Patrick Nields

Pre-Theology II
Kenrick-Glennon Seminary

Greetings! My name is Patrick Nields. I am grateful to be a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Omaha. My home parish is St. Philip Neri Church in Omaha. I grew up in Omaha, in the Florence area. My high school years were at Creighton Preparatory High School. I enjoyed my four years at Creighton Prep and admired the Jesuits I got to know at Prep. After high school, I attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Later, I attended Creighton University School of Law and obtained a law degree. After studying, studying and more studying I took the Nebraska Bar Exam. Fortunately I passed and a little while later began working at a law firm in Omaha. The law exposed and educated me to various aspects of life which I hope will assist me if God’s will is ultimately for me to be a priest.

As I have gained life experiences, I have come to realize I truly need to seek whether my vocation or “calling” is to the priesthood. I believe I would take great joy in helping people to come closer to God and to be part of the ultimate mission to save souls. My hope is that the seminary will help me discern the "call" and deepen my relationship with Christ to help me to serve Him in the best way I can.

I am at the Pre-Theology 1 stage and my seminary studies are at Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. At the Pre-Theology 1 stage a seminarian has a college degree but needs a foundation in philosophy before beginning formal theology studies.

I am truly grateful to have the opportunity to explore this path in the seminary. If you think your vocation and calling may be to the priesthood, I encourage you to contact Father Hoesing, Director of Vocations. You can certainly contact me as well. My recommendation is to explore this option now, do not wait! At a minimum it will be an opportunity to come closer to God and could confirm that indeed God seeks your service as a priest.