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Staff Sergeant Colton Sabala is at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Boise. (Courtesy photos/Colton Sabala) By Emily Woodham Staff Writer Staff Sgt. Colton Sabala spent six years away from the Christian faith. “From the time I was 20 until I was 26, I wasn’t really anything,” he said. “I call it my ‘Jonah experience.’ I was totally swallowed by the whale. I was telling Christ, ‘I don’t want you. I’m doing good without you,’ but God had different plans for me.” Colton was born and raised in Twin Falls. His family attended a Baptist church until he was 6, when they switched to an evangelical, nondenominational church. He continued in his faith through high school. On Jan. 3, 2012 he enlisted in the Army National Guard. “Of my choices I wanted to specialize in, they told me I had to choose chaplain assistant or something else,” Colton recalled. “They told me that a chaplain assistant was essentially a bodyguard of the chaplain, and I’d do all kinds of exciting security detail work like the Secret Service. It turned out that you’re only a bodyguard in heavy combat zones.” He then added with a chuckle, “I’ve done none of that in terms of being ‘a bodyguard.’ In all reality, it’s been a ton of real-world ministry in the community and organizations. It’s been good, and fruitful even during my estrangement. The Chaplain Corps gave me a sense of belonging when I felt like I had little to grasp onto.” About two years into his service with the National Guard, his church faced a scandal. “It was pretty cataclysmic, and I lost my faith,” he said. “I was putting my faith in the people of the church instead of in Christ.” As a result, Colton felt completely lost and betrayed. He found it hard, or nearly impossible, to put his faith into anything more than secular science. During the time of his estrangement, he faced many challenges, including social acceptance, identity, substance abuse and grief. People close to Colton often reiterated to him that his personal journey that led him to estrangement was so close to the story of Jonah. He was closer to God than he realized, and all the while his testimony was bringing others to Christ. No matter how far Colton thought he had distanced himself from God and the church, he had always felt comfort in St. Edward Catholic Church in Twin Falls. There was a spiritual calm that came over him when he was near St. Edward’s. One encounter truly scared him. While scrolling through his phone, he found a video of himself praying fervently to Christ and singing worship songs outside a parish. What troubled him most was that he had no memory of recording it or how it ended up on his phone. Colton is with Father Germán Osorio, rector at the Cathedral. (Courtesy photos/Colton Sabala) Despite unbelief, he continued as a chaplain assistant. It was the only line of work at which he felt he was good. It provided him comfort as he helped the soldiers of the units he served. He felt convicted to help others find what was important to them. Toward the end of 2017, before his second deployment to the Middle East, his first sergeant had an honest conversation with him that would later be the catalyst for his conversion. Colton recalled, “He said he was concerned about me. I asked him, ‘Why?’ I did what I was told to do, I loved my job and supported the soldiers. I gave the soldiers whatever they needed without question, and this was the only thing that gave me gratification and peace of mind. But my first sergeant said, ‘Yeah, but you’re not doing anything for yourself. If this job is your true passion, I’d like to see you be more religious or spiritual.’ It seemed like an oxymoron that I was working in the Chaplain Corps at that very moment.” Colton was very taken aback by what his first sergeant had bluntly told him. “It really bothered me for a long time. Whether I realized it or not, that was the whale spitting me out, so to speak, and it wasn’t a nice landing; most people would land on their rear end, but I landed straight on my neck. I had to ask myself why I was bothered so much by what he said and if I truly belonged working in ministry.” He had more than a year to think about it while in the Middle East. This was where God truly started to work in his life. Being so far from home, he began to discover the true person God had created him to be. Colton realized it was exhausting living as an agnostic. “In my estrangement from God, I had to learn a lot about religion to defend my agnostic beliefs,” he said. In July 2020, when he began working full time at Gowen Field in Boise, he began to humble himself to God’s plan. “I began dabbling in Christianity, but I wasn’t sure if it was going to stick.” Two years later, the Chaplain Corps conducted baptism training at Hidden Lake near McCall. “My state chaplain is a father figure to me, and he was a real thorn in my side about needing to be a better guy,” Colton said. He felt the urge to be baptized and knew that he could no longer distance himself from Christ, but he wasn’t sure where to go next. “I had such a bad experience in the church I went to when I was 19 that I knew I didn’t want to go back to a non-denominational church. I just wanted a relationship with Christ.” However, he found it difficult to live out his new Christian faith. “I knew I needed community and accountability, but I didn’t know where I could place my trust. I told God that He really needed to help me out. I asked Him to give me three signs so that I would know what to do. I received way more than three, and fast.” Of the many signs that God gave Colton, these were the most profound: after praying for God’s help, one of the first signs was realizing how often he felt compelled to go to St. Edward Church for comfort. Another sign was through Father Germán Osorio, rector of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Boise. He was also a chaplain at Gowen Field. One of their in-depth conversations revealed two signs: a coincidental conversation about hypocrites, which ended up being the liturgy for the very next day’s weekday Mass. Also discovering that he had seen Father Osorio as a young seminarian at St. Edward’s when Colton was growing up in Twin Falls. near St. Edward Church and often The most powerful sign came during a foot-washing ceremony he took part in with the Chaplain Corps during the summer of 2025. A chaplain candidate, with whom he had grown close and who was Catholic, washed his feet. “I was raised that strong men don’t cry, and I tried my best not to cry. But the ceremony was just so powerful. I couldn’t help it. I thought, ‘OK, God, You are really pushing this Catholic thing.’” For a second time, he felt the Holy Spirit flow directly through him, from the bottom of his feet to the hairs on his head. At that moment it was clear to him that he needed to become something larger than himself, and after more than a half-decade of praying, he chose to pursue the Catholic faith. Colton began OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) classes in October 2025 with Father Osorio. He received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist from Bishop Peter Christensen at the Cathedral this year during the Easter Vigil. “I have felt so welcomed by the Catholic Church, and I am so grateful that I can receive the Eucharist. I am home.” His favorite Catholic devotion is the rosary. “I learned the mysteries by heart in the first few days of being a catechumen,” he said. “I carry a rosary with me everywhere and pray it every day; sometimes multiple times a day.” In gratitude for the Catholics in the military who helped inspire him on his journey, he ordered rosary kits for soldiers from Combat Rosaries for Heroes, a Wisconsin-based Catholic nonprofit organization founded by Father Richard Heilman. He hoped to revitalize the Catholic community among his ranks and promoting his devotion to God and the rosary. “I just really appreciate Father Osorio and everyone who has been a part of the process and made an impact on my life, and I credit all things in my life to our Lord Jesus Christ. He is risen,” Colton said.

Father Caleb Vogel, vicar general for the Diocese of Boise, blesses Cathleen Wonacott and Tyler Tackett during their marriage vows. (Courtesy photo/Starr Photo & Video) By Marco Roman, PhD Director of Communications “The two sacraments, Holy Orders and Matrimony, are directed towards the salvation of others; if they contribute as well to personal salvation, it is through service to others that they do so. They confer a particular mission in the Church and serve to build up the People of God.” (CCC 1534) The Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church describe Holy Orders and Matrimony as the two sacraments “at the service of communion and mission.” This description is profoundly important for understanding both the life of the Church and many of the spiritual and cultural battles we face today. These sacraments are not merely private realities or personal lifestyle choices. They are sacramental vocations given by God for the building up of the Body of Christ, the sanctification of souls and the mission of evangelization. Dr. Marco Roman For this reason, it should not surprise us that these two sacraments have become particular targets of confusion, dissent and ideological pressure in our own age. Whenever God establishes something beautiful, life-giving and ordered toward truth, the “father of lies” (Jn 8:44) seeks to distort it. From the beginning, the evil one has attempted to undermine God’s design for human life, marriage, sexuality, family and the sacramental life of the Church. What we are witnessing today is not simply a disagreement over policy or practice, but a deeper spiritual struggle over the meaning of the human person, the nature of Divine Revelation and the authority of Christ and His Church. The Church teaches clearly and definitively that Holy Orders is reserved to baptized men. This teaching is not based on cultural prejudice, discrimination or historical limitation, but on the example and will of Christ Himself. Jesus freely chose twelve men as His Apostles, even while elevating the dignity of women in ways radically countercultural for His time. The Church has always understood herself as bound by the example and intention of Christ. As St. John Paul II taught in Ordinatio Sacerdotalis, “the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women.” This teaching belongs to the constant and universal tradition of the Church and cannot be changed. Likewise, the Church teaches that Matrimony is the lifelong covenant between one man and one woman ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of children. This is not merely a religious custom or ecclesiastical rule. Marriage is rooted in creation itself. “Male and female He created them” (Gen 1:27). The complementarity of man and woman reflects God’s design and reveals something sacred about love, communion, fruitfulness and the covenant between Christ and His Church. In recent years, many voices both outside and within the Church have argued that true inclusion, compassion or welcome requires changing the Church’s teachings regarding same-sex unions, human sexuality or the nature of ordained ministry. Yet authentic charity can never be separated from truth. To alter the perennial teachings of the Church in order to conform to prevailing cultural ideologies would not be an act of mercy, but a departure from the Gospel entrusted to the Church by Christ Himself. Too often today, fidelity to Church teaching is portrayed as harsh, rigid or lacking compassion. Yet the opposite is true. Clarity is charity. Love demands truth. Jesus Himself proclaimed difficult teachings not to condemn, but to save. The Church cannot abandon Divine Revelation in order to gain cultural approval. She is called instead to proclaim the truth with courage, humility, patience and genuine pastoral love. The attack upon these two sacraments ultimately strikes at the heart of communion and mission within the Church. If Holy Orders is redefined according to modern ideological categories, the Church’s sacramental understanding of the priest acting in persona Christi Capitis becomes obscured. If