Home Parish: St. Joseph Parish in Jasper
Anticipated Ordination Year: Class of 2030
Parents: Father and stepmother: Doug and Julie Freyberger; mother: Pam Freyberger
Brothers: Kyle and Nathan; stepsister: Maria Dodson
I started discerning priesthood while I was working for a general contractor in Indianapolis as a project manager. I was unfulfilled and restless in the work I was doing, which I had chosen on my own terms without really praying about it, and I surrendered to God, opening my heart to discernment of the priesthood. Shortly after this point, my dad told my older brother he thought I might be called to the priesthood. My brother, in turn, told me what my dad had said and echoed support himself. It meant so much for my dad and older brother to see the call in me early in my discernment and help give the conviction to move forward. I was somewhat surprised by my dad’s support because I thought he had wanted me to get married and have a family. He has continued to be supportive, and I have also seen him grow in his faith as I move along in my discernment.
In the early stages of my discernment, it was easy to second guess myself or tell myself I wasn’t enough or was unworthy of being a priest because of my weakness and sinfulness. Without the support of my dad and older brother, the flame may have died for my discernment, and I might not have become a seminarian.
If you know someone who is or might be discerning priesthood, tell them that you can see it in them. Be a voice that helps give confidence to the call.