In high school, Father Ruprecht enjoyed outdoor activities. In addition to playing football, he said, “I was very actively into hunting and fishing. At that time, faith was not as important to me.”
After graduation from the public schools of Eden Valley-Watkins, he studied accounting at St. John’s University, earned his license for Certified Public Accounting and worked as an accountant. Along the way, he said, at a Together Encountering Christ retreat, a few things opened his eyes to faith.
“The Holy Spirit called me to think about God and incorporate prayer practices into my life,” Father Ruprecht said. “I started attending church more regularly. The preaching by the priest and the reverence that he showed during Mass spoke to me. The witness of the priest allowed the Holy Spirit to work through me. Ordinary participation in parish life and in the sacraments led to my conversion and a devotion to the Eucharist — this was about a year after graduating from college.”
Upon entering St. Paul Seminary, he was pleased at the welcome — the staff, professors, priests, peers. While his fellow seminarians came from a wide variety of backgrounds, they’d all received an invitation from the Lord.
“One of the goals of the seminary is developing a prayer routine and I established a habit of a Holy Hour and a daily rosary. From that I’ve gained a lot of confidence and trust in the Lord,” Father Ruprecht said.
“Being a disciple first is living out the union with Christ. How we do that is through prayer — continuing to foster and grow both in personal prayer and communal prayer. We learn more about our faith, continue to grow in service to others and seek opportunities to be a witness to Christ through our charity to others.”
His teaching parishes were in Milaca, Foreston, Mora and Ogilvie, which are the Four Pillars in Faith Area Catholic Community. As a transitional deacon, Father Ruprecht enjoyed preaching homilies and was gratified in having parishioners respond to his preaching and teaching. One highlight was baptizing his niece.
He worked with Father Derek Wiechmann, now pastor of parishes in the Spirits and Saints Area Catholic Community.
Father Wiechmann said, “As Dan would visit the parishes during his time in seminary, I noticed right away a desire to be connected with the Holy Spirit. I witnessed this through his desire to pray with people and truly bring healing and peace to their lives. He also has a zeal for bringing the faith to all. He quickly set up classes throughout one summer on the seven sacraments. Father Dan’s love for Jesus is inspiring.”
Father Ruprecht will serve as parochial vicar of parishes in Alexandria, Belle River and Osakis, which comprise the Come to the Water Area Catholic Community.
“Spending six years in the seminary took me away from traditional parish life, so I’m excited to be able to celebrate Mass, to be with people and minister to them full time. I’m very much looking forward to that,” Father Ruprecht said.
“Christ is always the center of our faith. It is so important to keep him in the center when we are facing discernment and when challenges arrive, and even when things are going well.”