Matrimony is redefined apart from God’s design, the family — the domestic church and foundational cell of society — is weakened. In both cases, the unity of the Church suffers, confusion spreads among the faithful and the Church’s mission to evangelize is hindered. Holy Orders and Matrimony are not isolated teachings disconnected from the Gospel. They are part of the Church’s sacramental vision of salvation history and reveal God’s plan for humanity. Priests are called to embody sacramentally Christ the Priest, Prophet and King in service to His people through preaching, sanctifying, shepherding, sacrifice and pastoral charity. Husbands and wives are called to reflect the faithful, fruitful and sacrificial love of Christ and His Church. Both vocations are ordered toward communion, holiness and mission. Our world desperately needs the witness of faithful priests, holy marriages, strong families and courageous disciples who are willing to stand firmly within the truth handed down by Christ and safeguarded by His Church. This is not a time for silence, ambiguity or surrender to cultural pressure. It is a time for clarity, conviction and renewed confidence in the wisdom of God’s plan. This confidence in God’s design has been echoed recently by Pope Leo XIV during his apostolic journey to Spain. Speaking to young people, the Holy Father encouraged them not to succumb to the fears and uncertainties of contemporary culture, reminding them: “Marriage is also a vocation. Do not be afraid of marriage or of forming a family.” In a world increasingly tempted to view marriage and family life as burdens or merely social constructs, Pope Leo pointed instead to their beauty and missionary significance. His words serve as a timely reminder that strong families built upon the foundation of marriage between one man and one woman remain the cradle of faith, the first school of love and virtue, and an indispensable foundation for the life, communion and mission of the Church and society. Indeed, the future of both the Church and civilization depends in no small measure upon strong families rooted in the covenant of Matrimony and open to the gift of life and the faithful transmission of the Gospel to future generations. All Catholics are called to bear witness courageously to the truth of the Gospel, but this responsibility rests in a particular way upon those entrusted with teaching, catechesis, pastoral ministry, theological formation and leadership within the life of the Church. Now is not the time for fear, silence, ambiguity or reluctance regarding the Church’s perennial teachings on Holy Orders, Matrimony and human sexuality. Rather, the Church needs joyful, faithful and confident voices willing to proclaim clearly the wisdom and beauty of God’s plan with both conviction and authentic compassion. Those entrusted with the sacred responsibility of teaching in the name of the Church must do so in communion with the Church. Charity and pastoral sensitivity can never be separated from fidelity to the truth. At times, genuine fraternal correction may also be necessary within the life of the Church when half-truths and outright dissent cause confusion, mislead the faithful or foster division within the Body of Christ and the unity of the Church. Those who have accepted the vocation to teach on behalf of the Church should prayerfully and honestly seek to conform both mind and heart to the teachings entrusted to the Church by Christ Himself. If one finds oneself unable to teach these truths faithfully and clearly, integrity and ecclesial communion may require stepping away from such a sacred responsibility rather than contributing to confusion regarding teachings that belong to the Deposit of Faith and the unity of the Church. Christ Himself reminds us, “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much” (Lk 12:48), a sobering reminder that those entrusted with teaching the faith carry a sacred responsibility before God and will one day be called to give an account for whether they fulfilled that vocation with fidelity, courage, clarity and love. At the same time, the Church always extends her invitation with love and hope. Every person is loved by God and called to conversion, holiness and communion with Christ. The Church welcomes all people not by abandoning truth, but by leading souls toward the freedom that comes from living in the truth revealed by Jesus Christ. As Catholics, all of us are called to examine our hearts and minds carefully. Before dismissing or undermining the perennial teachings of the Church regarding Holy Orders, Matrimony and human sexuality, we should ask ourselves an honest question: Do we trust the wisdom of God more than the changing ideologies of the age? Christ promised that the Holy Spirit would guide His Church into all truth (Jn 16:13). That promise remains true today. Now more than ever, the Church must proclaim clearly, courageously and joyfully the beauty of God’s unchanging plan. For when communion is protected, mission flourishes. And when truth is proclaimed in love, the world encounters not oppression, but the saving freedom of Jesus Christ.

Diocese of Boise In thanksgiving to Almighty God for the witness and holiness of Saint Francis of Assisi, and mindful of the observance of the Year of Saint Francis commemorating the eight-hundredth anniversary of his death; Recognizing the spiritual benefits that arise from pilgrimage, prayer, participation in the Sacred Liturgy, Eucharistic devotion, and the reception of the Sacraments; Desiring to provide the faithful of the Diocese of Boise with a designated place of pilgrimage during the Year of Saint Francis and to foster devotion to Our Lord in the Most Holy Eucharist through the witness and ministry of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist; Therefore, by virtue of my office as Bishop of Boise and in accord with the norms of canon law, I hereby decree the following: Article I The chapel and grounds of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist Community in Pocatello, Idaho, are hereby designated as an Official Pilgrimage Site for the Year of Saint Francis in the Diocese of Boise. Article II The Christian faithful are encouraged to visit this pilgrimage site throughout the Year of Saint Francis for prayer, participation in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, meditation upon Sacred Scripture, reception of the Sacrament of Penance, and devotion inspired by the life and example of Saint Francis. Article III Pastors, chaplains, schools, religious communities, and other ecclesial organizations within the Diocese are encouraged to organize pilgrimages to this site during the Year of Saint Francis so that the faithful may grow in holiness and deepen their communion with Christ and His Church. Article IV Pilgrims are encouraged to offer prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father, for the needs of the universal Church, for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, and for the people and ministries of the Diocese of Boise. Article V The Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist Community shall collaborate with the Diocese of Boise in providing opportunities for prayer, catechesis, and spiritual enrichment so that pilgrims may receive abundant spiritual fruit from their pilgrimage. Article VI This designation shall take effect on July 1st, 2026 and shall remain in force for the duration of the Year of Saint Francis, concluding on January 10th, 2027, unless otherwise extended or modified by the Bishop of Boise. All things to the contrary notwithstanding. Given at the Chancery of the Diocese of Boise on this 12th day of June, in the Year of Our Lord 2026.

Diócesis de Boise En acción de gracias a Dios Todopoderoso por el testimonio y la santidad de San Francisco de Asís, y teniendo presente la celebración del Año de San Francisco, que conmemora el octavo centenario de su muerte; Reconociendo los beneficios espirituales que se derivan de la peregrinación, la oración, la participación en la Sagrada Liturgia, la devoción eucarística y la recepción de los sacramentos; Con el deseo de ofrecer a los fieles de la Diócesis de Boise un lugar específico de peregrinación durante el Año de San Francisco y de fomentar la devoción a Nuestro Señor en la Santísima Eucaristía a través del testimonio y el ministerio de las Hermanas Franciscanas de la Eucaristía; Por lo tanto, en virtud de mi cargo como obispo de Boise y de conformidad con las normas del Derecho Canónico, por la presente decreto lo siguiente: Artículo I Por la presente, se designan la capilla y los terrenos de la comunidad de las Hermanas Franciscanas de la Eucaristía en Pocatello, Idaho, como lugar oficial de peregrinación para el Año de San Francisco en la Diócesis de Boise. Artículo II Se anima a los fieles cristianos a visitar este lugar de peregrinación a lo largo del Año de San Francisco para orar, participar en el Santo Sacrificio de la Misa, adorar la Eucaristía, meditar sobre la Sagrada Escritura, recibir el sacramento de la Penitencia y practicar la devoción inspirada en la vida y el ejemplo de San Francisco. Artículo III Se anima a los párrocos, capellanes, escuelas, comunidades religiosas y otras organizaciones eclesiales de la Diócesis a organizar peregrinaciones a este lugar durante el Año de San Francisco, para que los fieles puedan crecer en santidad y profundizar su comunión con Cristo y su Iglesia. Artículo IV Se anima a los peregrinos a rezar por las intenciones del Santo Padre, por las necesidades de la Iglesia universal, por las vocaciones al sacerdocio y a la vida consagrada, y por el pueblo y los ministerios de la Diócesis de Boise. Artículo V La Comunidad de las Hermanas Franciscanas de la Eucaristía colaborará con la Diócesis de Boise para ofrecer oportunidades de oración, catequesis y enriquecimiento espiritual, de modo que los peregrinos puedan obtener abundantes frutos espirituales de su peregrinación. Artículo VI La presente designación entrará en vigor el 1 de julio de 2026 y perma- necerá vigente durante todo el Año de San Francisco, que concluirá el 10 de enero de 2027, salvo que el obispo de Boise la prorrogue o modifique. Sin perjuicio de cualquier disposición contraria. Dado en la Cancillería de la Diócesis de Boise, el día 12 de Junio del año del Señor 2026. Monseñor Peter Christensen Obispo, Diocese of Boise

From left, newly ordained Deacons Jeremey Westmark and Colin Meyer are with Bishop Peter F. Christensen and Deacons Keith Pettyjohn and Rodney Geilenfeldt. (ICR photos/Vero Gutierrez) By Emily Woodham Staff Writer The Lord, said Bishop Peter F. Christensen, called the men ordained to the permanent diaconate far beyond any expectations or preconceived abilities. “You have said yes to the Lord’s call to ordination out of your desire to serve the Lord and His Church,” Bishop Peter continued in his homily. “Whatever that may involve and wherever it may take you, it is a walk of faith, a walk of trust.” The deacon candidates lie prostrate during the Litany of the Saints. (ICR photos/Vero Gutierrez) Bishop Peter ordained Deacons Rodney Geilenfeldt, Colin Meyer, Keith Pettyjohn and Jeremey Westmark at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist on June 5. Bishop Peter told the men to take comfort in the first reading at the Mass, Jeremiah 1:5-9, in which God calls the Old Testament prophet and tells him to be not afraid of the calling on his life. “Jeremiah has doubts about his readiness to do what the Lord was asking of him,” he explained. “He even objects by stating his preconceived limitations. Our Lord, since the beginning of time, had a plan for Jeremiah as He has had for each one of us, for each of His disciples, each of His saints, each one of you four.” Deacon Jeremey Westmark makes the “Promise of the Elect” with Bishop Peter. (ICR photos/Vero Gutierrez) Bishop Peter also encouraged the candidates in their vows to have “integrity of the witness we give by living the Scriptures” and “proclaiming them by word and action to others.” “My brothers, let us enter the places of imprisonment that so many people today are suffering. Many lives are hurt by doubts and fears. Let us bring our brothers and sisters the Good News of Jesus Christ. Teach