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Year for Priests: Reflecting on vocation, ministry

Name: Fr. Michael J. Erpelding

Birth date including year: 09 April 1962

Hometown: Whittemore

Education: Algona High School – 1980
Des Moines Area Community College – 1982
AA Degree and AAS in Marketing
Briar Cliff College – 1985
BA – History & Secondary Education Certification
St. Paul Seminary, School of Divinity of the College of St. Thomas (Minnesota)
MDiv
Dayton University (Ohio) MS – School Counseling
St. Paul University (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) J.C.L. – Canon Law

Ordination date: 03 June 1989

Current assignment: Pastor: St. Joseph Parish, Sioux City and Assistant Judicial Vicar

Hobbies/interests: reading, riding motorcycle

Describe your call to priesthood. I knew I was called to be a priest by the time I was about 12 years old, but I did not think I was worthy. I have accepted the call to priesthood as well the call to teach high school religion in our Catholic school and to serve the local church as a canon lawyer.

Did anyone or anything provide you with inspiration to follow the call to priesthood? Msgr. Duchaine was an inspiration to me in high school. My parents were good examples of the faith.

Was it a difficult decision to make? Yes. I could not understand why Jesus wanted me.

What do you enjoy most about being a priest? I find the sacraments to be a rich source of solace. I find I have gifts of bringing people gently to the faith.

Are there any particular devotions or prayers that are dear to your heart? Scriptural reflection is where I was called and I continue to find the richness of the faith in the Word of God.

Why do you find priesthood to be a worthy vocation? The goodness of our culture(s) need to be praised and the poverty of our culture(s) need to be challenged in our baptismal call to be priests, prophets and kings. The ordained priest then leads the praying community to be faithful to God.

What would you say to a young man considering a vocation to the priesthood?
If you are not being called you are not to be a priest. If you are being called you are to go. If you are not sure, the seminary process will help you.