Deacon Droste Preparing To Make The Event Of The Gospel Present, Active
Christopher Droste
Transitional Deacon to be ordained to the priesthood June 8, 2013
St. Meinrad School of Theology
E-mail: cdroste@saintmeinrad.edu
Birthday: May 10, 1980
Home Parish: St. James, Haubstadt
Parents: Rita and Jack Droste, Evansville
Education and Formation
When and where did you begin formal study to the priesthood?
I began my formal studies for the priesthood at Marian University in the fall of 2007 until fall 2008. I studied abroad at the University of St. Thomas (Angelicum) in the spring of 2009. I am currently studying theology at St. Meinrad. My formal education began at St. James Church in Haubstadt and continued through high school at Mater Dei. I have also studied at the University of Evansville and USI.
What other formation programs or processes have you completed?
Pastoral internship at St. Joseph, Jasper in summer 2012. Clinical Pastor Experience at the University of Chicago Medial Center in the summer of 2011. Parish internship at Sacred Heart in Vincennes and St. Philip Neri in Bicknell, in the summer of 2010.
What’s next? What education or formation do you expect to achieve before ordination?
I expect to complete seminary formation and graduate with a Master of Divinity (MDiv) from St. Meinrad.
Your Vocation
Who — or what — affirms you as a seminarian?
All of the prayers and sincere expressions of gratitude that I receive from people in the Evansville Diocese.
What area of ordained ministry is most attractive?
Being free to live a life totally devoted to Christ and serving the Church.
Your Future
Looking ahead to life as a priest in the Diocese of Evansville, God willing, what are your thoughts on the following areas:
The importance of preaching.
To make the event of the Gospel present and active in the lives of those who have ears to hear it.
Ministry in a cluster parish. What have you heard? What do you expect?
Previously distinct communities will be called to unite and share a pastor and different aspects of parish life. I expect that this will be challenging but necessary for the growth and renewal of our local church.
The role of technology, if any, in assisting with your ministry.
Technology is a good tool for simplifying tasks and enhancing communication. It can be an effective means of evangelization if it isn’t misused or sought as an end in itself.
The role of the priest in supporting vocations.
The priest’s role in supporting vocations is to live out his own vocation with authenticity and joy — to be an attractive witness to the priestly life. He also should be active in proposing the call to young men who may express potential for the priesthood.
Qualities of a good priest. What qualities do you think most people want to see in a diocesan priest?
The personal qualities of a good priest are compassion, humility, joy and an openness toward reality that allows him to be present to others, especially in their time of need. I think most people would say basically the same thing, although perhaps in other words.
