I was raised in a great Catholic household with three older siblings. My family was very involved in our parish community, St. Wenceslaus, in Omaha. I followed my siblings through grade, middle, and eventually to Skutt Catholic High School, where I made some amazing and intentional friendships. I also met a seminarian who led my group of friends in Lectio Divina and other faith-sharing activities during his pastoral year. Through this experience at Skutt, I came to understand my faith. I saw how its teachings matched my personal experience, and I knew that I had to dive in headfirst. I prayed that my experience at the St. John Paul II Newman Center at the University of Nebraska-Omaha would be fertile ground for me to do so, and fertile it was.
When I got to the Newman Center, I again encountered some amazing individuals who taught me how to dialogue about abortion, play Spikeball, and, most importantly, discern my vocation. I fell in love with the liturgy at the Newman Center and devoted many hours to serving Masses and simply wasting time with God in the chapel. After two profound years at the Newman Center, I discerned the call to seminary through God’s grace and further discernment of a priestly vocation!
I am entering the Saint John Vianney Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, and particularly looking forward to the content of my classes. I know they will be edifying and truth-filled.
I recommend everyone focus and pray on the two questions of identity St. Francis asks, “Who are You, Lord God?” and “Who am I?” These two questions have been vital to my discernment but are vital for every Catholic to know who we should be rooted in. I want to thank the Archdiocese of Omaha for being a vessel for God’s work in my life through education and the opportunity to receive the sacraments daily. I also want to thank you all for your prayers and continued support of 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.
