Sean Boyd

My name is Sean Boyd, I was born and raised here, in Omaha, Nebraska, and my home parish is St. Wenceslaus. I am the second out of four kids, and was raised by my wonderful parents, Jeff and Denise Boyd. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, playing and watching sports, music, theater, and being outside.

I never considered discerning the priesthood until my junior year of high school. During that time, I encountered God’s love for me in a much deeper way and began going to daily mass and adoration as often as possible throughout the rest of high school. I began sharing my faith with others and helping others grow in relationship with our loving Father. As I grew in my faith and deepened my relationship with Christ, I fell deeply in love with God, and the thought of the priesthood just wouldn’t go away. I was very hesitant to pursue discerning the priesthood, but slowly God showed me that I could trust him and that His plan for my life is better than I could imagine. Through continued prayer and discernment, I realized that He was inviting me to take the next step in joining seminary. Trusting in His goodness I applied to become a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Omaha. I am now at St. John Vianney Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, where I hope to learn well, grow in faith and love, and discern God’s will for my life.

My advice to those considering seminary is to go to Eucharistic Adoration often, stay close to our Blessed Mother, and trust that your loving Father will never lead you astray.

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.