them His living Word of Hope, His living Word of Salvation.” As ordained deacons, the Lord gives them the grace by the power of the Holy Spirit to carry out the mission entrusted to them, he continued. Deacon Rodney Geilenfeldt receives the “Handing on of the Book of the Gospels.” (ICR photos/Vero Gutierrez) “New strength will come. He asks only one thing: to let Him into your lives deeply for His use and purpose. He knows that you’re capable — and what you’re capable of doing in this life with His grace. He will stand with you to fulfill His plans through you.” Two of the men ordained are from north Idaho, and two are from the Treasure Valley. Deacon Rodney Geilenfeldt, assigned at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Coeur d’Alene, loves helping others. Not only does he enjoy serving people in the Church, he has also worked in emergency medical services and fire departments for 35 years. “I’ve been an EMT, paramedic and firefighter,” said Rodney, who is currently a division chief for EMS in Coeur d’Alene. Bishop Peter invokes the Holy Spirit over Deacon Keith Pettyjohn. (ICR photos/Vero Gutierrez) However, Deacon Rodney was not always Catholic, nor was he always an Idahoan. He was born and raised in California. His family was Baptist. Although he was baptized when he was 10, over time, his family stopped going to church. “I was away from the church for a long time, until I met my wife, Bessie,” he said. They married in May 2000 and have three children, Courtney, Megan and Otto. After Megan was born, they felt like it was finally time to start going to church. “We went church shopping as good Protestants do,” he chuckled. Their search ended with a Presbyterian church in 2006. Rodney became involved in the music ministry and then was elected as an elder of the church. His wife also joined church leadership. “This is kind of funny now,” he added. “My wife was a deacon.” However, the more Rodney and his wife studied Scripture, the more they began to question what their church was teaching. “We always felt like something was missing at our church, and we couldn’t quite put our finger on it,” Rodney said. As they faced struggles with their church, Rodney and Bessie began having more conversations with Catholics, especially with one of Bessie’s co-workers. “She was living out her faith in a way I hadn’t seen before,” Rodney said. The four newly ordained deacons receive a blessing from Bishop Peter after the Mass. (ICR photos/Vero Gutierrez) Rodney started listening to Catholic radio. Then, through the Chaldean Catholic community, he had an encounter with the Blessed Mother. From the time of the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 until eleven years ago, about 35,000 Iraqis have been resettled in the San Diego area, most of whom are Chaldean Catholics. “The refugees just kind of flooded into our town,” Rodney said. “I was a firefighter at the time. When I would go into their homes that had their rosaries, statues and all the Catholic stuff, I would think, ‘Man, these people are over the top.’ But then it started piquing my interest.” One day, he was called to an emergency for an elderly man with chest pains. As Rodney assessed the man, the man’s teenage granddaughter came into the room. “She was standing there with her head tilted and her hands in prayer at her chest, looking at her grandfather, and it pierced me. It was as if it was Our Lady of Guadalupe standing there in front of me.” Although he knew intellectually it was just the man’s granddaughter, in that moment of transcendent grace, he experienced the presence of the Blessed Mother. Rodney wept after he left the man’s home, overwhelmed by the experience. “God knew he needed to send ‘Mom’ to come and get me. So, she got me.” Then in February 2015, 21 Coptic Christians of Libya were beheaded by Islamic terrorists. Their heroic faith “sealed the deal for me,” Rodney said. “So, we became Catholic.” Newly ordained Deacon Colin Meyer is given a fraternal embrace by a fellow deacon after his ordination. (ICR photos/Vero Gutierrez) Rodney and Bessie entered the Church at the Easter Vigil of 2016. True to their love of serving, Rodney and Bessie quickly became involved in teaching for OCIA (the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults). They also joined Cursillo. With encouragement from friends and his pastor, Rodney entered formation for the diaconate in 2019. But when the COVID pandemic hit in 2020, formation classes stopped with the shutdown. Later that year, he found a job in Coeur d’Alene. “We came up here, and we’ve been blessed ever since,” he said. Rodney began formation in the diaconate for the Diocese of Boise in 2021. The most difficult things he had to overcome in his formation were doubts that seemed to come at him from nowhere. “There were times I would think: ‘I’m no preacher. I’m a fireman who loves Jesus and His Church. I’m no theologian,’” Rodney said. Talking with others helped him overcome his fears and realize that they came from “the evil one,” not from God. Rodney also did the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises with Deacon Chris Stewart, who serves at St. Pius X Parish in Coeur d’Alene. “Learning those spiritual exercises helped make those doubts go away,” he said. “My brothers in formation—Keith, Colin and Jeremey—have been a great support. I also had help from Father Mariusz. He’s amazing,” he said. Father Mariusz Majewski is the pastor at St. Thomas in Coeur d’Alene. If anyone is considering becoming a deacon, Rodney suggests having conversations with a parish deacon about the role and everyday realities of serving. It’s also important, he said, to explore the topic with your parish priest and pray. However, he emphasized that the first conversation “should be with your wife.” Deacon Colin Meyer, assigned at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Moscow, had little to do with the Church until 10 years ago. “I took the long road,” Deacon Colin said. “This whole journey has been God working in me and doing a complete metamorphosis.” “My mother is Catholic,” he explained. “She was born in England, was an orphan and raised in a convent. She met my dad when he was stationed with the Air Force in England. My brother and sister were baptized, but when I came around, things were rough for my family. My father worked odd hours at a couple of jobs. It was hard for them to make it to church. They basically decided to leave it up to me to get baptized.” Colin grew up in South Lake Tahoe, California. When he graduated from high school, he joined the Army. Although he didn’t get the specialization he wanted, he has no regrets that they stationed him in Germany for four years. “It was a wonderful tour in Germany, and that is where I met my wife, Kirstin,” he said. Colin and Kirstin married in 1990. Although she was a cradle Catholic and he loved her, he still didn’t want to have anything to do with God. After his four years were done, Colin returned to South Lake Tahoe with Kirstin. They had three children: Ashley, Brandon and Cassidy. Priests and deacons from around the Diocese of Boise attended the ordination for the permanent diaconate at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Boise. (ICR photos/Vero Gutierrez) Going from working with howitzer cannons in the Army to civilian life was challenging for Colin. After seeing Kirstin’s fulfillment in her work as an EKG tech at a hospital, he decided to also work in the hospital. He started as a transporter, taking patients from room to room or to procedures. He then became an anesthesia tech until an opportunity opened up to be a physical therapy aide. In 2005, Colin and Kirstin moved their family to Moscow to be closer to Colin’s parents. “My mom was a parishioner at St. Mary’s for six years, until they moved back to Nevada, and loved the church. She tried to compel me to come into the Church, but I was a very rough man. I didn’t feel that I deserved to be there and that these folks who were in church were much holier than I am. I thought they’d see right through me and throw me out.” Soon after moving to Moscow, Kirstin found out that a massage school was opening in Moscow. “Kirstin has always been my guiding light. She told me about the school, and I knew I needed to go,” he said. Colin has been a medical massage therapist for almost 20 years. In the fall of 2016, Colin found out his daughter, Ashley, was going to what was then called “RCIA,” “Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults.” (This is now called “Order of Christian Initiation for Adults” or “OCIA.”). When he asked her about OCIA, she told him that it was just like catechism for a small group of people. “Right then, something kind of hit me,” Colin said. The “something” was an unquenchable curiosity and undeniable grace to know more about the classes. “I thought, ‘Well, if it’s a small group of people, let me try this out,’” he continued. With his daughter’s encouragement, he went with her to OCIA. When Colin told Kirstin that he joined OCIA, she laughed, he said. “Because of the way I used to be, she never put God and me in the same room.” Kirstin has had to learn to trust God throughout Colin’s conversion. “It took her a while to see that there was a change God made in me.” Colin was baptized and confirmed at Easter Vigil at St. Mary’s Parish in 2017. Six years ago, he began his formation in the permanent diaconate. Before his transformation at his baptism, he said, he was very self-centered. “It was always about what was in it for me if I helped someone out. There was a change God made in me because who in their right mind, who is selfish and self-serving, would want to jump into this role of ministry, of self-emptying in service to others?” Colin looks forward to serving as deacon at St. Mary’s. “We’re really involved with our church. It’s our second home and a big part of our life. It’s helped bring our family together. We love to help and serve the people here.” Deacon Colin Meyer gives a blessing following his ordination. (ICR photos/Vero Gutierrez) Deacon Keith Pettyjohn is assigned to St. Mary’s Parish in Boise. From an early age, growing up on his family’s farm near Walla Walla, WA, Deacon Keith learned that community members have to look after one another. “Whenever there is a fire during harvest season, all of the farmers stop their harvest and rush to help put out the neighbor’s fire,” Keith shared. Keith and his wife, Michelle, have raised their four children at St. Mary’s and now are the proud grandparents of two grandsons. “I am so blessed to have such a loving and supportive wife to support my ministry work,” Keith stressed. In his 28 years at St. Mary’s, Keith has served on the finance council and as a lector. He is a founding member of the Knights of Columbus Council #12531 and serves as its Lecturer. He also serves as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist with Michelle to a local nursing home. Father John Kucera asked Deacon Keith to serve on his Parish Leadership Team (PLT) two years ago, when he implemented the new Amazing Parish program at St. Mary’s. “It has been a tremendous privilege to work alongside Fr. John and the other great deacons at St. Mary’s! The parish is thriving under Fr. John’s leadership, and I am so grateful for the support of my brother deacons. Given the current demands on my time at Salt & Light Radio, my primary ministry at the parish will continue to be serving on the PLT and assisting Michelle with the Eucharistic outreach to the nursing home. Of course, I look forward to serving on the altar and to preaching occasionally, but St. Mary’s is already well served in those capacities.” Deacon Keith Pettyjohn blesses his daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren following his ordination. (ICR photos/Vero Gutierrez) Keith was also one of the founding members of Salt & Light Radio, a Catholic radio apostolate based in Boise that now has stations across Idaho. He still serves as its board president and acting executive director. The prompting to start a Catholic radio station was just another step in Keith’s call to serve Christ and His Church. “We have such an incredible team at Salt & Light / Sal y Luz Radio. The Holy Spirit has definitely