Bill Cremers

College I
Conception Seminary

Hello everyone! I am Bill Cremers from St. Anthony's parish in Columbus, NE. I grew up in Columbus and attended St. Anthony's Elementary School and Scotus Central Catholic High School, graduating in 2011. One of my great-grandfathers was one of the original founders of St. Anthony's, and this wonderful parish will be celebrating 100 years in 2013.

I grew up going to Mass every Sunday and learning about my faith, but I did not truly dive into God's love for the Church until I attended JC Camp before my freshman year. I had many questions about truth throughout junior high, but the camp began a process of discovery that will continue for eternity. This four-day retreat opened my eyes to what God was doing in my life, and I would go back as a junior counselor the next four years.

People always said I would be a good priest, but I never paid attention to the call until my second JC Camp. There, I had a feeling that God was calling me to say "yes" to something, but I was afraid it could be the priesthood and pushed the thought away. This feeling happened my next year at the retreat and made me even more fearful, but then I went to a Steubenville youth conference in Springfield, MO, a few weeks afterward and encountered something beautiful. Seeing the procession of thirty priests awakened something in me, and I responded to the vocations call at the end of the conference.

Another crucial event in my discernment was my visit to Conception Seminary College in Missouri in April 2010. This event made entering the seminary right after high school a real possibility, and the peace, community, and prayerful environment of the school appealed to me. Now I am truly at ease and know God wants me here at Conception, and where I go in the future is up to Him.

In my spare time, I enjoy listening to music, playing guitar and drums, reading, surfing the Web, spending time with friends and family, and praying.

To those considering attending seminary, I ask that you place your concerns completely in God's hands. Pray, "Lord, help me to want to do what You want me to do." Go on retreats and seminary visits to see what this awesome environment is like, and talk over your concerns with a spiritual director.

Please pray for me as I embark on this journey, and may God bless you abundantly!