Joseph Sund

Theology I
Kenrick-Glennon Seminary

My name is Joseph Sund. My home parish is St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in northwest Omaha. I am the youngest of four of Jerome and Mary Jo Sund. I graduated from Omaha Northwest in 2005 and began studies at the University of Nebraska Omaha majoring in Management of Information Systems for five semesters. In the Fall of 2008 I entered seminary at Conception and graduated in May of 2011. I am currently studying Theology at Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis.

I began to hear God's call to discern the priesthood near the end of my first year of college, in which I attended a TEC retreat and found a great comfort in prayer and relationship with Christ. After that retreat, my faith was reignited and I began attending Mass regularly and soon began frequent adoration and attendance of daily Mass. Around this time I was invited to begin working as a volunteer in youth ministry at St. Elizabeth Ann. There I witnessed a great and strong faith amongst the teens, which enlivened my faith all the more. This was a great source of deepening of my prayer life, in which I frequently was encountering Christ's gentle guidance. Around Christmas of 2007, I was praying in the chapel at St Elizabeth Ann and received the invitation of Christ with a great joy and consolation. Shortly after I contacted my parish priest and then began the application process.

I started seminary with much worry. I did not know what to expect. At Conception I found a great fraternity, where I was able to trust the men I was studying with for a common cause. I spent three years at Conception. During this time I studied Philosophy, which I ended up enjoying much more than expected. I received great spiritual direction to deepen my relationship with Christ, and also received formation to help me become a well rounded Catholic gentleman. During the summers and breaks I was able to continue to stay active volunteering in youth ministry for my parish and in the Archdiocese, as well as working various summer assignments.

If you believe Christ is calling you to discern the priesthood, my advice is to be not afraid. Our Lord does not call us to something he will not provide for. The attendance of daily Mass and a devotion to prayer are essential to discerning God's call. Do not be afraid to talk to your Pastor or Fr. Hoesing about the Priesthood.