Our featured priest this month is Father Gregory Frankman. Father Frankman was born in Sioux Falls and has five siblings. He was ordained May 29, 1981.
How did you get your call to the priesthood?
I first thought of becoming a priest in elementary school at Saint Joseph Cathedral through the influence of the priests, especially the ones my parents were friends with; they would be invited to our home at various times. I had a powerful experience of God, the Holy Spirit, my first year of college at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, at a prayer group that I was invited to. I was drawn into the Scriptures and had my New Testament with me at all times to read in any spare moment. My second year of college, I went to a seminary, but didn’t connect well and went back to St. John’s to finish my college years. I was teaching social studies at Roncalli High School in Aberdeen, and near the end of the school year, I simply received the conviction that I was going to be ordained a priest. So guided by Father Bernie Weber, I entered St. John’s Seminary in Collegeville the following fall.
What did you do before the priesthood?
I graduated college in 1975 with a degree in religion, a minor in secondary education and one credit short of a minor in philosophy. My first year after graduating, I was a religious education coordinator for elementary through high school youth in Wadena, Minnesota. The next year, I taught at Roncalli High School in Aberdeen.
Is there a particular part of Catholicism that really fascinates you?
The part of Catholicism that fascinates me is its universality. People of every race, language and way of life are one family, because we share the Body and Blood of Jesus through the Holy Eucharist. I especially like the culture and spirituality of our Native American Catholics. The spiritual awareness and cultural expression of this part of the Catholic Church are truly beneficial to me and to our entire family of God, the Church.
Who was most influential in your life?
The most influential in my life has been every member of my family, along with Monsignor Steve Barnett; Fathers Roger Geditz, Robert Flannery, Joe Murphy, Bernie Weber and Tony Opem; and each member of the Fraternity of Priests support group of our diocese.
What’s your favorite part of being a priest?
It is bringing Jesus present to my brothers and sisters, in God’s family, along with being joy-filled and led by the Holy Spirit.
What’s the most challenging thing?
Administration has been the most challenging. I was not ordained to run a “business.” So, my philosophy during my years as a pastor was that if someone else can do it, they should.
Who is your go-to saint? Why?
St. John Vianney and St. Philomena, because that’s who St. John Vianney went to. He is the patron saint of priests, and having read his biography, I know in my heart what it means to be a parish priest.
What do you do in your spare time?
I like riding my Harley, camping, shooting stuff (targets) and outdoor experiences. I used to cross-country ski with a couple of my brother priests for a week in January every year. All of these activities I enjoy most doing in the Black Hills.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
I have been given many of the charisms, service gifts, of the Holy Spirit, which have over the years become truly natural in everyday ministry. I have been assigned to 45 parishes in our diocese and one in the St. Cloud Diocese since ordination, along with two assignments in hospital chaplaincy.
How can your parishioners and people of the diocese best help you be a great priest?
Pray for me and an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life; become more deeply in relationship with God; become stronger disciples of Jesus for his Church, his family.
If you could have supper with anyone from history (besides Jesus), who would it be and why?
I have this opportunity every time I pray or participate in the Mass. I am participating in the heavenly banquet with all the angels and saints, my brothers and sisters in Jesus. The goal for us is to get to heaven and share in the divinity of Jesus, who humbled himself to share in our humanity.
