Sam Wiegand

Hi, everyone, my name is Sam Wiegand!

I was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. My home parish and grade school is St. Wenceslaus; I went to Skutt Catholic High School, followed by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln studying Political Science with the plan to go to law school, until God had other plans. After having numerous powerful encounters with our Lord in Eucharistic adoration, having a supportive fraternity in college, and radical relationships with FOCUS missionaries I became a FOCUS missionary in May 2021.  I spent four years as a missionary at the University of South Dakota. Having seen the Lord work in countless students’ lives on mission, I saw the Lord had been continuing to act in my life. After a powerful moment on retreat, it became clear I needed to discern the priesthood in a serious way by going to seminary.

This fall, I’ll be entering the propaedeutic year at St. Paul Sminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. I’m excited to enter into this next step on the adventure with Christ!

I enjoy playing games with friends, making people laugh, trying new foods, and getting to know people!

My advice to anyone possibly discerning a religious vocation is simple: stay close to Jesus! Make time for Him, in the big ways like retreats or mission trips, as well as the more regular ways like silent prayer, regular reception of the sacraments. Don’t do it alone!

I ask for your prayers for me in this time of discernment and know of my prayers for the entirety of the Archdiocese of Omaha.

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.