SEMINARIAN PROFILE: Shane Deman

April 10, 2008

This is the second in a series of profiles highlighting seminarians of the Diocese of Sioux City.

Name: Shane Deman
Home Parish: St. Michael Parish, Sioux City
Age: 27
Seminary: North American College
College: University of St. Thomas
Parents: Greg and Francine Deman
Siblings: Chris and Catie Deman
Hobbies: playing the piano, exercising, traveling

When did you start thinking about being a priest? I was encouraged to consider entering the seminary in high school, yet it wasn't until college that I seriously felt called to pursue a vocation. It was an easy transition into the St. John Vianney College Seminary as it is located at the University of St. Thomas where I was already enrolled as an undergraduate.

What were some church activities that you participated in prior to entering the seminary? Prior to entering the seminary I volunteered at my parish as an altar server and as an organist.

What is your favorite Scripture passage? I have always found Psalm 100 to be very inspiring.

How did you come to know Jesus? The faith was always practiced within our household while growing up and I was touched by the strong faith of my grandparents whose religious example was an inspiration to us all.

Who inspired your vocation to the priesthood? Pope John Paul II had an enormous influence on my discernment. The hope-filled and courageous faith he exhibited throughout his pontificate, especially during his international trips, caught my attention at an early age and invited me to seriously examine my own faith.

Did anyone invite you to consider a priestly vocation? Fr. Brian Hughes was the chaplain at Briar Cliff University where I occasionally played the organ for their campus liturgies throughout my high school years. He asked me to consider the seminary, as did Mr. Brendan Burchard of Bishop Heelan High School.

What spiritual events or activities helped you develop a relationship with Christ and the Catholic Church? I was touched by the sincerity of the faith lives of many of my college classmates. They often came from high schools where youth groups, mission trips, and volunteer projects were popular among students and they wanted to maintain these practices in college, which helped me to explore the faith more seriously while at St. Thomas.

How did you come to realize God's call to priesthood in your life? While some seminarians speak of a definitive moment in their lives where they heard a priestly calling, my discernment occurred over a long period of time. These years gave me a chance to reflect on the example of priests within my own life and how I wanted to continue to live out my faith.

Why is it important for you to follow the call? Everyone receives a vocation from the Lord, proper to their own pursuit of holiness. Following this call helps to further the mission of the Church and also leads one toward personal fulfillment through their life in Christ.

How did your family and friends react when you told them you were entering the seminary? While my family and friends were initially surprised, they and I grew equally throughout my discernment process in our understanding of the priesthood and seminary formation.

Why is the priesthood important? The priesthood is Christ's special gift to his church by which he is made present through the sacraments and the preaching of the Word of God. Through humble service and leadership, the Lord's priests work for the continued sanctification of God's People.

What advice would you give to a "man on the fence" about priesthood? Anyone thinking about the priesthood should seek the advice of a trusted priest and should consider the seminary. Entering the seminary doesn't mean that one has definitively decided to become a priest, but rather, that one has made himself available to discerning the will of God in a formation program.

What would people be surprised to know about you? Unsure