Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin (USA), OFFICE OF VOCATIONS

A day in the life of a diocesan priest

By Joseph O'Brien, Assistant Editor

LA CROSSE - What is a typical day like in the life of a Diocesan priest?

One way to answer this question is to look at the schedules of two priests - Father Samuel Martin, director of the Holy Cross Seminary House of Formation and chaplain at Aquinas High School, La Crosse, and Father Joseph Diermeier, pastor of St. Mary's Church, Marathon, and dean of the Wausau deanery.

Father Diermeier was ordained in 1978 and Father Martin in 1999. Both deny that they ever enjoy a "typical" day in their lives.

"There are a few things that remain constant from day to day," Father Diermeier explained. "However, as I imagine to be true for any pastor, there are always things that enter into the day's activities that are not necessarily planned."

Likewise, Father Martin noted, "One of the hallmarks of the diocesan priesthood is the incredible variety that spices each day. It's hard to know what to expect at the beginning of any given day - they're all so different."

The two priests' schedules are:

Father Joseph Diermeier (Tuesday or Wednesday Schedule)
5:40 a.m. Rise and enjoy personal time
7:15 a.m. Say Morning Prayer with parishioners and prepare for Mass.
8:00 a.m. Celebrate Holy Mass.
9:20 a.m. Teach 8th grade religion class in the grade school.
10:00 a.m. Visit/teach one of the grade school classes from K-7.
10:40 a.m. Attend to mail, phone calls, communications with various staff.
Midday Take time for prayer, exercise, and music.
Afternoon When possible, visit hospitals, nursing homes or homebound parishioners.
Late afternoon Pray Vespers followed by meditation (spiritual reading).
Early evening Attend meetings and appointments.
Late evening Enjoy free time, complete correspondence, visit friends and pray the rosary.

Father Samuel Martin (Monday)
4:45 a.m. Wake up, check e-mail and enjoy personal time.
5:10 a.m. Shower and shave.
5:30 a.m. Say private prayer in the Chapel.
6:20 a.m. Say Morning Prayer with seminarians.
6:30 a.m. Enjoy breakfast and read the paper.
6:55 a.m. Depart for Aquinas High School.
7:10 a.m. Prepare for Mass and classes.
7:25 a.m. Celebrate Mass at AHS.
7:55 a.m. Lead opening prayer at AHS.
8:00 a.m. Teach (5 sections; 40 minute courses).
12:30 p.m. Visit students in the lunchroom and wrap up loose ends.
1:00 p.m. Head back to seminary to do office work.
3:00 p.m. Pray the rosary in front of Options for Reproductive Health in La Crosse.
4:30 p.m. Lift weights at AHS.
5:45 p.m. Vespers and dinner with seminarians.
6:30 p.m. School-related work in office.
7:00 p.m. Attend extracurricular events, meetings or pastoral events.
8:00 p.m. Say Compline.
9:30 p.m. Wind down (e.g. shoot pool with seminarians).
10:30 p.m. Try to be in bed, asleep.

Published in the Catholic Times, January 8, 2004

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2002-2004. Office of Vocations, Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin (USA). Questions and Comments? Contact The Administrator.