News

One step closer to priesthood

By Jeff Kurowski
Compass Assistant Editor

	Related article: from August 17, 2007 issue: • Diaconate ordination set Saturday

"I look forward to those graces that come with ordination to help strengthen me to become a better minister," said Dan Schuster.

Bp. David Zubik ordained Schuster a transitional deacon on Saturday, Aug. 18, at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay. He was presented as a candidate by Fr. Tom Long, diocesan Vocation Director.

As a transitional deacon, he may preach, proclaim the Gospel, preside over prayer services, celebrate baptisms, weddings and funerals, and perform works of charity in the name of the bishop and the pastor. Schuster, who will serve as a deacon while completing his seminary studies, is expected to be ordained to the priesthood in June of 2008.

Schuster, an Oshkosh native, preached at Mass on Sunday, Aug. 19, at Most Blessed Sacrament Parish in Oshkosh. He said he looks forward to the opportunities to preach as a deacon. In the fall, while continuing his studies at Mundelein Seminary, Schuster will serve at St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Gurnee, Ill. He will serve at a parish in the Green Bay Diocese on weekends in the spring.

"I thank the Boy Scouts (for his public speaking skills)," said Schuster, an Eagle Scout. "I'm not scared of that. It's hard work. I wasn't always completely comfortable, which is good. I like to feed off that nervous energy. I like to look at the people to see who's out there. I try to watch their faces to know if I'm preaching the word of God in a way that reaches them. The Good News is touching my life in a profound way, and I want other people to share in that."

As a seminarian, Schuster has given vocations' talks for groups and at schools. He has also been active in music ministry.

"I'm going to miss playing the guitar and singing at Mass," he said. "I did that all summer at Camp Tekawitha."

Schuster served as a spiritual coordinator at the diocesan youth camp in Shawano.

Following graduation from Lourdes High School in 1999, Schuster did not immediately pursue the priesthood.

"I had thought about it in the seventh grade when watching the musical Godspell," he said. "There was something that hit me in a new way by watching the interaction of these characters who seemed to be doing more than acting on stage."

"I made a decision in high school that, whatever I did, I was going to serve God," he added. "It was a conscious decision, but I didn't know exactly what I was going to do."

Schuster attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, to study pharmacy. He became involved with the St. Catherine of Siena Newman Community on campus.

"That was really instrumental in keeping me close to the church," he said. "I started learning more about my faith. I took some religion classes and an ethics course. I also taught third and fourth grade religious education."

A priest in Des Moines invited Schuster to attend a vocations dinner.

"He was embarrassed to ask me," he said. "He promoted it as a free dinner before telling me it was for men who may be interested in the priesthood. I told him, 'Father, I've thought about it.'"

Schuster graduated from college in 3 ½ years with a degree in business management. Following graduation, he lived and served at Fr. (Marty) Carr's Place 2B, a multi-facility center serving the poor in Oshkosh. As a youth, Schuster had come to know Fr. Carr, who died last June 17.

"Fr. Carr was probably the most influential in showing me what it means to be a disciple," he said. "We spent a lot of time together in hands-on ministry. I did my Eagle Scout project for the Place 2B. That's where I developed that passion for continued service."

Schuster said his experience at Mundelein Seminary prepared him well for his service as a deacon.

"I arrived there not knowing all that much about philosophy or theology," he said. "It's been a great experience. I went there knowing God is calling me. It has been affirmed each and every day through great experiences and through other people. God continues to call me, and that's very humbling."

"This next year is not a mere stepping stone for me," he added. "Fr. Carr always told me, 'Danny Boy,' to be a priest, you must be a deacon first.' Service is the foundation."