SHCHS graduate ordained catholic priest

Caleb Krischke of the St. John area and a graduate of Sacred Heart Catholic High School received his ordination as a Catholic priest this past Saturday, May 30.

The ceremony took place at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Victory with Victoria Diocese Bishop Brendan Cahill conducting the vows.

Krischke, the son of Joanie (Besetzney) Krischke and the late Stuart Krischke, graduated from SHCHS in 2016.

According to an annual fund appeal put out by the school, Krischke gives credit to his teachers, who taught him the core values of integrity of character, diligence, and service.

“Being a man of integrity is something which is not found easily,” Krischke said. “This virtue was imparted to me by all the faculty, especially the coaches at Sacred Heart, who inspired me. I graduated from Sacred Heart with a diploma and with the virtue of selfless service.”

Krischke credited Coaches Pat Henke, Rick Masek, Joe Cash, Kevin Dworsky and Mark Noska as well as his fifth grade teacher Doris Fenner and Ruth Barton, his student council and National Honor Society sponsor.

“The staff taught not just academics – they taught me how to live correctly and to love God by serving others,” Krischke said.

Growing up Krischke said he did not think about becoming a priest and was against the idea for some time.

However, during his senior year at SHCHS, he began thinking about the possibility of becoming a priest.

“After I received the sacrament of confirmation, I began practicing my faith at a much deeper level,” Krischke said. “Receiving the sacraments more often, and having so much more joy and peace in my faith, I asked God what he wanted me to do for Him.”

Krischke said he was drawn into the priesthood through the examples of several good and faithful priests.

“I admired them for their selfless service and their desire to bring other people to the fullness of truth,” Krischke said.

During that time, Krischke met a seminarian, who is now the pastor of St. Phillip’s in El Campo, Father Dalton Ervin, who answered his questions about the priesthood and helped him in his discernment process.

Krischke said going through the seminary there were many ups and downs, but the most rewarding part was after he was ordained as a deacon.

“I remember celebrating with all the people I met along the journey and feeling quite overwhelmed by their support,” Krischke said.

Krischke said his first year in the seminary was in Covington, Louisiana and then in Dallas was challenging because it was difficult leaving his friends, however, he said he had to learn to trust in God.

“The most challenging part has been learning to trust in God, which is not simple as it sounds,” Krischke said. “Trust in God is a gift from Him. Sometimes He allowed me to go through difficulties, but these difficulties taught me to place my trust in Him.”

The past Saturday not only Krischke, but Shane Goertz and Aaron Padilla III also were ordained and three more men entered the priesthood in the Victoria diocese.

Krischke celebrated his first Mass the next day at St. John’s and the small church was overflowing with those attending.

Krischke has been assigned as parochial vicar for St. Michael and Our Lady of Guadalupe churches in Cuero, while Padilla has been assigned as parochial vicar to Saints Cyril and Methodius Church in Shiner and Goertz will serve as the parochial vicar to Sacred Heart Church in Hallettsville and its missions.