James Weeder
Theology II
Hello my name is James Weeder and I grew up in Albion, NE attending Saint Michael's parish. Paul and Sue are my parents are and I am the middle of five children who are Traci, Brian, Becky, and Aaron. I attended Saint Michael's Elementary School and Boone Central High School in Albion, graduating in 1994. Following high school I attended Southeast Community College in Milford where I received an AAS degree in Electromechanical Technology. I worked in that field for about seven years up until the time I entered the seminary. I am currently a member of St. Patrick's parish in Gretna and have been active with high school youth groups, religious education, Camp St. Francis, and the Knights of Columbus.
Looking back, the first time I thought about the priesthood was when one of my co-workers, who was in the same stage of life and doing many of the same things that I was, entered the seminary. To witness him enter the seminary to discern God’s will in his life got me thinking about my vocation more; however, at that time I was not open to the priesthood and thought the call would go away. After two years of running away from the call I finally gave into "God's nagging," as I call it. I applied and was accepted to the seminary for the Archdiocese of Omaha in 2003. I still had reservations though and was sure that after one year of seminary I would know that God was not calling me to be a priest. I guess God's plans were different than mine because I have finished college seminary, am currently in theology, and will be ordained in 2011, God willing.
My call to priesthood is affirmed by knowing that people I both know and do not know are offerings prayers and sacrifice for me. Furthermore, the encouragement that I receive from those around me and the love that I have for all people reaffirm the call to priesthood. The years that I have been in the seminary have taught me a great deal about the love, sacrifice, and commitment involved in any vocation. As I continue my discernment I realize that I must put my trust fully in God, step outside of my comfort zone, and make sacrifices in order to do His will. I am grateful for your generosity and prayers which has given me the opportunity to discern God's will in the seminary while growing spiritually, intellectually, and personally.
For those of you who may think you have a call to the priesthood or religious life continue to pray, be open, and follow the motto of John Paul II and "Be not afraid.” I can testify with my own walk with the Lord, that the seminary is not just a place to discern God’s will, but it is also a place to grow into the man that God is calling you to be. None of us are holy or worthy enough to be a servant of Christ, but I will always remember this statement from the Christian Encounter Christ weekend I attended: "God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called."
