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Max Brown

My name is Max Brown, I was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. I’m currently a parishioner at St. Philip Neri-Blessed Sacrament Parish, but I consider St. Francis Borgia in Blair, Nebraska, my adopted parish. I grew up as the youngest of three children, and was raised by my parents, Brad and Mary Kay Brown. I enjoy hiking, fishing, and tending to my garden, where I find peace in the outdoors.

I first sensed God’s call during my later years at Creighton Prep, a Jesuit high school in Omaha. There, I was blessed with numerous retreats and opportunities to deepen my faith. However, I initially brushed this call aside, choosing to pursue other paths. After high school, I moved to central South Dakota to work for an agronomist. During this time, I was exposed to a high concentration of undiluted Roundup. The effects didn’t surface until about a year later, while in college. I then became seriously ill and tried to push through by myself, but after a year and a half, I had to return home to Omaha, where my parents lined up various medical treatments for me.

Through this challenging time, I eventually fell deeply in love with God and experienced a profound conversion back to Catholicism. I’m confident that our Blessed Mother and St. Padre Pio played significant roles in guiding me back to Christ and His Church, and I’m immensely grateful for their intercessions. 

About two years ago, I went and talked with the vocation director Fr. Scott Schilmoeller, naively thinking that I would learn about the priesthood and quickly check the box that God wasn’t calling me to this vocation. The more I prayed and listened to where God was leading me, I knew I had to give the seminary a chance. This fall, I’ll be attending St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward, Nebraska, where I’m eager to embrace the fellowship and further discern God’s call during the Propaedeutic stage.

To anyone discerning the priesthood, I’d offer this advice: lean into your prayer life, frequent the sacraments, and engage fully with your Catholic community.

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.