Seminarian Attracted To The Beauty, Sacrifice, Adventure Of The Priesthood
Tyler Tenbarge
Theology I
St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology
Education and Formation
What schools or institutions have been part of your education?
I entered seminary in January 2009 at Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary in Indianapolis. I took classes and was involved on campus at Marian University where I graduated in May 2012. Before college seminary, I traveled with the National Future Farmers of America organization and attended Sts. Peter and Paul Elementary, Haubstadt Community and Gibson Southern high schools.
What other formation programs or processes have you completed?
I studied in Rome for the Spring 2011 semester at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas — popularly known as “The Angelicum.” This past summer, I went to Omaha, Neb., to participate in the Institute for Priestly Formation. Both of these programs were tremendous blessings!
Where are you this fall?
I am at St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in my first year of Theology as of August 2012.
Your Vocation
Who — or what — affirms you as a seminarian?
The biggest supporters often come from the most unexpected places. Yes, my family, friends and parish community give inspiring and undeserved prayers and other support. Other people like the Good Shepherd Knights of Columbus and their whole parish and school, my co-workers and friends from FFA, and people I meet in airports or at ball games who offer unexpected words of encouragement all affirm and strengthen my discernment.
What area of priestly ministry is most attractive?
So much of the priestly life of service is attractive: spending time with families on the most joyful and the most challenging moments, speaking with enthusiastic youth about vocations or growing in relationship with Christ, becoming poor with the poor . . . Priesthood, modeled after the life of Jesus Christ, is just beautiful!! How could a young man not be attracted to such beauty, sacrifice, adventure and love?
Your Future
What are your thoughts on the importance of preaching?
Preaching is integral. Jesus commissioned all of us to go out to all the world and spread the Good News. Each of us heeds this call by our ordinary, daily actions, and a priest has a unique opportunity and duty to help us see how to help form our daily actions to the greatness the Gospel calls us to love.
How do you view the role of technology in your ministry?
Though technology can distract and cannot replace the real presence of personal encounter, there are many good things it offers. I was able to share experiences in Europe on my You Tube e-mail, and I’ve been a part of our online faith-based book club and may save time with phone calendars, GPS, etc. for the ministry on home life. I think we have only begun to tap into the benefits of technology in ministry.
How do you view the role of the priest in supporting vocations?
The priest, like the family, is central in supporting vocations. All of us are called to walk with anyone discerning his or her call. Those called to marriage often have good models in their parents and other family members. Priests and religious are critical models and encouragers for those who — often reluctantly — are discerning celibate, chaste lives.
What qualities do you think most people want to see in a diocesan priest?
I think people want a good listener; someone who keeps his word and does his best. We all want honest, humble and holy people in our lives, and priests, like all of us, are called to nothing less. In the end, we all want love, to encounter our God who is love, and priests who are most able to witness to this love by simply being themselves: attentive, humble, prayerful . . . like Christ.