guided that effort from its inception in 2009. My job is just to not get in the way of the Holy Spirit and to take the garbage out on Fridays!” Deacon Jeremey Westmark is assigned at Holy Apostles Catholic Church. Like Deacon Keith, he is also a “cradle Catholic,” growing up in a small town south of Fresno, California, where he went to Catholic school through the eighth grade. “I was an altar boy and very active in my church,” Deacon Jeremey said. He first felt the call to serve the Church when he was in first grade. His teacher was a Religious sister and encouraged him in his faith. “Because of that, I always felt like God had something special for me to do,” he said. He found his faith to be especially crucial when he joined the military. “I enlisted when I was 18 at the end of my freshman year of college,” he said. “The Eucharist solidified my faith during one of the most extreme environments you can imagine—Marine Corps boot camp.” During that time, he faithfully went to Mass each Sunday to renew himself. “It was where my faith was deepened,” he explained. “I actually discerned the priesthood during that time of my life, but it just didn’t seem to go with the Marine Corps.” Jeremey served in the Marine Corps Reserves for eight years. He started his own company in 1999 in Las Vegas. He married his wife, Deanna, in 2006. While in Las Vegas, he began formation for the diaconate, but after two years, his pastor told him that it was not the right time. “Deanna was pregnant at the time, and he really felt I needed to just take time to focus on being a husband and father,” he said. After having two more children, they began looking for other places to live. “We didn’t want to raise our kids in Las Vegas,” Jeremey said. In 2012, a friend recommended that they check out Boise. “I flew up and fell in love with it. I brought my wife and kids up the following week.” They immediately registered at Holy Apostles Parish in Meridian. “We love it and have never looked back,” he said. Although becoming a deacon remained in the back of his mind, Jeremey didn’t pursue it until one day he received an email from his pastor, who at the time was Father Len MacMillan (now pastor at St. Pius X in Coeur d’Alene). Father MacMillan asked Jeremey if he had ever considered becoming a deacon, and then set up a meeting so they could discuss it. The newly ordained deacons and their wives are, fom left, Deanna and Deacon Jeremey Westmark, Bessie and Deacon Rodney Geilenfeldt, Kirstin and Deacon Colin Meyer, and Michelle and Deacon Keith Pettyjohn. (ICR photos/Vero Gutierrez) “I told him the whole story about my journey, and at the end of it, he said, ‘Well, that settles it. You’re going to be a deacon.’” The greatest difficulty Jeremey had to overcome in formation was spiritual warfare. “The first five months of formation, I learned very acutely that spiritual warfare is very real,” he said. There was, however, an encouraging aspect to the spiritual warfare. “I knew God wanted me to be a deacon because the evil one was working overtime to keep me from being a deacon!” Jeremey said. His second and third years of formation were more peaceful, but he experienced more spiritual warfare during his fourth year. “But it still wasn’t as bad as during that first year. I’m very blessed that my spiritual director is Father Justin Brady. I was able to articulate to him everything that I was going through.” Father Brady is pastor at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Nampa. Each candidate for the diaconate chooses a spiritual director to help guide them through formation. The deacon candidates stand at the beginning of the Mass for their ordinations. (ICR photos/Vero Gutierrez) “God knew exactly what I needed in a spiritual director,” Jeremey said. “Even as challenging as the spiritual warfare was, I’m blessed to have gone through all of it.” Of all the aspects of serving as a deacon, Jeremey is most looking forward to the relationships he will build within the community. He wants to be there for people who are facing difficulties or just need someone to listen to them. “I think that is what God has called me to be in this diaconate ministry: someone who really builds those relationships,” he said.

Desert House, home of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, was photographed several years ago. The house overlooks a lake on the sisters’ property and is known by this name because of its location in an arid region. (Photo courtesy of the ICR archives.) By Vero Gutiérrez Assistant Editor Pocatello — If you love nature, be sure to visit the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist Convent during the Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi in the Diocese of Boise in 2026. Founding of the Community The Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist were founded in 1973 by a decree of the Vatican’s Sacred Congregation for Religious. Their founding was in response to the call of Vatican II for religious communities to renew religious life. The fifty-five (55) original founding Sisters were members of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and had participated in a program of renewal within that congregation. It was discerned by the Sacred Congregation for Religious in Rome that the new expression of religious life emerging from this program of renewal would grow more fully if it were established as a separate congregation. As a result, on December 2, 1973, the First Sunday of Advent, the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist came into being as a Pontifical Community. The founding years drew upon the energy, drive, and commitment of the young Community to form centers of community life that expressed the vision which impelled the Sisters to move into this new venture, and to initiate various forms of apostolate to meet the needs of the people. It was through the vision and Spirit-directed leadership of their original foundress, Mother Rosemae Pender, and co-foundress, Mother Shaun Vergauwen, that the Community continues to flourish. Pocatello Community A more recent image of the residence of the Franciscan Sisters. ( Photo ICR/ Vero Gutiérrez) One of the centers for the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist is currently located at 2098 Truckerville Road in Pocatello. It is home to six active sisters. The center was founded in June 1975 by the founder, Mother Mona Brunner, and co-foundress, Mother Janice Otis. The community had served in Blackfoot before that date. Mother Mona held a degree in Family Counseling, and Mother Janice Otis was instrumental in working for the Diocese of Boise as a religious education teacher for the children of migrant workers. In 1975, Bishop Sylvester Treinen officially named their center the Family Life Center within the diocese, emphasizing their work with all families and their needs in today’s world. The site retains its beauty, just as it did more than fifty years ago when the sisters first arrived in the area. Visitors can enjoy abundant species of wild birds and wildlife, as well as a pond that offers beautiful sunsets. There is a small lake at the back of the sisters' house. (Photo ICR/ Vero Gutiérrez) Named the Desert House, due to the arid nature of the area, particularly during the summer, this beautiful property on the outskirts of Pocatello is a peaceful haven ready to welcome pilgrims seeking a plenary indulgence this year. This year, 2026, marks the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi. The Catholic Church, and the Franciscan Community in particular, have launched special Jubilee celebrations in honor of this beloved saint. In 2015, Pope Francis wrote a letter announcing that this year would be the culmination of the celebration. He stated that we are all called to sanctify ourselves in the modern world by following St. Francis’s example. In his message, Pope Francis affirmed that today’s world needs to rediscover the spirit of St. Francis, writing: “May this Year of St. Francis inspire us all to imitate the Little Poor Man of Assisi, form ourselves after the model of Christ, and become constant witnesses of peace, each according to our own abilities.” Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi When the appointed time came, Pope Leo XIV proclaimed a special Jubilee Year dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi, from January 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027. Pope Leo XIV wrote, “May every faithful Christian, following the example of St. Francis, become a model of holiness and a constant witness to peace.” In a decree published on January 16 of this year, the Apostolic Penitentiary explained that a plenary indulgence would be granted “under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion, and prayer for the Holy Father's intentions), and it may be applied as a suffrage for souls in purgatory.” Plenary Indulgence Among other points, the decree establishes that all the faithful, without distinction, who, with a soul detached from sin, participate in the Year of St. Francis by visiting any Franciscan convent, church, or place of worship dedicated to or connected to St. Francis in any way, and who devoutly follow the Jubilee rites there, spend time in pious meditation, and offer prayers to God so that feelings of Christian charity toward one’s neighbor and authentic wishes for harmony and peace among peoples may spring forth in their hearts following the example of St. Francis, concluding with the Our Father, the Creed, and invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Clare, and all the saints of the Franciscan family, may obtain a plenary indulgence. Diocese of Boise A press release from our diocese announced that, effective July 1, 2026, the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist community will be a designated place of pilgrimage for obtaining a plenary indulgence during the Jubilee Year of St. Francis. According to Bishop Peter Christensen’s formal announcement, this invitation complements the Vatican’s invitation to the faithful worldwide to make this year a special time of prayer and spiritual renewal inspired by St. Francis’s life and witness. A first-class relic of St. Francis of Assisi, housed in the convent chapel. The statement notes that this year Catholics throughout Idaho are encouraged to make a pilgrimage to the Pocatello chapel and community of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist to pray and participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Eucharistic adoration, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It was crafted from a valve used in an irrigation system. The sisters intentionally incorporate elements characteristic of the local region into their chapels. Because this piece once carried water—a symbol of life—it now serves as a tabernacle, holding Life Himself in the Eucharist. (Photo ICR/ Vero Gutiérrez) “The Franciscan Sisters’ example inspires us to love Christ more deeply in the Holy Eucharist and to recommit living the Gospel with simplicity, joy, and charity,” said Bishop Christensen. “As we celebrate the Year of St. Francis, I encourage the faithful of our diocese to take advantage of this opportunity to make a pilgrimage and experience spiritual renewal.” Mother Anthony Marie Greving, superior of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, prays in the monastery chapel. Mother Anthony Marie Greving, the local community’s superior, welcomed the announcement that her community had been designated a pilgrimage site for the Year of St. Francis in the diocese. “We are deeply grateful to Bishop Christensen for this designation and for his support of our community,” she said. “St. Francis dedicated his life to bringing others closer to Jesus Christ through humility, simplicity, and love for the Eucharist. We hope that all who come here during this Year of St. Francis will encounter the Lord more deeply, experience his mercy and peace, and return home with renewed faith.” One important recommendation from Mother Anthony is to contact the convent before planning your visit. During the first fortnight of July, the community will be on retreat, so they will only be able to welcome pilgrims from 15 July onwards.

