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Josh French walks into Cottage Grove Ice Arena, a black and purple Minnesota State hockey bag slung over his shoulder. It’s one of the many Twin Cities rinks the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis seminarian frequented while he grew up. Today, the former Division I hockey player and professional prospect is meeting his older brother for an early-afternoon skate and a trip back — and forward — in time.

Jesus is quoted in the Gospel of Matthew as saying “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me (chapter 25, verse 35).” It’s these type of humbling, sometimes uncomfortable situations that have become a key component of early seminarian formation – aimed at bringing a man outside of himself so he can become better disposed to discern whether God is calling him to the priesthood.

Matt Birk grew up just over a mile down Cretin Avenue from The Saint Paul Seminary. Yet the former NFL center turned Minnesota renaissance man never thought he’d be spending much time inside the seminary’s walls.

Fr. Brian Gross is set to join The Saint Paul Seminary priest staff as director of pastoral formation this summer. In this conversation, Gross shares some insights from his own priestly journey he hopes to share with seminarians in his new role.

Any honest leader will admit it’s a gig that comes with stress. Fr. Joseph Taphorn found one way to manage it: running the various paths and trails Memorial and Elmwood Park in Omaha have to offer.