Matthew Conner’s Journey
It only takes a short conversation with Matthew Conner to see why he feels called to join the priesthood, specifically with Companions of the Cross. He is a dynamic young man that radiates the confidence that only comes with the true conviction of knowing that “God is alive, God is powerful, and God is active in our lives”.
Matthew’s story is probably a lot like many young men’s. His calling towards the priesthood was in the back of his mind for as long as he could remember. At times this calling became stronger, but sometimes that calling was faint as situations around him proved less than uplifting. He allowed himself the time to settle into this decision. Like any teenage boy, he dated, played sports, and hung out with friends. The difference may be that his family and youth minister genuinely nurtured strong, faith-filled connections. “To this day, those friends that I made in youth group are still some of my closest,” he says.
Matthew started as a Chemical Engineering major, with a Theology minor, at Benedictine College. After two years of challenging classes, he couldn’t continue to ignore the calling to become a priest. “I couldn’t keep putting myself through those ChemE classes when I knew I would probably go to seminary,” he shares. So, he changed his major to Philosophy, with minors in Mathematics, Chemistry, and Theology. He remembers being an intern at P&G and thinking that while his work was interesting, he needed to be doing something that mattered, something that made a difference for God.
The spring of 2020 helped cement in his mind why it was time to accept that his path was headed in one direction. Like all of us, Matthew watched as society lost all-too-important connections between people, but more glaringly between people and the Church. Like everything, going to church had become digital, as easy and uneventful as a Zoom meeting. As he felt the loss of not receiving the Eucharist, he realized it wasn’t so much about bringing people to Christ as bringing Christ to His people. Though he had always felt called to ministry, volunteering with youth groups and Catholic sports organizations, he knew it was time to say ‘yes’ to discerning the priesthood. Watching people decide who or what they would risk going out for made it evident to him where his priorities lie.
“Sometimes choosing this life forces us to give up things like work promotions, getting ahead in worldly ways, or physical comforts, but it’s more than worth it,” Matthew says. In the fall of 2022, Matthew moved to Detroit to begin his novitiate year with the Companions of the Cross. This year will help him adjust to the transformation of life that comes with joining the seminary and ultimately being ordained. He will then enroll in seminary at Sacred Heart Major in Detroit.
Surprisingly, saying yes to discerning a priestly vocation was easier than deciding which path he would take. The Companions of the Cross has made community, the Eucharist, and devotion to Mary, the centerpieces of their vocation. He is excited to join the Companions as they work to revive broken or struggling churches through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, evangelization, and outreach. The Companions also work as chaplains in high schools and universities, leading retreats, and teaching in seminaries. Their work focuses on using the power of Jesus’ name to renew the Church and invite people into a personal relationship with Him.
He offers simple advice for those discerning vocations, “Don’t overthink it.” Easier said than done, so he adds, “I suggest two things: Deepen your relationship with Christ through Adoration and rely on Our Lady. I did the 33 Days Devotion and continue to pray the rosary daily.” He points out that Our Lady intercedes for us for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit and he recommends seeking solid spiritual mentors. In our current cultural climate, it is easy to see those who have gone astray. There are many, many more priests, deacons, and lay ministers who serve faithfully, such as Fr. Jim Riehle whose homilies remind us our religion is not just a set of rules but a relationship with Christ and a roadmap to get to Him. He fondly remembers Fr. Ron Piepmeyer, a wonderful spiritual advisor and devoted follower of Our Lady. Matthew adds, “Pray for seminarians and priests. We are in a time of tremendous spiritual attacks on priests and those in discernment. The Church is messy because we are messy. Look to the saints who have been calling the Church back to its core throughout history.”