By James Scerbo For the ICR Members of the Boise Chapter of Legatus gathered May 21 for an evening of prayer, fellowship and a presentation by emergency physician Dr. Scott French, who spoke on Eucharistic miracles, the Shroud of Turin and the relationship between faith and science. French, a board-certified emergency physician and member of the Magis Center advisory board, has spent years studying scientific research surrounding Eucharistic miracles and the Shroud of Turin. Drawing upon medicine, pathology James Scerbo and forensic science, he challenged attendees to consider how physical evidence can point toward deeper spiritual realities. The presentation focused on several well-known Eucharistic miracles, including Lanciano in Italy, Buenos Aires in Argentina, Tixtla in Mexico and the more recent miracles in Sokolka and Legnica, Poland. French explained how investigators examining these events reported findings of human blood and cardiac tissue associated with consecrated hosts. While emphasizing that science cannot prove the supernatural itself, French argued that science can examine the physical effects associated with extraordinary events. For him, the growing body of research surrounding Eucharistic miracles serves as a signpost directing people toward Christ and toward the Church’s teaching on the Real Presence in the Eucharist. French also discussed the Shroud of Turin, which many Christians believe to be the burial cloth of Jesus. He described scientific and historical evidence that continues to generate interest among researchers and believers alike. Rather than presenting faith and reason as opposing forces, he suggested that the search for truth requires both. The Shroud presentation, text, images and life-size post-scourging body of Jesus were so moving that 24 high-res photos of the exhibit were displayed at the January 2026 Legatus Summit held in Santa Barbara. Dr. Scott French, an emergency physician, speaks about the Shroud of Turin at a recent Legatus meeting. (Courtesy photo) One of the most memorable portions of the evening centered on Blessed Carlo Acutis, the Italian teenager known for creating a digital catalog of Eucharistic miracles before his death in 2006. French shared several reflections from Acutis on eternity, courage and the importance of keeping one’s eyes fixed on Christ. Acutis once wrote, “Our goal must be infinite, not the finite. The infinite is our homeland.” That theme resonated throughout the presentation as French spoke about modern society’s struggle with despair, anxiety and loss of meaning. As a physician who regularly encounters suffering and mortality, he offered a perspective shaped by both medical experience and Catholic faith. For many attendees, the evening became more than a discussion of miracles. It became a reflection on the human search for truth itself. Questions surrounding science, evidence, suffering and eternal life are not merely academic. They touch every person, whether in the workplace, the family or the broader culture. The presentation also connected naturally with the mission of Legatus. Founded to help Catholic business leaders study, live and spread the faith in their professional and personal lives, Legatus encourages members to bring Catholic principles into the public square with conviction and integrity. The evening began with opportunities for confession, the Rosary and Mass before members and spouses gathered for dinner and the presentation. Such events are a hallmark of Legatus, which combines faith formation, fellowship and intellectual engagement. Joe Burke, Dr. Scott French and Ellen Burke (Courtesy photo) Legatus strives to provide business leaders and entrepreneurs with faith formation and a community where they can build meaningful relationships with other Catholics running similarly sized organizations. Legatus is unique in offering events and membership to couples, allowing spouses to participate fully in chapter life. Monthly gatherings typically include prayer, the sacraments, a shared meal and presentations from distinguished Catholic speakers. One of more than 95 chapters throughout the United States, the Boise Chapter continues to provide opportunities for Catholic executives and their spouses to deepen their faith while building lasting friendships with fellow Catholic leaders. French’s presentation ultimately returned to a simple but profound claim: truth exists, faith and reason are not enemies and the Eucharist remains at the center of the Christian life. For those gathered that evening, the discussion offered both intellectual engagement and a renewed appreciation for the mystery of Christ’s presence in the Church. Call (734) 274-6400 or email info@legatus.org for membership details.

By Philip A. Janquart ICR Editor BOISE — She never knew it, but Melissa Burke lived her entire life with one kidney larger than the other. A common occurrence in human anatomy, it was found to be healthy and fully functional. It was, however, an extraordinary discovery that would change two lives forever. Here's what happened: Steve Brown, now 69, was first diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) in 1988. At the time, he had hoped to donate one of his kidneys to his mother, who was suffering from kidney failure caused by the same inherited disorder. The diagnosis made him ineligible as a donor. Steve Brown following kidney transplant surgery. (Courtesy photo) For the next 35 years, Steve was monitored regularly by his nephrologist as the disease slowly progressed. In 2023, that progression took a dramatic turn. “My nephrologist, Dr. Nicholas Hunt, had been seeing me about once a year,” Steve told the Idaho Catholic Register. “When my kidney function started declining more rapidly, he told me I needed to get ready to start dialysis. I told him, ‘That isn't happening.’” Because Steve resisted undergoing surgery to create a fistula for dialysis access, Dr. Hunt shortened the interval between appointments. “He told me he would have to see me again in six months,” Steve recalled. “But then he added, ‘But you won’t make it six more months.’” Three months to the day later, Hunt’s prediction proved accurate. Steve was hospitalized in complete renal failure. “My kidneys were junk; they weren’t functioning well,” he said. “I ended up in the hospital three months after finding out. The condition of my kidneys had deteriorated rapidly, and I was about to flip and die because my body was so full of poison.” Steve urgently needed a kidney transplant. As he began dialysis and was added to the transplant waiting list, he could only wait and hope. His rare blood type made the search for a compatible donor especially difficult, and doctors estimated it could take five to seven years to find a match. “I thought, ‘OK, I’m really stuck,’” he said. Finding faith Meanwhile, he had begun struggling with his faith. Steve, who spent decades in Protestant communities, including the Calvary Chapel movement, went through periods when he found himself distanced from church life. “I went through a divorce and got angry,” he said. “Then I realized I needed God and started church jumping, but I couldn’t get into the mega church scene. And so, I just said, ‘God knows my heart, and I’m good to go.’” He had second thoughts when his son challenged him on the subject. From left, Paul Burke, Melissa Burke and Steve Brown. (Courtesy photo) “He said, ‘No, Dad. Seek first the Spirit and seek first God in all things. Are you doing that? Are you going to church?’” Steve said. His son, Michael, had previously converted to Catholicism and encouraged his dad to learn more. “I asked him to send me everything he had on the Catholic Church,” Steve said. He read extensively for two years, curiosity eventually motivating him to attend Mass with a friend at St. Paul Parish in Nampa, where he met Deacon Charles Corballus and entered the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). “I said, ‘I want to do OCIA,’” he said. He previously shared the story of his conversion during this time in the May 10, 2023 issue of the ICR. Steve converted to Catholicism and is now an OCIA program table leader at St. Paul’s—so is Melissa. Finding a donor Melissa and Steve were familiar with one another, exchanging greetings at OCIA classes, but they never had a formal conversation. That changed the day Steve made the announcement that he had been accepted into the highly selective GiftWorks program at the University of Utah. “One night, I asked Deacon Charles if I could make my presentation during the first five or ten minutes of the OCIA class, asking folks if they would share my story through the GiftWorks program on their social media to get the word out that I needed a donor,” he said. Dave's son Michael and his family joined him in Paris for a family vacation. From right, Michael's daughter Rosalie, wife Kim, son Dominic and Steve. (Courtesy photo) GiftWorks, LLC The GiftWorks program is a relatively innovative transplant-support initiative designed to help kidney transplant candidates find living donors by teaching them how to advocate for themselves publicly—especially through social media, storytelling and community outreach, according to the GiftWorks website. The program operates in partnership with University of Utah Health Transplant Services and focuses primarily on kidney transplant patients seeking living donors. “I remember that day when he stood up and told everybody,” Melissa recollected. “He shared that it was really difficult for him to stand up there; it was easy for me to imagine how hard that was for him. He said, ‘I'm not asking anybody for a kidney. I'm just asking if you could share this on your social media.’” Following Steve’s presentation, Melissa and husband, Paul, began discussing the prospect of Melissa becoming a donor after learning she had the same O-positive blood type. Paul, however, was worried, but quickly offered his support. “I said, ‘Well, let’s see what we can do for him,’” he said. “When I found out that she was also O-positive, I got this sense of peace, and it came from the Holy Spirit. That’s the only explanation I can give. I knew everything was going to be fine.” Melissa said she felt all along that she would be a match. Steve didn’t expect to find a donor so soon, much less from the OCIA program at his own church. “I was blown away,” he recalled. “I said, ‘Are you guys sure?’” Decision of a lifetime Melissa soon began the testing process to see if the transplant was plausible. “I quickly had all the testing done,” she said. “The University of Utah worked with St. Luke’s here in Boise, so I didn’t have to drive to Utah, except once.” She met all the requirements, but there were two potential problems: one was too small, and it was questionable if the other would be a viable match. “They told me that one of my kidneys was a little larger than the other, that I might not have a donatable kidney—because sometimes a woman’s kidneys are too small for men—so they had to do another test,” Melissa explained. “Then, I received a text, and it said that the larger kidney was a 98% match, which is almost unheard of. “The fact that one of my kidneys was bigger, I decided that God had put it inside of me so that I could hold it for Steve because eventually it was his; it was perfect.” Doctors shared more information about the transplant following the surgery. Many kidney transplant recipients have a ureteral stent, a small plastic tube placed between the transplanted kidney and the bladder, which helps with urine flow while the connection heals. Because the immune system recognizes the new kidney as foreign, patients must also take immunosuppressive (anti-rejection) medications. But Steve didn’t need the tube, and takes an unusually low dose of anti-rejection medication. “It fit like it belonged there. They (the doctors) told me it was custom grown for me,” he said. “They said the kidney began functioning the second they re-established blood supply. It was already producing urine. You don’t see that right away. I thought, ‘Wow!’ I didn't have to have a drain tube in my side. I didn't have to be on prednisone. And now today, I'm on the lowest amount of immunosuppressants. I bounced back so fast, I was riding my Harley six weeks later.” Steve shows off his catch, a rainbow trout, during a fishing trip. (Courtesy photo) Melissa described her own recovery as physically difficult but spiritually rewarding. “The initial recovery is painful,” she said. “But I had such a joy.” She said that joy remained even in the midst of discomfort. “I was in a lot of pain, but I can’t explain the joy I had,” she said. She also said she has no regrets. “I haven’t, not even once,” she said. “Even if something had gone wrong, I would never have regretted it.” Both she and her husband said the experience strengthened their faith. “This whole thing has been a true miracle,” Paul said. “The Holy Spirit was working in our faith.” They also emphasized the role of the parish community. “I realized how many people were praying for us and the power of that,” Melissa said. Steve agreed. “When two or more come in prayer before the Lord, he hears you,” he said. Despite the positive outcome, Steve said he has, at times, fought against feelings of unworthiness. “I still struggle with … well, I don’t feel worthy,” he said during a combined ICR interview with Melissa and Paul. “I can never repay her for what she did for me.” Melissa responded with a simple and sincere reply. “You can’t repay it because God already has,” she said. All three said they agreed to share their story in the hope it might encourage others. “I would love it if this could be done in such a way that others might be inspired to do the same,” Melissa said. She noted that many people are waiting for transplants and that living donations can make a significant difference. “A healthy person can live a full normal life with one kidney,” she said. Paul said the need is real, stating that there are 90,000 people in the U.S. who are currently waiting for donors. The average wait for a deceased-donor kidney can be three to more than five years. “Anyway, everything worked out really well,” he said. “It was such a blessing that I think the story needs to be told. And like I said, ‘I hope it inspires other people to do the same thing.’” On June 5, 2026, Steve celebrated a milestone: the first anniversary of the kidney transplant that transformed his life.

