News

New priest considered vocation at young age

By Jeff Kurowski
Compass Assistant Editor

"It is something I've prepared for my whole life. It's an unbelievable feeling."

That's how Fr. Andy Kysely described Saturday's ordination to the priesthood at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay. For Fr. Kysely, the day marked a destination on a faith journey that began at a young age.

	Related articles in this issue: • Bridging the Gap by Bishop Zubik -- For them, we are grateful • Three join order of priesthood at Cathedral (includes photo) • Why I want to be a priest (Fr. Ben Sember) • New priest said friendship started vocation (Fr. Ben Sember) • New priest ready to let God work (Fr. Joel Sember)
	Previous articles: from June 22, 2007 issue: • Bishop to ordain three from August 25, 2006 issue: • Three take next step on path (includes photo) August 11, 2006 issue: • Three seminarians will be ordained as deacons (includes photos of the three men) April 29, 2005 issue: • 'Like a herd of sheep, all hungry for pasture' (by Ben Sember) • Smoke became the main topic in Rome (by Joel Sember) April 15, 2005 issue: • Seminarians among faithful to mourn pope June 25, 2004 issue: • Celibacy is a great treasure for the church and for others (by Ben Sember) January 9, 2004 issue: • How one person made a difference for a seminarian August 9, 2002 issue: • 'Seeing the pope was best part of whole trip' (by Joel Sember) January 11, 2002 issue: • How Scripture guides our seminarians April 13, 2001 issue: • 'I had to check priesthood' (Ben Sember) December 8, 2000 issue: • Sacraments attract seminarian (Joel Sember)

Fr. Kysely first recalls thinking about the priesthood as a six-year-old growing up in Okauchee, a small town near Oconomowoc in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. His childhood pastor, Fr. John Francis Murphy of St. Joan of Arc Parish, served as a strong role model.

"He was always very supportive," said Fr. Kysely. "He encouraged me when I was very young to think about priesthood. I lived very close to my home parish, so I would serve at Mass every Sunday and often during the week, so I got to know him quite well. That experience provided early inspiration to become a priest."

Fr. Kysely offered his first Mass of Thanksgiving for Fr. Murphy who died in October of 2005.

"He had been ill," said Fr. Kysely. "He told me two weeks before he died, 'If I don't make it to your ordination, I will be looking down on you that day.'"

Fr. Kysely credits his parents, Winfred and Colette Kysely, for being "the first and most important teachers of my faith." Fr. Kysely is the 10th of 12 children. Being from a large family gives him good perspective as a priest, he said.

"My parents always provided for us," he said. "We always had what we needed, but we certainly didn't have a fancy car or luxuries such as a boat. Growing up in a large family, I learned to live more simply. Living more simply is a part of my priesthood. I'm not concerned with having the best of the best of everything."

Education first brought Fr. Kysely to the Diocese of Green Bay. He graduated from Silver Lake College in Manitowoc, where he majored in religious studies and philosophy. While in college, he became involved in area parishes. He taught religious education at Sacred Heart Parish, sang in the choir and served as a cantor at St. Mary Parish, and lived in residence his last year and a half of college at Holy Innocents Parish, where he assisted the religious education program.

Following graduation, he served for two years as director of religious education at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Sun Prairie in the Diocese of Madison.

"It was a great experience to get away from school for awhile, but the priesthood was something that was always on my mind," said Fr. Kysely. "I put it on the back burner, but God didn't let me forget about it."

Fr. Doug LeCaptain, then vocations director for the Diocese of Green Bay, kept in touch with him.

"He had contacted me and asked me where I was at with things," said Fr. Kysely. "We had a nice chat. I wouldn't be here (Diocese of Green Bay) today without him. He has been a great inspiration to me and has been very supportive."

This past year, Fr. Kysely completed his parish internship at St. Josaphat in Oshkosh. His first priestly appointment is parochial vicar at Annunciation, St. Joseph, St. Jude and St. Patrick parishes on Green Bay's west side.

"I look forward to being with the people, ministering through the sacraments and celebrating Mass," he said. "I think I'm a good listener. I love to be with people and I think I have a good sense of humor."

"I understand there will be great challenges," he added. "The gospel is a challenge. It's there to be a challenge. Maybe the challenges of God's Word make it all the more worthwhile when it touches our lives."

Fr. Kysely said his experience at Mundelein Seminary prepared him well for the priesthood, but he knows he doesn't have all the answers.

"One thing I've definitely learned is I don't know everything," he said, "but I know not to be afraid to ask questions. If I don't know something, I will find the answer. It's a humbling experience and I definitely don't look at myself as a super human being by any means. I just want to serve the people and bring them closer to the Lord."