As  I have shared my own vocation story over the years and pondered it in relation to the stories of so many others, I always seem to find myself saying that my call to the priesthood came into my life very early in very quiet and strong ways, something that God ultimately plants in your heart.

I was born in November of 1949 to Richard and Helen Lantsberger.  My parents both grew up on farms in the area surrounding Watertown, near Castlewood and Kranzburg, respectively, and have been residents of Watertown and members of Immaculate Conception Parish for many years.  I grew up in Watertown, as one of eight children, having one brother and six sisters.  We attended Immaculate Conception School, and were given the foundations of faith in our family and through the school.  I have many great memories of those years of growing up in Watertown, and being part of a loving family, and attending school.  For me, the call to priesthood never came in one dramatic moment, but seemed to be a seed that God had planted in my heart.  That seed was nurtured in many ways, such as my parents' faith and their love and respect for the Church.  It was nourished through my contact with our parish priests and the interest I felt in what they were doing.  The idea grew strong through my contact with my uncle, Fr. Jim Lantsberger, who is an Oblate priest.  The idea of being a priest was within me very early on, and it just seemed to follow a natural progression as the years went by.

The idea of a vocation became stronger in my junior high years, and it was at that time that I attended Vocations Camp at Blue Cloud Abbey for two years in a row.  There, amidst the usual camp activities, we were given encouragement to explore the idea of being a priest, and I remember one of the priests there specifically encouraging me to think about it.  Looking back on that, I can see how important it is for all of us to encourage vocations, and to tell a young person that it is a great thing to do, and that it might be a possibility for them.
After these camps, I attended an information day at the Minor Seminary in Sioux Falls, and subsequently entered the Minor Seminary there.  I attended O'Gorman High School for three years, and lived at the Minor Seminary, coming home often on weekends, and all summer.  Following high school, I continued my studies at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, Minnesota, and then went on to theology at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul until I was ordained with six other men from the Sioux Falls diocese in June of 1976.  All through this time, I was blessed with tremendous support from my parents and family who encouraged my vocation, but also let me know that I had their love and support, no matter which path I chose.  That kind of support gives a vocation a very freeing atmosphere in which to grow.

Since ordination my ministry has taken me to a number of parishes.  I spent two years as an associate pastor in Pierre, and then went to Sacred Heart Parish in Aberdeen as an assistant for four more years.  In 1982, I became pastor of the parishes in Plankinton and Stickney, and later became pastor of St. Michael's in Mt. Vernon.  In 1986 I became pastor of St. Thomas Parish in Madison, where I spent eight years.  That has let me to my current assignment, again at Sacred Heart in Aberdeen, where I have been since January of 1994.  I have enjoyed parish ministry very much, and always was drawn to that part of priestly work, long before I was ordained.  I have a book that I read in grade school, about Fr. John Marie Vianney, the parish priest of Ars.  I remember being fascinated with his story, and about being a parish priest, and I am grateful for 22 years of being able to share in that ministry thus far.

Priesthood, and the call to it are a special gift!  That call will be experienced in many different ways, according to the Lord's plan for our lives.  I am so very grateful for all the circumstance of my life, especially being blessed with a loving family, and parents who place a priority on faith and the Church.  It is in that garden of faith that the seed of a  vocation can grow.  In all the years following my ordination, family has continued to play an important part, and I have developed an extended family of so many parishioners that have blessed my life.  It would be impossible to recount here all the blessings that have already been received, in over 22 years of ministry.

I will always have a special place in my heart, for my home parish of Immaculate Conception.  My faith journey began there with my baptism, and I was also privileged to be confirmed there, and celebrate my First Mass there.  The witness of faith that so many of you have given, and continue to give, have been an important part of my faith life and vocation.  The Watertown area has blessed the Church with many vocations, both priestly and religious, and can be justly proud of the support and encouragement that you have given to these men and women.  God's blessing to each and all of you!
 

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