Candidates for ordination to the transitional diaconate, Brother John Paul O’Sullivan, V.S., Diocese of Boise Seminarian Ian Willnerd, and Brother Thomas Fransen, V.S., lie prostrate before the altar as Bishop Peter Christensen and the congregation pray for the intercessions of the saints. (ICR photo/Joseph Egbert) By Emily Woodham Staff Writer Diocese of Boise Seminarian Ian Willnerd and Verbum Spei Brothers Thomas Fransen and John Paul O’Sullivan were ordained to the transitional diaconate by Bishop Peter F. Christensen on May 27 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Boise. The transitional diaconate is the final step for seminarians before ordination to the priesthood. Diocese of Boise Seminarian Ian Willnerd is ordained a deacon to the transitional diaconate. (ICR photo/Vero Gutiérrez) “Deacons serve as ministers of the Church, embodying Christ’s call to serve others,” Bishop Peter said in his homily at Mass for the ordination. “They are integral to the liturgy: serving at the altar, proclaiming the Gospel and preaching on the Word of God. Deacons are also necessary for community outreach—acting as a bridge between the Church and the world.” The promises made by deacons in their ordination are countercultural in today’s society, the bishop said. In particular, the last four promises made by deacon candidates to remain celibate, practice regular prayer, conform to the example of Christ and respect and obey the bishop and his successors, “must sound odd to so many people in our society today.” From left, Verbum Spei Brothers Deacon Thomas Fransen and Deacon John Paul O'Sullivan are with Bishop Peter, Diocese of Boise Deacon Ian Willnerd, and Archdiocese of Seattle Deacon Simon Stehr. (ICR photo/Vero Gutiérrez) “Celibacy makes no sense, if you don’t have a sense of the Kingdom of Heaven, or of fasting and prayer in helping oneself and others get there, or a sense of a sacrifice of love for a greater love,” he said. The promise of prayer at key hours of each day is also countercultural in its humility. “Prayer is an admission and submission to a power greater than oneself,” Bishop Peter said. “For Christians, we worship the God who created us and who faithfully guides us through life.” The Church asks all Christians to conform to the example of Christ, but deacons are called “to do so with great intentionality,” he explained, while encouraging the candidates with a passage from the Gospel reading (John 15:9-17), in which Jesus said that the disciples did not choose Him, but that He chose them and “appointed them to go and bear fruit that will last.” Brother John Paul O'Sullivan, VS The grace to conform to Christ and bear fruit comes although “we are earthen vessels,” he said, referring to the first reading of the ordination Mass, 2 Corinthians 4:1-2, 5-7. The final promise that deacons make is obedience to the bishop and his successors. This is to live with trust, Bishop Peter explained, “that there is an order to our Church that brings safety and stability to all humanity. This obedience sounds so strange for some people in this world who would prefer to say, ‘I’d rather do it myself’ and not to bend the knee to anyone greater.” Although the world may be baffled by the decision to be ordained, the reason for ordination is in the Gospel reading from John 15, in which Jesus expounds on His love for the disciples and the love they are to have for one another. Bishop Peter said that Jesus speaks to the candidates, just as He did to the disciples, and invites them into a loving, intimate relationship. Brother Thomas Fransen, VS This relationship with God may seem countercultural. However, it is what God intended from the beginning with Adam and Eve. It is also the reason that Christ came into the world, Bishop Peter explained. “The Lord came among us that all may have life. He renewed and restores our life, forgives our sins. He has brought restoration and salvation to the entire world, and desires to do so for all those willing to accept the gifts He offers in this life.” Bishop Peter pointed out that it seems strange that Jesus would need to command somebody to love as He did in the Gospel. However, when looking at the life of Jesus, we can understand why He had to command it, he said. “He suffered. He laid down His life for the love of humanity. He gave His very self. You, as deacons, will give yourself in one way or another to the world out of ove. It is your commissioning as deacons that the world may come to see in you the life our Lord intends for the entire world.” Diocese of Boise Seminarian Ian Willnerd “A great gift is now entrusted to each of you. Use your gifts well,” Bishop Peter concluded. “Use your gifts with the power of God as your source of strength and your inspiration. May God who has begun the good work in you bring it to completion.” Deacon Brothers Fransen and O’Sullivan will serve at the Monastery of Our Lady of Ephesus in Boise and assist at parishes in the Diocese of Boise as needed. Deacon Ian Willnerd is assigned to St. Mary’s Parish and St. Augustine’s Student Center and Parish in Moscow where Father Chase Hasenoehrl is pastor of both. Deacon Willnerd will divide his time between his parish assignments and his final year of classes at St. Paul’s Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. He will be ordained as a priest of the Diocese of Boise next year.

