Kyle Rowan

Configuration I (Theology)
St. Joseph's Seminary, Yonkers, NY
Sacred Heart, Bedford 

My name is Kyle Rowan and I have recently been accepted as a seminarian with the Diocese of Des Moines. I enjoy running and long walks in the country and wherever I may be. I also like to keep my hands busy with many small and large projects, including paracord bullwhips and hand-made rosaries.

I was first interested in becoming a priest when my parish priest invited me to serve at our church in Bedford, Iowa. I remember calling my aunts and uncles, telling them how excited I was to serve the Lord. I attended various retreats and faith-filling trips in my high school years, but the call was never intense. However, in my senior year of high school, I considered going directly into the seminary to further my discernment. But with some encouragement from my brother and my discernment, I decided to go to Benedictine College to enhance my Catholic foundation.

After my first full year at Benedictine, I had the opportunity to work at Catholic Youth Camp (CYC) as a summer staff member. This summer was the most transformative summer I have had in my life. I had the opportunity to work closely with three of our Diocese's youngest seminarians and one of our newly ordained priests. Experiences throughout the summer helped to light a new fire in my heart for discernment. Once I got back to Benedictine, I started to attend our weekly meetings for St. Joseph's House, a new men's discernment group at Benedictine. I also began to visit with Father Ross Parker, our vocations director. After further discernment, I decided to apply for the seminary in hopes of joining in Spring 2022. There I can further my discernment and become closer to my brothers in Christ who are in a similar situation.

Thank you all for listening to a small part of my discernment story. I pray that God continues to call me to the vocation of becoming a priest for this beautiful Diocese. And I look forward to seeing all of you in the Eucharist.