Being part of his parish evoked wonderful memories for Father Kevin Soenneker.
“St. Paul’s was a very faithful community — we could count on the same people at Mass, creating a true Christian community. Church felt like home,” he said.
“I was a Mass server as early as 9 or 10. My mom’s friend scheduled the servers so I did a lot of the funerals and weddings in the summer. I loved to serve Mass.”
Father Soenneker also enjoyed growing up in Sauk Centre. He said, “My father had passed away from cancer when I was 2 years old, but Mom did a wonderful job raising seven kids by herself — with help from family and friends. When I was 7, she moved our family — my siblings, which included my twin brother and me — into town where we lived in a great neighborhood with kids my age to play with.”
He described the fun of being with his siblings, cousins and neighbors, including the joy of playing basketball every day at a best friend’s house two doors away.
Through attending Holy Family School in Sauk Centre, he got to know his faith, developing a familiarity with the Church at Sunday Mass and with God’s mercy in confession.
But, as a youth, Father Soenneker didn’t aspire to the priesthood.
“I didn’t know where priests came from or how they were chosen. No one talked to me about vocations — the idea of a vocations director was unheard of. For at least five years, I ran from the Lord’s calling. I told him to call someone else. He couldn’t possibly want me — I had many reasons why he wouldn’t.”
Father Soenneker graduated from Alexandria Technical College with a degree in marketing and sales and began working at Pfeffer’s County Market in Sauk Centre and then in Albany.
The Lord continued to call him — but Father Soenneker needed time.
“Our Lord was consistent in his call and worked through many people to lead me. He inspired me to go to daily Mass and eucharistic adoration after work, and to read spiritual books to draw me to a deeper relationship with him. When it came down to it I, how could I say “No” to the Lord? I was the clay and he is the potter.”
Being at seminary allowed him to travel to Mexico City, the Holy Land and Rome, but celebrating Mass in his home diocese remains a favorite.
“There is something special about worshipping God with friends, neighbors and locals in familiar churches that I love. What was amazing was that I moved away for 13 years and, when I came back, the same wonderful parishioners were there to welcome me back as a seminarian,” he said.
His teaching parishes were with Father Gregory Mastey in Holdingford, St. Anna and St. Wendel, in the Two Rivers Area Catholic Community. As a transitional deacon, he served with Father Leroy Schik at parishes in Underwood, Henning and Battle Lake.
“It was so meaningful to grieve with families at burials as well as to celebrate with other families at baptisms. Being a deacon allows for many opportunities to be Christ-like.” Father Soenneker said.
He will serve as the parochial vicar of parishes in Cold Spring, Jacobs Prairie, Richmond and Rockville, which comprise the Centered on Christ Area Catholic Community.
“I long to help bring Christ to others through the sacraments for them to see his life-changing message. He came so we can have abundant life. We are to be witnesses of Christ’s teachings by how we live our lives — in our homes, workplace and in public,” Father Soenneker said.
“My mission is: a relationship with Jesus Christ through the sacraments will change your life.”