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Year for Priests: Reflecting on vocation, ministry

Name: Father David A. Hemann

Birth date including year: 8-16-59 Just turned 50!

Hometown: Fort Dodge, Iowa

Education: Grade school: Corpus Christi; High School: Saint Edmonds in Fort Dodge; Loras College
Gregorian University in Rome. Lived at the North American College.

Ordination date: July 20, 1985

Current assignment: Pastor of the Catholic Churches in Holstein, Odebolt and Ida Grove.

Hobbies/interests: I love all kinds of music, particularly playing guitar and drums and singing. I enjoy nature walks and bike rides. I love cooking, reading, and watching funny and meaningful movies when I can find the time.

Describe your call to priesthood. I wanted to be a priest since I was 4 years old. I used to turn a box upside-down in front of a picture light of Jesus and raise up some Colonial bread shaped into the form of a host in imitation of a the priest. I knew something important was going on! Then, I grew in my awareness of my personal need for God to give meaning to my life. I always loved sharing about being a saint and going to heaven with the neighbor kids. Carrying on the ministry of Christ in Word and Sacrament is an awesome call!

Did anyone or anything provide you with inspiration to follow the call to priesthood? My parents really lived their Catholic faith. In Particular, my mother was very knowledgeable and inspiring when she would share the faith with us. So many priests had a profound effect on me. I wanted to be like them!

Was it a difficult decision to make? It was a rather easy decision to make: Life is short. Eternity is forever. How can I most grow in holiness and then help as many as possible to become glowing saints? That is an easy decision to make. LIVING this choice is not so easy and is a lifelong struggle of growing in holiness. Yes, living it can be the difficult part!

What do you enjoy most about being a priest? I love celebrating the Sacraments and sharing the Good News with people. It is also awesome to be with people at the most significant moments of their lives. What I really love most is the prayerful relationship with the Lord that under girds and permeates all of this.

Are there any particular devotions or prayers that are dear to your heart? I love the Psalms and many kinds of devotions like the rosary in particular. Ever since sophomore year in high school, I have committed myself to a daily Holy Hour. It is the most sustaining personal prayer in my life.

Why do you find priesthood to be a worthy vocation? No one is worthy of this vocation, but like the apostles, we are all that God has to work with. It is amazing just how straight God can write with crooked lines!

What would you say to a young man considering a vocation to the priesthood? First, I believe that every Catholic boy should at least consider at one time in his life whether God may be calling him to serve his church as a priest. Then, I often say to young men, “I am not saying you have to be a priest. Rather, I am asking you to be a man of deep, daily, and consistent prayer. Have a real and life-giving relationship with Jesus, THEN follow him!”