Father Seth Skjervheim joins “band of brothers” as a newly ordained priest

On June 1, Bishop John Folda ordained Seth Skjervheim as a priest at Sts. Anne and Joachim in Fargo. Since the Cathedral of St. Mary is still undergoing renovations, faithful gathered in south Fargo for this joyous occasion.

In his homily during the ordination Mass, Bishop John Folda said the call to the priesthood is a “beautiful mystery of our Lord’s love for his Church, and indeed for the world…. the ordained priesthood is a singular invitation that our Lord offers to certain of his followers to participate even more closely in his saving work. The priest is called from among men, not because he is more talented than others, but because God has chosen him in the mystery of his divine plan.”

In his homily, Bishop Folda drew inspiration from the TV series Band of Brothers about American soldiers who fought together throughout World War II, forging “a bond through suffering, danger, and duty.” Bishop Folda called the priesthood its own “band of brothers,” united in the Eucharist. 

“[Priests] too are a band of brothers engaged in a great cause, not just winning a war but building the Kingdom of God. They have all the human weaknesses that we all have, but they are strong in the person of Christ…. [This] band of brothers stretches back to the first followers of Christ, who heard his voice at the seashore. With them, you will be a witness to the words and deeds of Jesus, especially to the mystery of his death and resurrection.”

Father Skjervheim celebrated his first Mass on June 2 at St. Alphonsus in Langdon, his home parish. He now serves as parochial vicar of St. Michael’s in Grand Forks.
 
 
Father Seth Skjervheim
 
1.       Where are you from? Who are your parents and siblings?
I am from Langdon, ND. My parents are Don and Kathy. I have two siblings, Paul and Kayla. Both of them are older.
 
2.       What kind of support for your vocation did you receive from family and friends?
My family and friends were all very supportive of my vocation. 
 
3.       When did you first hear the call to the priesthood? When did that call become more real to you?
I first had thoughts of priesthood at a very young age, somewhere in the neighborhood of 3 or 4 years old. As I would go to mass on Sundays with my family, something about what the priest was doing seemed attractive to me, and as much as a 3- or 4-year-old can want anything, I wanted to do that when I grew up. That desire would come and go as I grew older, usually resurfacing after a major faith event such as Confirmation in 3^rd grade, or different youth events during middle and high school. The final resurfacing that led me to enter seminary occurred in my junior and senior years of college, after attending a FOCUS conference and getting more involved in the Newman Center.
 
4.       What are your thoughts/feelings leading up to your ordination?
In the lead up to ordination, I had a mix of emotions. There was plenty of excitement, but also some uneasiness about what was to come, as I think is usual for any major life change.
 
5.       What are you most looking forward to as you begin your ministry?
I most look forward to serving the people of God as a priest, particularly celebrating the sacraments with and for them. 
 
6.       What advice do you have for others discerning their vocation to priesthood/religious life/marriage?
If there’s any advice that I can think of, it’s to draw as near to God as you can through a life of prayer nourished by the Eucharist and the sacrament of reconciliation. If you do that, he will make clear to you how he wants you to give your life.