Sister Mary-Grace Alles receives the habit at the Benedictine Abbey of St. Walburga in Virginia Dale, Colorado. (Courtesy photo/Alles family) By Emily Woodham Staff Writer Sister Mary-Grace Alles, parishioner of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, entered the novitiate at the Benedictine Abbey of St. Walburga in Virginia Dale, Colorado, on March 19, the Solemnity of St. Joseph, this year. Entering the novitiate includes the “clothing ceremony,” in which novices are clothed in their habits and the mother abbess cuts their hair. St. Walburga’s Abbey is cloistered and limits communication between its nuns and the outside world. Before entering the novitiate, Sister Mary-Grace interviewed with Denver Catholic. Sister Mary-Grace Alles is with her brother, Father Anthony Joseph, before her vows. (Courtesy photo/Alles family) “My whole life, I’ve been closely surrounded by the loving care, the interest, the joy and the formation of a family and community dedicated to a lively and full living of the faith and the liturgical year,” she told the Catholic diocesan magazine. “This is something I’ve been immersed in—the experience and the example of those around me formed in me a love for God and a desire to pursue him. Living this life here [at the abbey] feels in part like an act of gratitude for all these people and all they’ve done for me.” Following her entrance to the novitiate, Idaho Catholic Register interviewed her parents, Doug and Jennifer Alles, about their daughter’s journey to St. Walburga’s. Sister Mary-Grace is the fifth of seven children. She is the second of their children to enter religious life. Their oldest son, Father Anthony Joseph Alles (baptized “Nathaniel Joseph”), is a monk and priest at the Maronite Monastery of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in Castle Rock, Washington. In the growing shortage of vocations to the priesthood and Religious life, their family stands out. Doug, retired executive director of Catholic Charities, and Jennifer are both converts to the Catholic faith. Doug was raised without religious beliefs, and Jennifer was raised in the Baptist Church. They entered the Orthodox Church before becoming Catholic. All seven of their children were born in Portland, Oregon, where Doug worked in the Archdiocese of Portland. In 2014, they moved to Boise when Doug accepted the position as executive director for Catholic Charities of Idaho. He retired in 2024. Sister Mary-Grace Alles presents herself to the Mother Abbess at St. Walburga Abbey in Colorado. (Courtesy photo/Alles family) “It seems like we did not specifically talk a lot about Religious vocations when the kids were growing up,” Jennifer said. “It was just a natural part of our life, mostly because we ourselves loved the monastic ways.” The Alleses homeschooled their children and incorporated Catholic materials into their lessons. “As converts, we didn’t really know how to raise Catholic kids,” Jennifer said. “We kind of took to heart the Eastern Orthodox saying, ‘Every home a little monastery,’ and celebrated many of the saints’ days with particular foods, decorated the windows for the great feasts like Pentecost and All Saints, made crafts for various liturgical seasons, and decked the hearth with purple ribbons during Advent and Lent. The kids drew the Stations of the Cross every year and we would put them up in order around the house and we’d say the stations by candlelight during Lent. We decked the house with flower garlands for all of Easter season.” They also had family prayers each night. “Early on it was the rosary, and later we had other prayers,” Doug said. “Sometimes we did a better job at this, and sometimes we kind of faltered. But overall, we kept going with nightly family prayers.” Doug frequently went to a Trappist monastery near their home for retreats and spiritual direction. He brought home books and artwork from the monastery, which eventually became a place of quiet prayer for the family. Sister Mary-Grace lies prostrate as the congregation prays the Litany of the Saints. (Courtesy photo/Alles family) “I do believe that kids are observing parents more than you realize. What parents do, how we spend our time, what we prioritize matters,” he said. “Also, it was common for us to have priests come to visit us at home for dinner, house blessings and for family events. It made their vocations and way of life more accessible to, and real for, our kids.” Their son, Father Anthony Joseph, used to pretend to be a priest when he was little. “I made a little chasuble for Father Anthony when he was small,” Jennifer said. “He (and his younger brothers, in their turn) used to ‘play Mass’ and have doll baptisms.” The Alles family was involved with different religious communities in Oregon. Their home parish was staffed by at least five Dominican priests at any given time who lived in a priory next to the church. Also, when Mary-Grace was growing up, the Alles family attended the Easter Vigil Mass at Mount Angel Abbey in Oregon every single year. This meant leaving the house at 3:15 in the morning to arrive in time for what was then a 4:30 a.m. service early on Easter morning. The hair of Sister Mary-Grace is cut as a part of the ceremony for entering the novitiate. (Courtesy photo/Alles family) “Seeing and hearing the singing of the monks in the candlelit darkness no doubt had an impact on her,” Doug said. In her teen years, their family also became acquainted with the Saint John Society, a dynamic young order of priests based in Argentina that staffs the Portland State University Newman Center. The Alles family moved out to the countryside of Oregon when Mary-Grace was 1 and Nathaniel was 12. “This meant our kids got to participate in 4-H. They got to raise animals, including chickens. They built treehouses and roamed more freely,” Jennifer explained. “Keeping the world at arm’s length was something we tried intentionally to do, but without being weird or fearful about it.” After graduating from high school, Mary-Grace went to Hillsdale College. She then taught at a classical school in Austin, Texas, for two years. She accepted a position at St. Paul’s School in Nampa in 2021. Jennifer flew to Austin to accompany Mary-Grace on the 26-hour drive back to Boise. “I was vaguely familiar with St. Walburga’s in Colorado because we have friends who are great fans of the abbey,” Jennifer said. She had also read an article about the unusual “rancher nuns.” She called the abbey to see about staying there overnight on their way back to Boise. “It was the perfect stopping place for the long trip, being 10 hours from Boise,” Jennifer recalled. “We got there in time for Vespers and Compline. We walked the abbey road as the sun set and drank in the stillness and beauty. We each got our own charming guest room with a handmade quilt on the bed. After morning Mass, we left.” Sister Mary-Grace is with her parents, Jennifer and Doug Alles. (Courtesy photo/Alles family) Although the stay was brief, Mary-Grace took her time at the abbey to heart. “Mary-Grace is warm and personable, but she tends to keep her cards close to her chest, as they say,” Doug said. “She was not one to share her discernment process with everyone.” In late August 2024, Mary-Grace surprised her family with the announcement that she was going to drive the 700 miles to St. Walburga’s for a weeklong visit at the abbey. “A bit after her return, she told us that she was going to go back to the abbey and was going to stay for three months this time. And she wouldn’t be home for Thanksgiving or Christmas,” Doug recalls. Jennifer said she realized how serious Mary-Grace’s discernment was when Mary-Grace left for the airport for her three-month stay at the abbey. “When Doug drove her to the airport at 3:30 in the morning, I cried in my bed, beginning to have an inkling of the loss I would feel if she entered. We did not really know what she was thinking or feeling about her visit, but we didn’t pry or pressure her for details.” When Mary-Grace returned from the abbey in January 2025, she shared that she had asked the abbess, Mother Maria-Michael, for permission to enter St. Walburga’s as a postulant. Mother Maria-Michael, abbess of St. Walburga Abbey, is with Sister Mary-Grace. (Courtesy photo/Alles family) “We were filled with wonder, awe and lots of feelings,” Jennifer said. “I cried a lot during this time. Whenever I thought about myself, I cried; whenever I thought about her, I was happy and at peace.” Mary-Grace wanted to enter as soon as she could get her life in order. Before her decision, she had paid off her college loans from Hillsdale College by paying it down regularly, beginning with her very first paycheck. After January, she set about getting rid of all her things. “She gave away clothes and books to her sisters and her friends. She threw away papers and things from college. It occurred to us that if she, God forbid, had died, then we would be tasked with getting rid of her things in just this manner. But here, before our eyes, she was doing it for herself,” Doug said. “It was a bit painful to watch her doing this, but she just kept going until almost nothing was left.” Mary-Grace kept three or four favorite items of clothing in her closet in case she might discern during her postulant year that she was not called to Religious life. Everything else was gone. In February, she stood as godmother to her new nephew. Then at First Vespers of the feast of St. Joseph, March 18, 2025, she entered the postulancy. She entered the novitiate on March 19, 2026, the Solemnity of St. Joseph. “Mary-Grace made one weekend visit to the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist when she was in college, but she really didn’t visit or contact any other places while discerning her vocation,” Doug said. “We’re sure that having a brother enter monastic life was a positive influence.” Having two children in cloistered communities can be difficult. “We cannot see them or even communicate with them very easily,” Doug explained. “They won’t be coming home anymore, although Sister Mary-Grace will make a required two-week visit to us sometime this year. Our son’s vocation came very slowly over time, as his community was just being formed at the start of his journey to Religious life. We had time to adjust to his cloistered life. Sister Mary-Grace’s vocation as a Benedictine honestly fits her personality really well, but the Benedictine vow of stability (staying for one’s whole life in the same monastery and not leaving), especially for Jen, that was hard.” Sister Mary-Grace Alles (Courtesy photo/Alles family) Although it can be difficult to surrender to a child’s vocation to the priesthood or Religious life, frequenting the sacraments does help, Jennifer said. “I think we parents should habitually be reading the lives of the saints. Through their stories, which are so varied, fascinating and inspiring, the idea of Religious vocations for our kids becomes beautiful, natural, desirable and even heroic.” In the Benedictine order, formation lasts from eight to 12 years. Simple vows will be said after two years in the novitiate. Final vows are not said for at least another five years after that.

By Philip A. Janquart ICR Editor JEROME—San Francisco was the place to be during the height of 1960s counterculture, and Dave Johns grew up right in the middle of it. But decades later, in April of this year, he found himself in the quiet grace of the Easter Vigil at St. Jerome Parish in Jerome, Idaho. “I wasn’t raised religious at all, nothing like that,” Johns told the Idaho Catholic Register. “My journey was quite ‘the journey.’” Born in 1959 and raised in the Bay Area, Johns came of age during a period of dramatic cultural change. One of his earliest and most formative Dave Johns is baptized memories came at age 10, when he spent the summer of 1969 living with his older sister in a commune near Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco. “We’re talking ground zero of the hippie movement,” he said. The experience left a lasting impression, though not in the way some might expect. “I learned that I did not like hippies at all,” he said, chuckling. “I thought they were stinky and lazy—but I loved their music.” That summer also introduced him to live rock music, Johns attending his first concert—the Rolling Stones—and later witnessing performances by Jimi Hendrix and The Doors. “Not many people can say that,” he said. Faith was not a part of his early life. Instead, Johns gravitated toward martial arts and the philosophical ideas that often accompany them. While he encountered elements of Buddhism, he said it was more about practical wisdom than religious commitment. “It was more in the teaching sense,” he said. “Things like discipline, mindset—not worship.” A turning point came in 1979, when Johns enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. During his six years of service—including time in the reserves—he began to encounter Christianity on a deeper, more personal level. The first steps One moment in particular stood out to him. It was a visit to a friend’s home, where he noticed a poster of the poem “Footprints in the Sand.” The poem is about a person walking along a beach with God while scenes from his life appear in the sky in a vision. In the sand, he notices there are two sets of footprints—his own and God’s. During the hardest moments of his life, however, he sees only one set of footprints, triggering feelings of abandonment and causing the person to ask God why He left him in times of suffering. God responds, saying that those were the times when He picked up the man and carried him. “I started tearing up,” Johns said. “I didn’t understand why, but something was happening.” Soon after, another encounter deepened that experience. A blacklight image of Christ on the cross, accompanied by the words, “How much did I love you? This much,” struck him in a powerful way. “That hit me again,” he said. “I just knew I had to look into this.” He began attending a Methodist church, marking his first sustained step into Christian faith. But the path was not linear. When the congregation eventually closed, Johns drifted away from regular church attendance, though he continued to read Scripture and reflect on spiritual questions. After leaving the Air Force in 1985, Johns moved to Idaho, settling in Jerome after first encountering the state during military exercises. “I fell in love with Idaho,” he said. “I knew I needed to get away from the concrete jungle.” A simpler life Eager to build a life in his new home, Johns immersed himself in the outdoors—hiking, climbing and exploring. He became an accomplished “caver,” discovering and mapping more than 300 caves for the Bureau of Land Management. At the same time, he worked a wide range of jobs, from cartography at the county courthouse to warehouse management, while also pursuing his talents as an artist. “I did whatever I needed to do to support my family,” he said. Spiritually, however, he was still searching. Influenced by friends, Johns spent time exploring The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While he appreciated the sincerity of those he met, he found himself wrestling with questions. “The more I studied, the more I realized it (The LDS Church) wasn’t really it,” he said. “I was looking for something consistent—something that didn’t change.” That search eventually led him to reconsider Catholicism, a faith he had previously heard about but never committed to exploring. His introduction came in part through online interactions and in part through his volunteer work at a local soup kitchen operated by St. Jerome Catholic Church. “I was already helping there, and I just thought to ask, ‘Do you have classes I can take?’” he said. What began as curiosity quickly became conviction. Within less than a year, Johns enrolled in formation classes and prepared to enter the Church. “It just made sense,” he said. “And more than that—it felt like home.” A new life That sense of belonging culminated at the Easter Vigil this year, when Johns was baptized, confirmed and received the Eucharist for the first time. “It was one of the most spiritual experiences I’ve ever had,” he said. “There was a warmth that covered me.” Receiving the Eucharist, he added, was especially profound. “It felt like I was in the presence of Christ,” he said. “I’ve never experienced anything like that anywhere else.” Now retired, Johns continues to live in Jerome with his wife, Jan. The couple share a Christian faith, and while health challenges have delayed Jan’s own participation in Catholic formation classes, he said she hopes to begin the process in the near future. Johns also remains deeply committed to service. He continues to help coordinate volunteers for the parish’s weekly meal program, which provides food to those in need. “I enjoy serving,” he said. “That’s something I’ve always wanted to do.” He is also considering joining the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic fraternal organization known for its charitable work and support of parish life. “With my background, that kind of brotherhood and service really appeals to me,” he said. Finding truth Looking back, Johns sees a clear thread running through his life—a gradual movement toward truth and stability after years of searching. “I think a lot of people are looking for something solid,” he said. “Something that doesn’t shift.” For him, that foundation is now firmly rooted in the Catholic faith. Reflecting on his journey, Johns said he hopes others who may be searching will remain open to where God is leading them. “He’s constantly calling us,” he said. “No matter what you’ve done, no matter where you’ve been—He wants you to come home.” After decades of exploration, Johns believes he has finally answered that call. “I just feel at home,” he said.

