon John Devlin in preparing for their ordination. [caption id="attachment_5897" align="alignright" width="300"] Bishop DeGrood speaks words of encouragement and holy instruction during his homily.[/caption]

Diocese to celebrate three ordination Masses

May 2021, Vocations

May 01, 2021 by rkranz

Bishop Donald DeGrood will celebrate three ordination Masses in his second year as bishop in the Diocese of Sioux Falls. All three ordinations will take place at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph. Five men will be ordained to the permanent diaconate on Saturday, May 15. These men began their formation in 2018. The five permanent deacons to be ordained are: Jonathan Eckrich, Bradley Palmer, Peter Sexton, Daniel Sherban and Jeffrey Swank. After ordination, they will serve in parishes in Sioux Falls, Pierre, Aberdeen, Beresford and Madison. Watch for photos from their ordination in the June issue of the Bishop’s Bulletin. Three men will be ordained to the transitional diaconate on Thursday, May 27. They are: Nicholas Haiar, Mitchell McLaughlin and Zachary Schaefbauer. After ordination, they will serve for the summer…

Vocations Q&A with Sister Mary Thomas

April 2021, Vocations

Apr 01, 2021 by rkranz

[caption id="attachment_5758" align="alignright" width="300"] Sister Mary Thomas with Collin Block[/caption] Sister Mary Thomas, a Presentation Sister of the Blessed Virgin Mary, has been a religious sister since September 2, 1978. She is currently the senior vice president of mission at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Q. Tell us a bit about your family and where you grew up. A. I am the youngest of eight children. I grew up on a farm north of Bowdle. I loved living on the farm and how we all worked together to get big projects accomplished. All my siblings lived in the area so we were able to gather frequently as an extended family. Q. How did you get your call to the religious life? A. A call matures and begins with noticing.…

Vocations Q&A with Deacon Scott Miller

March 2021, Vocations

Mar 01, 2021 by rkranz

[caption id="attachment_5648" align="alignright" width="226"] Transitional Deacon Scott Miller[/caption] Deacon Scott Miller is a transitional deacon in the Diocese of Sioux Falls. He will be ordained to the priesthood May 28, 2021. This month we get a peek at one of our soon-to-be new priests. Q. Tell us a bit about your family and where you grew up. A. I grew up in Sioux Falls. My parents are Todd and Linda Miller, and I am the youngest of three boys. Ryan and Chad are the oldest and middle, respectively. Q. How did you get your call to the priesthood? A. The thought of the priesthood came to me at age eight, when I distinctly remember at every family gathering my grandparents would ask me, “Scott, what do you want to do…

Vocations Q&A with Father Brian Eckrich

February 2021, Vocations

Feb 01, 2021 by rkranz

[caption id="attachment_5549" align="alignright" width="240"] Fr. Brian Eckrich[/caption] Father Brian Eckrich is the parochial vicar at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Sioux Falls. He was ordained to the priesthood June 2, 2017, and spent the first two years of his priesthood as parochial vicar at Immaculate Conception Parish in Watertown. This month, we learn a bit more about this witty, thoughtful priest. Q. Tell us a bit about your family and where you grew up. A. I grew up in Aberdeen and graduated from Aberdeen Roncalli. I have a younger brother who’s married and lives in Sioux Falls. Q. How did you get your call to the priesthood? A. God called me to the priesthood through my involvement in the Pius XII Newman Center at SDSU and within that, FOCUS…