Lincoln, Neb., Jun 9, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).

For parents, having the opportunity to see their children embrace the vocation to which God has called them marks the culmination of years of prayer and sacrifice. While most will see their children married, a smaller group will get to celebrate calls to the priesthood and religious life. 

Even more rare, though, is the opportunity to celebrate multiple ordinations from the same family, let alone among siblings. But as of Saturday, May 24, with the ordination of Father Isaac Wahlmeier, six families in the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska, can celebrate such a blessing.

These sets of brothers include Father Isaac Wahlmeier and his brother Father Joseph Wahlmeier, ordained in 2020, and Fathers Matthew and Jeffrey Eickhoff, who were ordained in 1989 and 1995, respectively,

For Father Isaac Wahlmeier, the opportunity to see his brother begin his journey to the priesthood was a major factor in discerning his own vocation. He said that visiting his brother Joseph when he was attending St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward, Nebraska, brought the seminary that much closer to his purview, and getting to visit Joseph while he studied in Rome was a huge “trust booster” for him. 

Likening it to the communion of saints, Father Isaac said: “Where you see the witness of one person, it’s an instrument for God to increase the trust in your own life, and the confidence you have in his will and his love for you.” 

Father Joseph was studying as a seminarian in Rome when he first heard his brother Isaac planned to enter into the seminary as well. He described his reaction to the news as being “both surprised, and not” at the same time. 

“It kind of felt like my own vocation,” he said. “I didn’t really think about being a priest, especially until college, but when the call came, it just made so much sense.”

Looking back, the brothers can see how the example that their parents, Patrick and Debbie, set for them led them to where they are today.

Married more than 45 years, Patrick and Debbie Wahlmeier are parents to 15 children and grandparents to 29 grandchildren. When Debbie donned her wedding dress all those years ago, she didn’t know that one day her son Isaac would have lace from her dress included in the albs that he would wear for his diaconate and priestly ordinations. 

“It makes me feel like a part of his dad and I will be with him at every Mass,” Debbie said. “As he does the Lord’s work, we can be with him.” 

Debbie said she’s been asked if she knew that her sons had a calling to the priesthood when they were young. Her response is that she didn’t know what God’s plan was for any of her children, but she prayed that they would find it.

As for the prayer she would pray as the mother of a seminarian? Simply this: “May God’s will be done.” 

“I don’t think a parent has the power to make a vocation or make it happen, whatever that vocation is, but let it happen. Let God make it clear to your children,” she said. 

Reflecting on Isaac’s ordination, Debbie said that she and her husband feel very blessed and see it as an affirmation of the power of the sacrament of marriage, how God blesses it and can make so much good come out of it. 

This is something that Father Isaac said he can see play out in the lives of his siblings who are married and embracing their own vocation of self-giving love. 

“That goodness that my parents have is manifested in them too, and it multiplies. By giving themselves away to their children and their families, they just become more of who they are, more of who they’re meant to be,” he said.

Father Joseph said that growing up, his parents “put him and his siblings in the near occasion of virtue,” praying the rosary together often and challenging them to serve the Lord in different ways — whether through volunteer time, attending Sky Camp, or serving at Mass, which taught them to always be ready to give of themselves. 

“I think that probably lends itself to growing in the ability to answer the call to a vocation, to hear it and know that ‘I’ll be able to give of myself in this way as well,’” he said. 

The Eickhoff brothers

This family involvement in the Church was something that Fathers Matthew and Jeffrey Eickhoff experienced growing up as well. 

The sons of Larry and Joan Eickhoff, Fathers Matthew and Jeffrey grew up members of Holy Cross Parish in Omaha. The two have an older brother who passed away three years ago and two sisters who are married with children.

“My parents were very involved in the parish and involved us kids as much as was feasible when we were small,” Father Matthew said. Sometimes that meant answering the phone at the rectory for a dollar an hour or serving as substitutes for the priest’s cook. The family always attended Mass, participated in Stations of the Cross, parish missions and retreats, and prayed the rosary together regularly. 

In addition to their shared childhood experiences and priesthood, Fathers Matthew and Jeffrey share some unique skills and interests as well. The two have a music and juggling act that they’ve performed in 20 of the diocese’s schools over the years, and they’re known for their six-course gourmet Italian meals, which have brought in thousands of dollars at auctions for Catholic institutions over the years. 

The two had the opportunity to study in Rome, where they walked to class together once a week, and they have shared in travels throughout Italy. 

