By Nick Biever
Special to The Message
2nd Philosophy, St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology
Home parish: Annunciation Parish
Growing up, my family gave me a good Catholic education. My sister married into another great Catholic family from Haubstadt, so I now have two nephews.
I first heard a call and considered the priesthood when I was in college studying Computer Information Systems at the University of Southern Indiana. After completing the degree and a year of seminary, I left seminary to work in IT and pursue married and family life. I ended up finding my overarching calling to the priesthood while I was working in IT in Ferdinand.
In high school, I was a 10-year 4H member, in the Tech Club and Junior Leaders. In college, I involved myself with the USI Newman Center, which helped my prayer life immensely, and ended up with a USI and UE Newman Center early morning daily Mass group at St. Ben's.
I finally decided to go to seminary when my discernment into priesthood could no longer continue without joining the seminary.
When I got to seminary, it was a very humbling experience coming from an IT working world. I've really enjoyed the overall formation as we learn to be the best people we can be.
The first time someone told me that they thought I would make a good priest was, probably, when I was around 4-years-old wearing a priest costume (a cassock) ready to combat the evil in the world.
The most helpful thing you can do to encourage vocations is to be a good Christian and Catholic towards all people but especially towards young people finding their ways in the world.