New priests find awe, joy in their busy lives

This article first appeared in The True Voice magazine, a printed publication of the Archdiocese of Omaha. Copies of the magazine are available through parishes, or you can download it here.

With a few months of priesthood under their belts, Fathers Will Targy, Logan Hepp and Brian Hula shared their initial experiences of living their priestly vocation.

FATHER LOGAN HEPP
Associate pastor, St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Omaha

Father Hepp likens the learning curve of ministering to the more than 3,000 families at St. Vincent de Paul to a summer memory.

“I described it to one friend as being a kid in the deep end of the wave pool without a tube. It’s still fun; it’s a wave pool. But every
once in a while you feel like, well, I’m going to have to go underwater here just to stay afloat in some way.”

Being assigned with a pastor he already knew and trusted – Father Andrew Roza, a former vocations director – has helped. Parishioners, too, have been welcoming and supportive.

“It didn’t even take that long for these people to win my heart,” he said. “I’m excited to be theirs and for them to be mine.”

Celebrating Mass has been his favorite part of being a priest. “To be the one holding the unconsecrated bread, and then to put it back down on the paten after the elevation and realize that’s not bread – that’s Jesus. That’s a powerful moment.”

FATHER WILL TARGY
Associate pastor, Holy Spirit Catholic Parishes: Holy Trinity in Hartington, St. Peter in Newcastle, St. Joseph in Ponca, St. Michael in Coleridge, St. Jane Frances de Chantal in Randolph, St. Mary of the Seven Dolors in Osmond and St. Paul in Plainview

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Rural life is new for Father Targy, who grew up in the suburb of Bellevue.

He said he’s “enjoying the community and the culture and the values present in our rural communities. It’s been a lot of fun as I learn the ropes of rural parish life.”
The strong Catholic roots of the European immigrants who founded the parishes are evident, Father Targy said, as well as a deep agrarian faith.

“When so many people rely on the gifts that God pours out, all of those things that are not in anybody’s control” – such as favorable weather – “there’s a reliance on God’s providence.”

That comes naturally in rural communities and serves as a beautiful foundation for the life of faith, he said.

Getting to know the people of each parish has been exciting and challenging.

Alongside his pastor, Father Kevin Vogel, Father Targy is focusing on being present as much as possible. As priests they are called to serve and happy to do it, he said.

“We’re grateful for the life that God has called us to and the graces that He has given us to live the Gospel, share the Gospel and walk with His holy people in this life as we prepare for the life of Heaven.”

FATHER BRIAN HULA
Associate pastor, Heart of Jesus Catholic Parishes: Sacred Heart and St. Mary in Norfolk, St. Peter in Stanton, St. Leonard in Madison, St. Patrick in Battle Creek and St. Joseph in Pierce

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Celebrating the sacraments – especially the Eucharist and Confession – has been the greatest joy for Father Hula.

“That has to be at the center of my life as a priest,” Father Hula said.

“And it is. I can honestly say that the highlight of my day … is to celebrate Mass. That’s when I’m closest to Jesus and all the saints.”

Ministering to the Hispanic population “has been a great joy as well,” he said. These parishioners have “a particular devotion to the Eucharist, devotion to Our Lady, just a love for the Church,” Father Hula said. “It’s been beautiful to be in the middle of that now as a priest serving them.”

“Parish life is full,” Father Hula said. “There’s a lot of moving pieces, a lot that I’m trying to do, really pouring myself out.”

While it’s challenging, it’s worth the cost, he said.

“I’m enjoying this life the Lord has called me to. It’s already fruitful, and I trust there will be more good things and more fruitfulness to come.”

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