Both celebrate the anniversary of their ordination on the same day, May 27, and Father Matthew said he enjoys getting to share the simple joys of the priesthood with someone as close as a brother. 

“We’ve really enjoyed sharing all of the family Catholic celebrations, like the sacraments,” Father Matthew said. “We’ve taken turns baptizing our nephews and our niece, we’ve been to their first Communions, confirmations, Catholic weddings, anniversary celebrations of our aunts and uncles, and celebrated funerals.”

Their experience might give them a glimpse of what the Wahlmeiers will experience for themselves as they live out their lives as priests and brothers.

“There’s definitely a brotherhood of priests in our diocese,” Father Joseph Wahlmeier said. “The priests are especially close… so to join that with a brother priest I think makes it all the more special. And I think it only helps grow the brotherhood of our presbyterate.”

Additional sets of brothers who have become priests in the diocese are Fathers Andrew and Christian Schwenka, ordained in 2019 and 2022; Monsignor Daniel and Fathers Mark and Leo Seiker ordained in 1987, 1984, and 1991; Fathers Evan and Dominic Winter ordained in 2016 and 2022; and Fathers Matthew and Michael Zimmer, ordained in 2011 and 2012. 

This story was first published by The Southern Nebraska Register, has been adapted by CNA, and is reprinted here with permission. 

Lincoln, Neb., Jun 9, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).

For parents, having the opportunity to see their children embrace the vocation to which God has called them marks the culmination of years of prayer and sacrifice. While most will see their children married, a smaller group will get to celebrate calls to the priesthood and religious life. 

Even more rare, though, is the opportunity to celebrate multiple ordinations from the same family, let alone among siblings. But as of Saturday, May 24, with the ordination of Father Isaac Wahlmeier, six families in the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska, can celebrate such a blessing.

These sets of brothers include Father Isaac Wahlmeier and his brother Father Joseph Wahlmeier, ordained in 2020, and Fathers Matthew and Jeffrey Eickhoff, who were ordained in 1989 and 1995, respectively,

For Father Isaac Wahlmeier, the opportunity to see his brother begin his journey to the priesthood was a major factor in discerning his own vocation. He said that visiting his brother Joseph when he was attending St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward, Nebraska, brought the seminary that much closer to his purview, and getting to visit Joseph while he studied in Rome was a huge “trust booster” for him. 

Likening it to the communion of saints, Father Isaac said: “Where you see the witness of one person, it’s an instrument for God to increase the trust in your own life, and the confidence you have in his will and his love for you.” 

Father Joseph was studying as a seminarian in Rome when he first heard his brother Isaac planned to enter into the seminary as well. He described his reaction to the news as being “both surprised, and not” at the same time. 

“It kind of felt like my own vocation,” he said. “I didn’t really think about being a priest, especially until college, but when the call came, it just made so much sense.”

Looking back, the brothers can see how the example that their parents, Patrick and Debbie, set for them led them to where they are today.

Married more than 45 years, Patrick and Debbie Wahlmeier are parents to 15 children and grandparents to 29 grandchildren. When Debbie donned her wedding dress all those years ago, she didn’t know that one day her son Isaac would have lace from her dress included in the albs that he would wear for his diaconate and priestly ordinations. 

“It makes me feel like a part of his dad and I will be with him at every Mass,” Debbie said. “As he does the Lord’s work, we can be with him.” 

Debbie said she’s been asked if she knew that her sons had a calling to the priesthood when they were young. Her response is that she didn’t know what God’s plan was for any of her children, but she prayed that they would find it.

As for the prayer she would pray as the mother of a seminarian? Simply this: “May God’s will be done.” 

“I don’t think a parent has the power to make a vocation or make it happen, whatever that vocation is, but let it happen. Let God make it clear to your children,” she said. 

Reflecting on Isaac’s ordination, Debbie said that she and her husband feel very blessed and see it as an affirmation of the power of the sacrament of marriage, how God blesses it and can make so much good come out of it. 

This is something that Father Isaac said he can see play out in the lives of his siblings who are married and embracing their own vocation of self-giving love. 

“That goodness that my parents have is manifested in them too, and it multiplies. By giving themselves away to their children and their families, they just become more of who they are, more of who they’re meant to be,” he said.

Father Joseph said that growing up, his parents “put him and his siblings in the near occasion of virtue,” praying the rosary together often and challenging them to serve the Lord in different ways — whether through volunteer time, attending Sky Camp, or serving at Mass, which taught them to always be ready to give of themselves. 

