Brian Hula

Configuration IV
Kenrick-Glennon Seminary

I am from Bellevue. My home parish is St. Peter in Omaha. I was blessed to have great formation in my faith in high school through good youth groups and serving Mass. I wanted to grow in my relationship with God, and because of this I tried to be open to whatever God was asking from me, even potentially the call to be with and serve God in a radical way as a priest. It became clear that discerning in seminary would help me grow in confidence and clarity about where God wanted me to be. So, I transferred into college seminary at Conception Seminary. I grew a lot there and there were so many great moments of prayer and community, even if there were tough times as well. At the end of college seminary, I did not feel ready to go onto further studies in seminary so I left formation and took some more college classes. But I was open to coming back if God gave me more joy and peace about moving towards the priesthood, which he did in fact give me! I am currently at Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis, in theology. It is a beautiful campus, and I love the warmth and care that all the seminarians show to each other.


For any young man who feels like God might be calling him to discern a vocation as a priest, I would simply say- don’t “stress out” about “figuring out” your vocation. Rather, fall in love with God and spend time with him just for the sake of being close to Him and allowing Him to love you. If you are living in Him in this way, He will give you more clarity at the right time, in the right way. I love being active, whether that be in outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and backpacking, or sports like basketball, volleyball, and disc golf. I also enjoy playing my accordion and reading good literature, especially anything by Dostoyevsky, Chesterton, or Flannery O’Connor.

RETURN TO SEMINARIANS

Hey! I’m Zach Eischeid. I grew up in Elgin, Nebraska and belong to the Saint Boniface Parish. I attended Saint Boniface Elementary and graduated from Pope John XXIII Central Catholic High School. Saint Boniface Parish is a great place to learn about the Faith with our schools and to see so many parishioners helping each other and our parish in a myriad of ways.

My discernment has been around for as long as I can remember. Since I was a toddler, the priesthood always amazed me. However, around junior high, I kept pushing it to the back of my mind because I didn’t want to be labeled as that “extra-religious guy.” After graduating, I decided to attend Benedictine College to major in Theology. Towards the end of my first year at Benedictine, while at my sister’s wedding dance, I oddly had a strong feeling about seminary. A month later, I attended the priest ordination while teaching Totus Tuus, and started weeping during the procession in the cathedral. This sign was big encouragement in finally giving my future in God’s hands. I am currently at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis and have made many fraternal friendships, as we are all on the same journey of striving to be what God wants us to be.

For all those with even an inkling about entering seminary, I encourage you to be open to it. Pray about it, frequent the sacraments, and remember: “You were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness.” And remember, every priest and seminarian has gone through what you are going through.

In my down time, I like playing any sport, especially basketball and baseball, jamming on the ukulele, listening to Christian rap, watching Nebraska football, and combating heresy.