The Diocese of St. Cloud will have two new priests June 1 as Bishop Patrick Neary, C.S.C., ordains Deacons Daniel Ruprecht and Kevin Soenneker at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud. The ordination Mass is open to everyone.
A little about them:
Deacon Daniel Ruprecht
Hometown: Eden Valley
Family: Parents and three sisters
Home Parish: Assumption Church, Eden Valley
Teaching Parishes: Four Pillars ACC which includes St. Mary, Milaca; St. Louis Bertrand, Foreston; St. Mary, Mora; and St. Kathryn, Ogilivie
Hobbies: Fishing and hunting
Favorite Saint: St. Paul the Apostle
Favorite Prayer: Memorare
What drew you to the priesthood? After I left college, 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 was very important and allowed the Holy Spirit to work through me.
What are you most looking forward to as a priest? I’m excited to be able to celebrate Mass and to be with the people of God. Spending six years in the seminary took me away from traditional parish life, so I’m very much looking forward to being with people and ministering to them full-time.
Deacon Kevin Soenneker
Hometown: Sauk Centre
Home Parish: St. Paul Church, Sauk Centre
Family: Alice, mother, three sisters and three brothers
Teaching Parish(es): Two Rivers ACC which includes All Saints, Holdingford; St. Columbkille, St. Wendel; and Immaculate Conception, St. Anna
Hobbies: Exercising, golf, listening to podcasts, watching movies and sports
Favorite Saint: St. Padre Pio
Favorite Prayer: Hail Mary
What drew you to the priesthood? To tell you the truth, I ran from the Lord’s calling for at least five years. I felt a call but was telling the Lord to call someone else. But our Lord was consistent in his call and worked through many people to lead me.
What are you most looking forward to as a priest? Christ said, “He came so that we can have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). I believe this with my whole heart. I long to help bring Christ to others through the sacraments for them to see this life changing message.
Stay tuned for more coverage and to hear their vocation stories in upcoming news and feature stories.