“I think that probably lends itself to growing in the ability to answer the call to a vocation, to hear it and know that ‘I’ll be able to give of myself in this way as well,’” he said. 

The Eickhoff brothers

This family involvement in the Church was something that Fathers Matthew and Jeffrey Eickhoff experienced growing up as well. 

The sons of Larry and Joan Eickhoff, Fathers Matthew and Jeffrey grew up members of Holy Cross Parish in Omaha. The two have an older brother who passed away three years ago and two sisters who are married with children.

“My parents were very involved in the parish and involved us kids as much as was feasible when we were small,” Father Matthew said. Sometimes that meant answering the phone at the rectory for a dollar an hour or serving as substitutes for the priest’s cook. The family always attended Mass, participated in Stations of the Cross, parish missions and retreats, and prayed the rosary together regularly. 

In addition to their shared childhood experiences and priesthood, Fathers Matthew and Jeffrey share some unique skills and interests as well. The two have a music and juggling act that they’ve performed in 20 of the diocese’s schools over the years, and they’re known for their six-course gourmet Italian meals, which have brought in thousands of dollars at auctions for Catholic institutions over the years. 

The two had the opportunity to study in Rome, where they walked to class together once a week, and they have shared in travels throughout Italy. 

Both celebrate the anniversary of their ordination on the same day, May 27, and Father Matthew said he enjoys getting to share the simple joys of the priesthood with someone as close as a brother. 

“We’ve really enjoyed sharing all of the family Catholic celebrations, like the sacraments,” Father Matthew said. “We’ve taken turns baptizing our nephews and our niece, we’ve been to their first Communions, confirmations, Catholic weddings, anniversary celebrations of our aunts and uncles, and celebrated funerals.”

Their experience might give them a glimpse of what the Wahlmeiers will experience for themselves as they live out their lives as priests and brothers.

“There’s definitely a brotherhood of priests in our diocese,” Father Joseph Wahlmeier said. “The priests are especially close… so to join that with a brother priest I think makes it all the more special. And I think it only helps grow the brotherhood of our presbyterate.”

Additional sets of brothers who have become priests in the diocese are Fathers Andrew and Christian Schwenka, ordained in 2019 and 2022; Monsignor Daniel and Fathers Mark and Leo Seiker ordained in 1987, 1984, and 1991; Fathers Evan and Dominic Winter ordained in 2016 and 2022; and Fathers Matthew and Michael Zimmer, ordained in 2011 and 2012. 

This story was first published by The Southern Nebraska Register, has been adapted by CNA, and is reprinted here with permission. 

Vatican City, Jun 9, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).

A total of 24 fortunate young people from around the world are participating this year in the Vatican Observatory’s summer camp, an exceptional opportunity to see “that science and faith work together.”

The camp is led by the observatory’s director, Jesuit Brother Guy Consolmagno, who during these summer months is teaching the cohort of future astronomers.

“We hope that simply living and working alongside Jesuit astronomers will be the strongest evidence that science and faith work together, and even more so, that this is a very natural collaboration,” Consolmagno told ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner.

The veteran Vatican astronomer, born in Detroit, recalled that Pope John Paul II once described faith and reason “as the two wings that lift us toward the truth.”

“I hear in Pope Leo’s comments an echo of that same intuition,” the Jesuit affirmed, referring to the pontiff’s words at a recent international bioethics conference in which he called for a science that serves the truth and that is “increasingly humane and respectful of the integrity of the human person.”

According to the director of the observatory, which is located in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, the important thing is to remember “that truth itself is the goal” and that understanding “our faith and our science is never complete, never perfect, but always worth pursuing.”

Spreading the joy of discovery

As Consolmagno sees it, astronomers have a responsibility to pass on their knowledge to the next generation.

In this context, he acknowledged that “young, fresh minds are essential to making new discoveries and creating a deeper understanding of what we discover.”

The Jesuit brother highlighted the “special” nature of the camp, as many of the students “come from the less developed world, which means we can spread the joy of discovery to places that too often don’t have the opportunity to experience it.”

He also noted that the best part of the summer school for the young people “is the opportunity to meet both their peers from around the world and to have access to the experts who teach the classes.”

“Astronomy is a small field, and meeting other astronomers personally and professionally enriches both the students and the work,” he added.

Academic ability and enthusiasm

Consolmagno indicated that this year’s 24 students were chosen from among 175 applicants, so “the decisions were not easy.”

“Our only limit is that there can be no more than two students per nation. Beyond that, we choose the students who showed the greatest promise of being able to benefit from a school like this... both for their academic ability and for their enthusiasm for living in this historic setting,” he indicated.

