Caleb Ridder

Hello, my name is Caleb Ridder and I grew up on a farm outside of West Point, Nebraska. St. Mary’s in West Point is my home parish. My parents are Matt and Erin Ridder. I am the oldest of nine siblings, with six younger sisters and two younger brothers.

I first felt the call to the priesthood in my sophomore year of high school. I explored it a little but mostly pushed that call to the side. I attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha for a year and felt that the Lord was calling me somewhere else. The John Paul II Newman Center strengthened my faith and helped me to open myself to God’s call through daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and assisting at Mass through altar serving. I then applied and was accepted as a seminarian.

My advice to anyone discerning the call to priesthood is that your relationship with the Lord and the Blessed Virgin Mary comes first. This relationship is fostered especially during Eucharistic Adoration and frequent reception of the Holy Eucharist.

 

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.