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Year for Priests: Reflecting on vocation, ministry

Name: Father Jeff Schleisman

Birthdate: October 25, 1964

Hometown: Lake City, Iowa

Education: Graduated from Lake City High School in 1983. Graduated from Loras College in 1987 with a B.A. with a Liberal Arts Major in Psychology. Attended St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, NY (Dunwoodie). Graduated from there in 2000 with a B.A. in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome and a Masters in Divinity from St. Joseph’s Seminary.

Ordination Date: June 10, 2000

Current Assignment: Pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Larchwood and Holy Name parish in Rock Rapids.

Hobbies/interests: Being outdoors, camping, hiking, kayaking, anything with nature. Cruising around on the motorcycle. Spending time on the farm.

Describe my call to the Priesthood: In one to four sentences I could describe my call by God to the priesthood as this: “Jeff, what are you doing with your life?” “Jeff, I died for you, would you be willing to die for me?” “Jeff, will you be a priest?” That is God talking to me. My response to God could never be summed up in one to four sentences as I hesitated over and over again and struggled with his calling me to the priesthood. It literally took me some 32 years before I could make a definite yes, and to describe my response to the call to the priesthood would fill this entire GLOBE newspaper and then some. God is patient, persistent and never gives up. In brief, what I can say about my response to God is this: “God, if you loved me so much that you were willing to die for me, then how can I not return that love?” “You are asking me to be a priest?” “OK, yes, I will be a priest.” Yes, my love is imperfect, I have many failures but I try to return that love each day.

Did anyone or anything provide you with inspiration to follow the call to the priesthood? My parents were definitely an inspiration as they encouraged us children to pray, to attend Mass and to seek the priesthood or religious life. Mary the mother of Jesus was very significant in my final affirmation to say “Yes” to the priesthood as her role as being the handmaid of the Lord drew me closer to Christ. Her role then and now is a beautiful one in the world in which we live. She said “Yes” to God’s will for her, even though she did not understand how this could be. I still say to myself, how is it that I am a priest? Like any mother or gather may say, how is it that I am a gather or mother of this beautiful child? It is all in God’s good hands. A mystery that someday will be revealed in its fullness.

Was it a difficult decision to make? As noted above, yes. I struggled with my many weaknesses, my brothers and sisters can vouch for that. It is true. I could write on and on about my imperfections, but God always comes in with the line “there is beauty in the midst of darkness” or in other words, “In weakness you are made strong.”

What do you enjoy most about being a priest? I enjoy most about being a priest when I see someone grow closer to Christ. Having grown up on a farm, it is like seeing the work of your labor bear fruit and when I see someone grow closer to Christ, I see the work of my labor bearing fruit. To me that is very enjoyable to see and witness. But in all truth, it is God who does the growing, I am just an instrument, a laborer trying to do what God asks me to do.

Are there any particular devotions or prayers that are dear to your heart? I particularly like reflecting on scripture. When I sit down to prepare for the upcoming Sunday Mass homily and I read and pray over the scripture readings. They feed and nourish me. Often times I find myself having to immediately write down my thoughts on paper, scribbling a note (less I forget), an insight and then maybe to the annoyance of my secretary having to express it or share it with her for I find it hard to keep it to oneself. The celebration of Mass is also dear to my heart as well, as I feel complete and strengthened in doing so.

Why do I find priesthood to be a worthy vocation? Because it is responding to God’s call to carry on his work of salvation in the particular vocation as a priest.

What would you say to a young man considering a vocation to the priesthood? Remember God loves you very much! Enough to die for you! Are you willing to return that love? If so, say yes if God is calling you to be a priest. If God is calling you to be a married man, then return that love by being a good husband and father. But strongly consider a vocation to the priesthood because if God is truly calling you to be a priest and you say yes, you will find true happiness and peace in knowing that you are doing God’s will for you on earth. Remember, God knows you better then you know yourself. And don’t be afraid of weaknesses, for in weakness you can become strong.