Thomas Matya

Pastoral Internship
Kenrick-Glennon Seminary


Hello! I am Thomas Matya. I attend St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Gretna and I graduated from Gretna High School in 2016. I am the oldest of five children and have lived in Omaha my entire life.


I first thought of being a priest when I was younger, after receiving my First Communion. I used to “celebrate Mass” with my siblings using my little missal and crackers. Through middle school and my first two years of high school, I did not give much thought about being a priest. My pastor, Fr. Norman Hunke, planted the seeds when he suggested I think about being a priest when I was in seventh or eighth grade. I began to pray more deeply about becoming a priest as I entered my junior year of high school. I attended a day retreat with the seminarians of the Archdiocese and that introduced me the joy they experienced. I also attended a seminary visit to St. John Vianney Seminary that year. Going on the seminary visit helped answer many questions about what seminary would be like and it helped dispel many fears.


I said yes to entering seminary as God had removed all the obstacles to entering it. I am currently enrolled at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, but I am doing a pastoral internship at a parish in my diocese.


To any men considering the priesthood, pray for the grace to open yourself up to God’s will. He will never send you where His grace cannot sustain you. Frequent Confession as well as visiting the Blessed Sacrament will help you to be open to His grace.

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.