Deacons William Duffert and Josh Salonek joined “Practicing Catholic” host Patrick Conley for an episode that aired on Relevant Radio May 21-23 about their ordination to the priesthood, set for May 29. Conley asked the deacons a variety of questions to help listeners get to know them.
In the interview, which remains accessible on the internet, Conley asked the deacons when they first started to sense that the Lord might be calling them to the priesthood.
Deacon William Duffert
Deacon Duffert recalled his junior year in college. “I was approaching graduation and I just didn’t know what the Lord wanted for me,” he said. “I remember I started going to the on-campus chapel and just sitting in silence and praying. And that was really when I first noticed that quiet stirring in my heart that made me ask the question, ‘Is God calling me to discern the priesthood?’”
Deacon Salonek said the first time he got that sense was in 2006 as a youth attending Extreme Faith Camp. “It was during that time that I had an encounter with Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and, from there, that really took off and into a real relationship with him.”
He also recalled other men from his parish who went before him, including Father Paul Shovelain and Father Andrew Zipp. He said seeing them live their lives and pursue the priesthood made it easier for him to figure out that perhaps God was calling him.
Conley also asked both men about what they enjoy doing in their spare time, and if they fear they won’t be able to have the time to do it anymore.
Deacon Salonek said his hobbies include card games and board games. “I used to play a lot of ultimate Frisbee when I was in minor seminary,” he said. But he might not have much time for that in the future, the deacon said.
Deacon Josh Salonek
Card games including 500 and Hearts might still be on the table, Deacon Salonek said, but perhaps not as often as during seminary.
Deacon Duffert said he enjoys the fun and stress relief of running. Music has always been a source of fun for him, too, such as playing bass guitar, and “a source of great fraternity as well.”
“A fellow bassist,” Conley said.
“We’ll have to jam sometime, Patrick,” Deacon Duffert replied. “We’ll find a drummer somewhere.”
Deacon Duffert said he hopes he can still lean into those activities as a source of great fruit in his life.
During the interview, Conley asked both ordinands several other questions, including what is going on in their heart and mind as they are so close to ordination. To learn how they answered that question and others, listen to this episode of the “Practicing Catholic” radio show. Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes interviews with Father Joseph Taphorn, rector and vice president of the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity, who gives insight into priestly formation, and two other ordinands, Deacons James Bernard and Michael Reinhardt, who also answer get-to-know-you questions from Conley.
Listen to all of the interviews after they have aired at:
soundcloud.com/PracticingCatholic
tinyurl.com/PracticingCatholic?(Spotify)
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