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Year for Priests: Reflecting on vocation, ministry

Name: Father James Arthur Bruch

Birth date including year: Nov. 30, 1939

Hometown: Mount Carmel, Iowa

Education: OLMC High School, Conception Seminary and Mt. St. Bernard Seminary

Ordination date: June 5, 1965

Current assignment: Pastor at St. Boniface in Sioux City

Hobbies/interests: Reading and crossword puzzles

Describe your call to the priesthood. From sometime in grade school and on, I thought about the priesthood as my father had a brother, Walter, who was studying for the priesthood, and everyone admired him. Often I would hear my parents say how nice it would be if one of us became a priest or religious.

Did anyone or anything provide you with inspiration to follow the call the priesthood? Family encouragement and support, and the priests I knew.

Was it a difficult decision to make? No, not really.

What do you enjoy about being a priest? The people we are privileged to serve, getting to know them and being a part of their lives.

Are there any particular devotions or prayers that are dear to your heart? I must say the Mass is the most important, then the Divine Office and I have a great affection for Jesu Caritas.

Why do you find priesthood to be a worthy vocation? There is such a sense of fulfillment in serving others, of being available to others and in walking with them in their spiritual journey.

What would you say to a young man considering a vocation to the priesthood? If you think about it, give it a try. Don’t be afraid to speak to a priest about what you are thinking. Pray.