For many of the students, the connections they make at the Vatican Observatory allow them to enter top-tier doctoral programs around the world “and then bring this high level of scientific excellence back to their home countries.”

“We estimate that more than 80% of students continue on to professional astronomy,” he noted, adding that those who pursue other paths still benefit greatly from the experience.

The revolutionary James Webb telescope

The theme of this year’s summer school — the 19th since its first edition in 1986 — is “Exploring the Universe with the James Webb Space Telescope: The First Three Years.”

The James Webb Space Telescope was launched on Christmas Day 2021. Since it began transmitting data the following July, Consolmagno said, it “has revolutionized our understanding of the cosmos.”

Consolmagno explained that this telescope allows students to see firsthand what science is really saying and not just “the results that have been reported in the press.”

“This allows them to appreciate how important — and difficult — it can be to try to explain to the general public what we have learned,” he emphasized.

For the Vatican astronomer, this is “an ideal time to review what the Webb telescope has discovered so far and to teach what we have learned about how best to take advantage of its capabilities.”

He further pointed out that “the combination of theory and practice” is something the observatory has promoted since these courses began almost four decades ago.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Vatican City, Jun 9, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).

A total of 24 fortunate young people from around the world are participating this year in the Vatican Observatory’s summer camp, an exceptional opportunity to see “that science and faith work together.”

The camp is led by the observatory’s director, Jesuit Brother Guy Consolmagno, who during these summer months is teaching the cohort of future astronomers.

“We hope that simply living and working alongside Jesuit astronomers will be the strongest evidence that science and faith work together, and even more so, that this is a very natural collaboration,” Consolmagno told ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner.

The veteran Vatican astronomer, born in Detroit, recalled that Pope John Paul II once described faith and reason “as the two wings that lift us toward the truth.”

“I hear in Pope Leo’s comments an echo of that same intuition,” the Jesuit affirmed, referring to the pontiff’s words at a recent international bioethics conference in which he called for a science that serves the truth and that is “increasingly humane and respectful of the integrity of the human person.”

According to the director of the observatory, which is located in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, the important thing is to remember “that truth itself is the goal” and that understanding “our faith and our science is never complete, never perfect, but always worth pursuing.”

Spreading the joy of discovery

As Consolmagno sees it, astronomers have a responsibility to pass on their knowledge to the next generation.

In this context, he acknowledged that “young, fresh minds are essential to making new discoveries and creating a deeper understanding of what we discover.”

The Jesuit brother highlighted the “special” nature of the camp, as many of the students “come from the less developed world, which means we can spread the joy of discovery to places that too often don’t have the opportunity to experience it.”

He also noted that the best part of the summer school for the young people “is the opportunity to meet both their peers from around the world and to have access to the experts who teach the classes.”

“Astronomy is a small field, and meeting other astronomers personally and professionally enriches both the students and the work,” he added.

Academic ability and enthusiasm

Consolmagno indicated that this year’s 24 students were chosen from among 175 applicants, so “the decisions were not easy.”

“Our only limit is that there can be no more than two students per nation. Beyond that, we choose the students who showed the greatest promise of being able to benefit from a school like this... both for their academic ability and for their enthusiasm for living in this historic setting,” he indicated.

For many of the students, the connections they make at the Vatican Observatory allow them to enter top-tier doctoral programs around the world “and then bring this high level of scientific excellence back to their home countries.”

“We estimate that more than 80% of students continue on to professional astronomy,” he noted, adding that those who pursue other paths still benefit greatly from the experience.

The revolutionary James Webb telescope

The theme of this year’s summer school — the 19th since its first edition in 1986 — is “Exploring the Universe with the James Webb Space Telescope: The First Three Years.”

The James Webb Space Telescope was launched on Christmas Day 2021. Since it began transmitting data the following July, Consolmagno said, it “has revolutionized our understanding of the cosmos.”

Consolmagno explained that this telescope allows students to see firsthand what science is really saying and not just “the results that have been reported in the press.”

“This allows them to appreciate how important — and difficult — it can be to try to explain to the general public what we have learned,” he emphasized.

For the Vatican astronomer, this is “an ideal time to review what the Webb telescope has discovered so far and to teach what we have learned about how best to take advantage of its capabilities.”

He further pointed out that “the combination of theory and practice” is something the observatory has promoted since these courses began almost four decades ago.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Those serving the Holy See can serve its mission best by striving to live a holy life in conformity to Christ, Pope Leo XIV said.

