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Year for Priests: Reflecting on vocation, ministry

Name: Father Clem W. Currans

Birth date: Feb. 14, 1948

Hometown: Graettinger, Iowa

Education: St. Ellen Grade school, Emmetsburg Catholic High School 1966. Loras College, 1970. Seminary: American College, University of Louvain 1974 with Master in Theology.

Ordination: Immaculate Conception, Graettinger, July 13, 1974

Current assignment: Holy Family Parish, Emmetsburg

Hobbies/interests: Down hill snow skiing, bicycling, some golf, hunting pheasants, turkey and deer, and cooking wild game for family and friends.

Calling to Priesthood: I was encouraged by a couple of teachers and my Mom to think of priesthood. When I received a scholarship to Loras College, I decided to give college seminary a try. I was thinking of dropping out of seminary, but after death of my Dad I gave it more serious thought and decided to go on to major seminary. Finally before diaconate I was on a Retreat where I very convinced that God was calling me.

Inspiration: Fr. Mervin Hood’s lifestyle and ministry was a great inspiration for me as well as other priests I met in college and seminary.

Decision: I seemed to fit into the priestly lifestyle well so from that perspective it was easy, but I had a hard time discerning whether this was a calling from God. It took a retreat to finally convince me this is what God wanted of me.

What do I enjoy most about the priesthood? I enjoy the challenges that come daily in working with people and seeing how God is touching so many lives. I enjoy the opportunity of being able to be there as God’s instrument in the sacraments, especially reconciliation, anointing and the Eucharist.

Devotions and prayers that are meaningful: Reflecting on and praying the scriptures, and other inspirational reading. Saying the Mass, the breviary, Way of the Cross.

Why do you find priesthood to be a worthy vocation? Priesthood is a worthy vocation as I am able to see God touch so many lives and be apart of people’s lives at important times like baptism, reconciliation, sickness, death, and marriage, I would advice a young person thinking of religious life that it can be difficult but rewarding. Take time to visit with a priest they are comfortable with about it.