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Year for Priests: Reflecting on vocation, ministry

Name: Father Shane Deman  

Birth date including year: Dec. 12, 1980

Hometown: Sioux City

Education: Bishop Heelan High School; B.A. University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN; S.T.L Gregorian University

Ordination date: June 28, 2009

Current assignment: Associate Pastor of Holy Trinity Parish and Chaplain to St. Edmond High School

Hobbies/interests: For hobbies, I enjoy playing the piano, composing music and lifting weights.

Describe your call to priesthood:  I didn't seriously consider the priesthood until I was in college, though people had encouraged me to think about it while I was in high school.  As I got to know more priests, I grew in admiration for the work they did in serving others through the sacraments and in trying to heal the culture around them.  Over time, I began to realize that the Lord was inviting me to make their work and mission my own.     

Did anyone or anything provide you with inspiration to follow the call to priesthood? Father Brian Hughes was very encouraging of my vocation while I was in high school, as was Brendan Burchard of Heelan High School. 

Was it a difficult decision to make? At first, I was scared to tell my friends.  I found out later that many of them had expected that I would pursue the priesthood, though they never shared this with me while in high school. 

What do you enjoy most about being a priest? Offering the Eucharist to the People of God on a daily basis is a tremendous privilege, as is hearing confessions as people invite you into the deepest areas of their lives. 

Are there any particular devotions or prayers that are dear to your heart? Since my days in college, I have had a strong devotion to the Blessed Mother, St. John Vianney and St. Catherine of Siena. 

Why do you find priesthood to be a worthy vocation?  The priesthood is a worthy vocation because like all vocations, one has the opportunity to respond to the call of the Lord as he invites each of us to pursue holiness in varying ways. 

What would you say to a young man considering a vocation to the priesthood? Don't be afraid to talk to others about it, including your family members, friends and local priests.  Also, pray for the grace to willingly respond to the Lord in whatever way he may call you.