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Year for Priests: Reflecting on vocation, ministry

Name: Father Douglas M. Klein

Birth date including year: October 31, 1964

Hometown: St. Anthony Church, Hospers

Education: High School – Spalding Catholic Schools 1983; Creighton University BA Sociology 1987; Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium. STB Theology 1996; Creighton University – Certificate in Christian Spirituality 2004.

Ordination date: Cathedral of the Epiphany, July 6, 1996

Current assignment: Pastor: Sacred Heart, Alvord; Christ the King Sioux Center; St. Mary, Rock Valley.

Hobbies/interests: Skiing – x-country and downhill; biking; canoeing/kayak; hiking/camping; traveling

Describe your call to priesthood. Looking back I can see clearly that the call to priesthood was there all the time. However it was not so clear to me as I was growing up and deciding what I wanted to do with my life. Fortunately I continued to be open to God’s direction and the steps I took continued to lead me on the path towards priesthood. Finally I decided to go to seminary and it provided the opportunity for final discernment of my vocation.

Did anyone or anything provide you with inspiration to follow the call to priesthood? High School Search retreats and other youth programs in our diocese helped me to grow in my faith. I became involved in Christian Service activities in college and that convinced me that I wanted to continue to serve God’s people in some way. I also was inspired by the good examples of priesthood I encountered in our diocese, through the Jesuits and Glenmary Home Missioners. Most of all the influence of my parents and their example of faith led me to seek out God’s call for my life and they have always encouraged in my vocation to the priesthood.

Was it a difficult decision to make? Yes and no. At first I was afraid to consider the priesthood because it was not popular and I thought I wanted to have a family. I was never absolutely sure that this was for me but God provided stepping-stones to lead me to this vocation.

What do you enjoy most about being a priest? I appreciate the joy and honor of sharing important moments of people’s lives. I love celebrating the Eucharist and the challenge of preaching the Gospel. I enjoy the great variety of tasks within my ministry and the many wonderful people that I have come to know as a result.

Are there any particular devotions or prayers that are dear to your heart? The Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours serve as the backbone of my prayer life. The Blessed Mother is important to me and I pray the rosary daily. I also am drawn to God through meditating on the beauty and wonder of creation.

Why do you find priesthood to be a worthy vocation? It is made worthy by the power of Christ present in me and working through me especially in ministering the sacraments. This is a wonderful and awesome experience. It is also worthy to help form and lead a faith community. The faithfulness of our people and their support makes this possible.

What would you say to a young man considering a vocation to the priesthood? Give it a try! What do you have to lose? The priesthood is an exciting and fulfilling life if that is what God is calling you to, so what else would you want to do? If God calls you in another direction your time in seminary will not be wasted but will help you be a better person in whatever you decide to do.