Seminarian Profile: Tim Hepner

Do your family and friends think it is a good idea that you're becoming a priest?
Most of my family and friends, even the ones who aren't Catholic, are very supportive of what I'm doing, which surprises me in some cases. Many of them don't completely understand it, but inasmuch as they do, they support it.

Do you ever have any fun? What do you do in your free time?
No, God doesn't like fun. Of course I have fun. I try to spend my free time just hanging out with friends, reading, exercising, watching movies, or hiking outside in the bluffs.

If you were not a priest, what do you think you would be?
I would probably want to teach high school English. I don't know if it would be possible, but I've also thought about being a screenwriter.

How many brothers and sisters do you have?
I have two sisters and seven brothers.

What is your favorite TV program?
The one that comes on about every month or so where the main character is always like, "This is a test of the Emergency Broadcast System. This is only a test..." I really like the plot development on that show No, seriously, I might have to say the Simpsons, but I like stuff on the Discovery Channel too.

Who is your favorite singer or music group?
Sufjan Stevens

Do you ever get bored while studying to be a priest?
It depends on whose homily I'm listening to. But really, I've never really gotten bored that easily, and I'm kept pretty busy, but every once in awhile I will get a little restless.

How is a seminary different than a regular school?
There is a clear goal of formation and discernment for the priesthood in seminary. There is also a very visible and important fraternity that exists among the brother seminarians. The functions we attend, the schedule of prayer, and the talks are all very obviously different than anything you could find outside seminary.

How often do you see your family?
During the school year, every month or two. If I don't have a summer assignment, I live with them during the summer. If I do have a summer assignment, I'll see them every few weeks.

Can you really be happy as a priest since priests don't make much money?
Absolutely. No one wants money for money's sake. They want it for the things it can buy. I'm satisfied by my relationship with Christ and Mary and with other people, so any kind of inordinate desire for money just wouldn't make sense anyway.

How often do you pray?
I pray in a formal way every few hours--include the rosary, the Divine Office, and the Mass. I try to be as conscious of Jesus as I can as often as possible, which is just another way of saying that I try to "pray always" as St Paul says to do.

Who helped you decide to become a priest?
I was very influenced by a parish priest when I was younger, and by a lot of subsequent priests whom I met. I also had a lot of support from many of the older people in my parish and from my parish youth group. I ultimately made the decision to join the seminary after talking to the vocations director of the diocese when I was in high school.

When did you decide to study to be a priest? How did you know God was calling you to be a priest?
I had been thinking about it since I was nine years old, and it the desire never really left me (despite all the times I turned away from God). It all happened very gradually and subtly, but a lot of retreats and different spiritual events helped me move towards where I'm at and to finally make the decision to come to the seminary when I was in high school. I am still not completely certain that God is calling me to be a priest--part of being in the seminary is the discernment of that call--but the closer I get to him, the more I see my desires matching up with what the priesthood is: service to others, ministering the sacraments, total dedication of one's life to Jesus, and the role of preaching and teaching the Gospel. So, in short, I know because He has put it in my heart.

What do you think the best thing will be about being a priest?
Definitely administering the Sacraments. Showing the mercy that Christ showed me to other people. That's what a priest has to live for.