The fruitfulness of the church, he said, "is realized in the lives of her members to the extent that they relive, 'in miniature,' what the Mother lived, namely, they love according to the love of Jesus."

"All the fruitfulness of the church and of the Holy See depends on the cross of Christ. Otherwise, it is only appearance, if not worse," he said in his homily during Mass celebrating the Jubilee of the Holy See June 9, the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church.

The Jubilee celebration included a morning meditation by Italian Sister Maria Gloria Riva, a member of the Perpetual Adoration Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, in the Paul VI Audience Hall. 

In the presence of Pope Leo and cardinals, bishops, priests and religious and lay men and women working in the Roman Curia or connected with the mission of the Holy See, she spoke about hope relying on having a healthy balance between the past and future.

It is dangerous to put too much emphasis on either the past or the future, she said. "The past, with its glory and sorrows, can represent a trampoline" with which one leaps toward "the great horizon" of eternal life.

After the meditation, Pope Leo took the wooden Jubilee cross and led those gathered in a procession into St. Peter's Square toward the basilica and through the Holy Door. He then celebrated Mass in St. Peter's Basilica. 

In his homily, the pope underlined the connection between the mission of the church and Mary as mother of the church.

"The fruitfulness of the church is the same fruitfulness as Mary's; it is realized in the lives of her members" to the extent that they love, like Mary, according to the love of Jesus, he said.

The fruitfulness of the church and the Holy See depends on the cross of Christ, he said. "In fact, the fruitfulness of Mary and of the church are inextricably linked to their holiness, which is their conformity to Christ."

"The Holy See is holy as the church is holy, in her original core, in the very fabric of her being," Pope Leo said. "The Apostolic See thus preserves the holiness of its roots while being preserved by them."

However, the Holy See also "lives in the holiness of each of its members. Therefore, the best way to serve the Holy See is to strive for holiness, each according to his or her particular state of life and the work entrusted to him or her," he said. 

"For example, a priest who personally carries a heavy cross because of his ministry, yet every day goes to the office and tries to do his job to the best of his ability with love and faith, this priest participates and contributes to the fruitfulness of the church," he said. "Similarly, a father or mother of a family who lives in a difficult situation at home, with a child who is cause for concern or a sick parent, and continues his or her work with commitment, that man or woman is fruitful with the fruitfulness of Mary and of the church."

Just as Mary supported the ministry of the Apostle Peter, "the mother church supports the ministry of Peter's successors with the Marian charism," he said. This Marian aspect, "with its motherhood, gift of Christ and of the Spirit," ensures the fruitfulness and holiness of the Petrine ministry, he said.

"Dear friends, let us praise God for his Word, the lamp that guides our steps, even in our daily life at the service of the Holy See," he said, praying that God's church, "sustained by the love of Christ, may be ever more fruitful in the Spirit, exult in the holiness of her children, and draw to her embrace all the whole human family."

- - -

Reporting by CNS Rome is made possible by the Catholic Communication Campaign. Give to the CCC special collection in your diocese or any time at: https://bit.ly/CCC-give

A friend once said to me, “You seem to have your act together on the fatherhood front. What’s your secret?” I was surprised and taken aback because I don’t think I have my act together at all. And I don’t mean that out of false humility. I pray every day to be a better husband […]

The post Dads: Do We Have Our Act Together? appeared first on Integrated Catholic Life™.

But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection, they neither marry nor are given in marriage” As a Catholic speaker, I’m privileged to meet young adults grappling with profound questions about identity, love, and their place in the Church. One encounter […]

For many Catholics, exorcism is exciting. While odd at first blush, fighting Satan is, after all, the saintly glory we all must undertake—but exorcisms deal with a rare and extreme species of demonic attack, and are certainly not a common spiritual experience. Thankfully, most don’t have to endure possession to face off against the devil—but […]

A Daily Quote to Inspire Your Catholic Faith “Brothers and sisters, Pentecost renews the Church and the world! May the strong wind of the Spirit come upon us and within us, open the borders of our hearts, grant us the grace of encounter with God, enlarge the horizons of our love and sustain our efforts […]

The post Daily Quote — Pope Leo XIV appeared first on Integrated Catholic Life™.

As a candidate for priesthood, I remember sitting down one evening in seminary and writing out my petition for Holy Orders to be sent to my bishop. Within this petition, and alongside it in a separate profession, I remember declaring a promise of obedience to the authority of the Church and Her teachings. This promise […]