Ryan Allen

Hello, my name is Ryan Allen. I grew up in Columbus, Nebraska, and my home parish is Saint Bonaventure. I am the son of Mike and Kim Allen, and I am the last of five kids. In my free time I like to play music, hang out with friends, read good books, and watch movies.

I have thought of the priesthood as an option since I was little, but I didn’t begin to deeply discern what God has in store until junior year of Highschool. My love of theology, altar serving, and giving speeches ensured many old ladies and classmates told me I would be a good priest, but I mostly brushed those comments off, until I attended a discernment retreat the summer before my senior year of high school. At this retreat, I encountered normal, admirable seminarians, the taste of the faith focused brotherhood they shared, and the pure joy of a life dedicated to God alone. I was so profoundly affected by this experience that I began pursuing seminary as soon as the retreat ended. After many meetings with my Rural Vocations Director, Father Zachary Tucker, I was given the application to Seminary and was accepted on May first, 2026.

I am currently at Saint Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward, Nebraska. While I am here, I hope to grow in knowledge, purity, and love of the Lord.

If a man is discerning priesthood, I would suggest that he should spend as much time as he can in eucharistic adoration, try to do his daily tasks well, and be open to the working of the Holy Spirit. Living life well now prepares you for your future vocation. The Lord will show you the path in His timing. The task for us all is to be ready to respond.

 

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.