Diocese of Boise Seminarian Ian Willnerd shakes hands with Pope Leo XIV during a General Audience at the Vatican in January of this year. (Courtesy photo/St. Paul's Seminary, Minnesota) By Emily Woodham Staff Writer Seminarian Ian Willnerd describes his life before seminary as “normal.” “I was born and raised in Boise,” Ian said. He was baptized in St. Mark’s Parish in Boise. After a move to the east side of Boise, his family transferred to the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, where he received his First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation. But during a Sunday evening Mass, his “normal” led to the extraordinary. Seminarian Ian Willnerd, far right, is with friends, from left, Diocese of Winona-Rochester Seminarian Gabriel Rysavy, Diocese of St. Cloud Seminarians Mark Nosbush and Scott Kahler on a road trip down the Oregon Coast in August of 2025. (Courtesy photo/Ian Willnerd) “I had a profound encounter with our Lord at Mass when I was in high school,” Ian said. “I just knew the Lord was there and that He loved me.” Because of that experience, Ian wanted to be Confirmed. “I just really wanted to know God more and experience Him more,” he said. For his Confirmation saint, Ian felt drawn to choose St. Simeon, the prophet who greeted the Holy Family when the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph dedicated the Infant Jesus. He especially loved St. Simeon’s words from the passage in the Gospel of St. Luke 2:29-32: “Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word, for my eyes have seen Your salvation . . .” From left, Father Daniel Barnett, Diocese of Boise Seminarian Ian Willnerd, Archdiocese of Seattle Seminarian Evan McKenzie, Father John Murphy, SJ, and Father Patrick Baraza prepare Thanksgiving dinner at Bishop White Seminary in 2020. (Courtesy photo/Ian Willnerd) “It resonated for me because Simeon spent his whole life waiting for the Messiah. Then once he held Jesus in his arms, he basically said, ‘Lord, this is it. I can go now.’ And I think my own encounter with God in high school was like that: ‘Lord, this is what I wanted. Now, You can do whatever You want with my life.’” After his Confirmation, Ian felt an openness to do whatever God wanted of him. He began asking God, “What are You asking me to do with my life?” The idea of becoming a priest didn’t come as a demand, but as a “gentle knock on the door” of his mind, he said. His senior year of high school, he reached out to Father Caleb Vogel, who was vocations recruiter, currently vicar general, for the Diocese of Boise. Ian also met with discernment groups led by Father Nelson Cintra, who, at that time, was a seminarian serving his pastoral year at St. Paul’s Parish in Nampa. Seminarian Ian Willnerd, third from left, is with fellow seminarians, including Boise Seminarian Nathan Ribb (second from left), from Bishop White Seminary on fall mission trip to central Washington in 2022. (Courtesy photo/Ian Willnerd) “It was during that time that the question in my mind went from, ‘God, are you calling me to be a priest?’ to ‘Why are You calling me a priest?’” he said. Ian wrestled with the question of ‘why’ and fears of his ability to be a good priest, until later that fall at a youth group retreat in McCall. While there, he decided to go to the altar to receive prayer during a time of praise and worship. As soon as he knelt down, he poured out his heart to God while a youth leader prayed over him. Seminarian Ian Willnerd is with Deacon Simon Stehr of the Archdiocese of Seattle at Olympic National Park in August of 2025. Deacon Stehr will be ordained to the priesthood this year. (Courtesy photo/Ian Willnerd) “In prayer, I asked God, ‘What if I’m unhappy? What if I’m not holy enough? What if people don’t like me? What if I’m a bad preacher?’ It was a litany inside my mind that just went on for a while,” Ian explained. “Then the man who was praying over me suddenly stopped and said, ‘I think the Lord wants me to tell you to follow the path that’s been laid before you so you can help others.’” The man’s words broke through all of Ian’s fears. He felt the Lord say, “Go and be a priest.” Ian chose to attend Bishop White Seminary after his high school graduation in 2019. “It’s a smaller seminary and a really good experience. It’s where I took the initial first steps of really becoming a full-grown, Christian man.” While there, he also enjoyed aspects of campus life at Gonzaga University. His senior year of seminary he was president of the Gonzaga pro-life club. In the fall of 2023, he went to St. Paul’s Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he began his theology studies. “Picking a favorite class at St. Paul’s is almost like asking to pick your favorite children,” he said. “The classes just blend so well together: dogmatic theology, grace, fundamental theology, Mariology, Christology . . . It’s really hard to choose.” Seminarian Ian Willnerd, right, is with Father Joseph Taphorn, middle, rector at St. Paul's Seminary in Minnesota, and Seminarian Jack Tyrell, right, before the 2025 Twin Cities Marathon. (Courtesy photo/Ian Willnerd) One of the most difficult things about seminary has been realizing the call of who God wants him to be and the reality of how much he needed to grow into that call. “God made me to be so much more than I want for myself. The transformation process has been difficult at times: receiving His grace and then trying and failing and trying again.” In the process of this spiritual growth at seminary, however, the consolation of God’s love has been constant. “The best part about seminary is receiving the love of God the Father through all the difficult places in the journey. He has poured it out through the Sacraments. Also, His grace has been through the priests who have formed me and my wonderful brother seminarian brothers.” The community within seminary has been a great support, not just in growth, but also in camaraderie and fun. Outside of classes, Ian hiked, ran marathons and skied with his fellow seminarians. In January of this year, he studied in Rome. “The best part was meeting Pope Leo and being able to speak with him briefly,” Ian said. “Another major highlight was going to Bologna to visit the tomb of St. Dominic.” Ian is a member of a chapter of the Third Order Dominicans. “I have a lot of peace and feel the presence of a spiritual father when I pray with Saint Dominic. His entire life was driven by his zeal for souls and to draw souls back to the Church and to Christ.” Ian also likes passing time reading books. “I love reading and enjoy good literature. I read a good number of novels a year.” Diocese of Boise Seminarian Ian Willnerd, left, is with Diocese of Fargo Seminarian Paul Zach at the tomb of St. Dominic in Bologna, Italy. Ian has a devotion to St. Dominic and is a member of a chapter of Third Order Dominicans. (Courtesy photo/Ian Willnerd) Stories, he said, help shape how a person sees life. “It’s good to approach your life as in a wonderful adventure story. Your life is a gift from God, and God has so many surprises in store for you. Also if we think about the best adventure novels or movies, the quest is great, and it’s also difficult. There are challenges along the way, but we have to embrace the plan that God has revealed to us through our prayer and the events and people in our lives.” Seminarian Ian Willnerd holds the paschal candle at Easter Vigil in 2025 at the Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church in Saint Paul with Father Rolf Tollefson, center, and Deacon Don Tienter, right. (Courtesy photo/Ian Willnerd) Men who are considering seminary have nothing to fear, Ian said, because God is with them in the adventure of their lives and in their discernment. “God loves you all along the way. He will lift you up when you’re done, and you’ll find that He’s most present when you are hurting the most. His faithfulness in seminary is how you know that He will sustain you in your priestly vocation.” Ian’s ordination to the transitional diaconate is at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27 during a Mass celebrated by Bishop Peter Christensen at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Boise. Following his ordination to the transitional diaconate, Ian will serve at St. Mary’s Parish and St. Augustine’s Student Center and Parish in Moscow. His time during the academic year will be spent between classes at St. Mary’s, St. Augustine’s and St. Paul’s Seminary.