I am a Milwaukee native (Wauwatosa, St. Bernard's parish, actually) and have been a priest for 23 years. When I graduated from eighth grade at St. Bernard's, I went to a boarding seminary run by the Redemptorist Fathers. Five years later, after my freshman college year with them, I entered their novitiate, intending to become a member of the Redemptorist Congregation. In 1969 I made temporary vows of Evangelical Poverty, Celibate Chastity and Obedience for a period of three years.

By the time I was ready to graduate from their seminary college, it was clear to both the Redemptorists and me that their style of community life did not suit me very well. We agreed that I would not renew my vows. My parents had been very supportive of my movement into religious life; so, when I finally worked up the courage to tell them, I was surprised at how supportive they were of my decision to leave the Redemptorists. Upon graduation I returned home to reorganize my life.

I thought I had let go of the idea of becoming a priest as well. One day, after working as a psychiatric aide in a mental hospital near my home, I asked the head psychiatrist what university he thought I should attend and what area of psychology he thought I should specialize in. This Jewish psychiatrist, who did not know my background or religion, stunned me by asking if I had ever thought of the ministry as a career!

I went to Saint Francis Seminary in Milwaukee, first as a part-time lay student, then full-time when I cut back the hours of my job at the hospital. After about 1½ years of study I asked to be admitted as a candidate in the priestly formation program. I was accepted and was ordained in 1977!

In the 23 years as a diocesan priest, I have had four assignments, each one completely different and more exciting than the last. I served as an associate pastor at St. Veronica Parish on Milwaukee's South Side for five years, was a missionary to the Dominican Republic for almost four, and served as pastor of Holy Trinity - Guadalupe Parish and organized Hispanic Ministry for six parishes in Walworth County. Now I am Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

Community organizing has been a part of most of my assignments, whether in forming a new parish in the Dominican Republic or helping people work together to confront neighborhood issues in Milwaukee's central city or the parishes of Walworth County. Even now, as Vocations Director, I am often organizing groups of volunteers, parishes, and vocation teams to promote vocations and support those pondering priesthood and religious life.

If you are thinking about priesthood or religious life, if you know someone who is and to whom I should be speaking, or if you would like to be part of a group that promotes vocations in your parish, call or e-mail me! I'd love to talk with you.

Fr. Bob Stiefvater