Our Seminarians

Zane Pekron

Home Parish: St. Mary’s Parish in Milesville

 

What is your favorite book? Death Rides a Chestnut Mare By: Ralph Compton

 

What is your favorite movie? Chisum Featuring John Wayne

 

What is your favorite band? I do not have one favorite band but some of the ones that I like best are Diamond Rio, Skillet, and Montgomery Gentry.

What do you do for fun? I enjoy riding horses, target shooting, and popping my 12 foot stock whip.

Who is your favorite Saint? My favorite saint is my confirmation saint which is St. Sebastian.

What high school did you attend? I attended Philip High School and I graduated in the spring of 2011.

What year did you enter the seminary? I entered IHM Seminary in Winona, MN in the fall of 2011.

What did you do prior to seminary entrance?

I was in school in prior to this summer and then during this summer I worked at home for my Dad on our family’s ranch.

What influenced your decision to enter the seminary?

I was influenced to join the seminary for I did not and still do not know what God is calling me to do with my life and I was told and I believe that the seminary is the best place to go in order to discern what God is calling you to in life.

Who did you talk to about your calling?

I talked with my vocations director Father Kevin Achbach the most about not knowing what God was calling me to and he gently got me steered in the right direction towards the seminary. I have no regrets about going to the seminary for it is a good way for me to get closer to God.

Why do you want to be a priest?

I am not sure if I am called to be a priest yet or not but I know that no matter what the Lord calls me to be if I follow his guidance then I will find true happiness in all that I do.

What did your family and friends think about your decision to enter the seminary?

My family has been especially supportive of my decision to go into the seminary. They have been the driving force that has helped me to get this far and to keep me from shying away from coming here on the days when I was looking for a reason to run away from coming to the seminary.

How familiar were you with seminary before applying?

I had visited the seminary twice before I applied to come to IHM. As well as I had talked with my vocations director about it and he had told me about IHM and what he knew about it from speaking with the seminarians from our diocese that are there currently and the seminarians that have gone on to theology school.

 

What do you like about the seminary the most?

I love the community for the guys here have been very supportive and helpful in getting me used to life away from home as well as life in the seminary. It would have been a lot harder and it would take a lot longer for me to get settled in without their help.

What advice would you give to a young man thinking about the seminary?

I would say that if you are unsure as to what God is calling you to do with your life then you should consider coming to the seminary and talk to your vocations director about your feelings. For if you are not called to be a priest then you will come to know that through the discernment process here at the seminary. I would also say to not be afraid for the Lord will not lead you astray. The Lord only wants to draw us closer to himself and seminary is the place to do that for even those who come to the seminary and do not become priests they develop a much closer relationship with God and it will allow you to better know yourself as a person and where you are called to in life.