“It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you.”
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July 3, 2025Bishop John Folda ordained Father Timothy Kraemer to the priesthood on June 7 at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Fargo. Family and friends along with many of their brother priests from the diocese joined in the celebration.
In his homily during the solemn ordination Mass, Bishop John Folda reminded those gathered that the newly ordained Father Kraemer remains their son, brother, and friend and will now also be a priest after the heart of Christ.
“As Pope Leo explained in an ordination homily,” said Bishop Folda, “the ordination of a priest doesn’t separate him from you or from the people he will serve. On the contrary, through his ordination, he is given to us and to the Church even more fully as a gift of God.”
Bishop Folda urged Father Kraemer to be “a minister of hope to others.”
“Your priesthood will be an assurance that Christ remains with his Church and continues to offer us every grace we need to attain salvation. Your priesthood will be a validation of what St. Paul tells us: ‘Hope does not disappoint’ when its foundation is Christ.”
Father Timothy Kraemer will begin his priestly ministry as parochial vicar of St. James Basilica, Jamestown; St. Margaret Mary, Buchanan; and St. Mathias, Windsor.
The evening prior, Bishop Folda ordained five men to the Diaconate: Deacon Garrett Aberle, Deacon Brendon Schneibel, Deacon Patrick Sorrells, Deacon Richie Stenger, and Deacon Taylor Ternes.
With a larger ordination class comes more family, friends, and faithful to the celebration, so the ordination took place at Holy Cross in West Fargo in order to accommodate more people.
In his homily, Bishop Folda urged these men to “Be men of prayer, not only for yourself, but for the Church that you serve, the Church that you love, the Church that is the Body of Christ.
“By your prayer every day, especially in the Liturgy of the Hours and the Mass, lift up to God the people whom you serve, and be present to them in body and in spirit, a witness to the hope that is within you,” Bishop Folda said.
These men will continue their studies in seminary for the 2025–2026 school year, with anticipated ordination to the priesthood next summer.
Fr Timothy Kraemer
Where are you from? Who are you parents and siblings?
I am from Grand Forks. My parents are Phil and Laurie. My siblings are Sarah Komprood (Matthew, brother in law), Fr. Matthew Kraemer, Peter (and Monique) Kraemer, Daniel (and Sarah) Kraemer, Marie Kraemer, and Rose Kraemer.
What kind of support for your vocation have you received from family and friends?
All of my family and friends have always been very supportive. However, I did not spend a lot of time talking to them about it.
When did you first hear the call to pursue the priesthood? When did that call become more real to you?
When I was 11. It was time to make a move when I turned 28.
What has been your most memorable experience in seminary so far?
Honestly... The unexpected one was having real mountain bike trails just a few minutes’ drive away from seminary. When not in class, I spent a lot of time in the woods of the Appalachians.
Who is one of your favorite saints and why?
One of my favorite Saints is Joan of Arc. She had to follow what God directed her even though it was not the normal kind of vocation. Her tenacity and faith were something I hope for.
What advice do you have for others discerning their vocation?
There is something to living the present moment. God daily calls us to live in his presence whether we are in our main vocation or not. When the opportunity comes, take it to investigate where you think God might be calling you. You don’t get anywhere if you don’t go.
Deacon Taylor Ternes
Where are you from? Who are you parents and siblings?
I am from Devils Lake. My dad and mom are Kyle and Allison. I have three younger siblings: Alexis, Andrew and Trinity.
What kind of support for your vocation have you received from family and friends?
My family has been incredibly supportive. My parents from a very young age instilled in each of us that we each have a calling from God, promising to support us no matter what that calling was. I am truly indebted to them for all the support they’ve given me throughout these years of discernment.
When did you first hear the call to pursue the priesthood? When did that call become more real to you?
The first whisperings of a call to the priesthood occurred around the second grade. I thought that I could see myself being a priest someday. This call was strengthened and confirmed in high school. Over time, I knew the Lord was asking me to dedicate my life to work in his vineyard and I rejoiced in such a tremendous calling.
What has been your most memorable experience in seminary so far?
It is a tie between my pilgrimage to Rome and my pilgrimage to Lisieux and Lourdes. Rome was amazing and there’s so much we as Catholics can see in the eternal city. My pilgrimage to Lisieux and Lourdes was spectacular. I found much time to pray, and this trip deepened my relationship with both St. Therese and the Blessed Mother.
Who is one of your favorite saints and why?
St. Gregory the Great has been a strong patron for me. I originally chose him as my confirmation saint in the third grade because of his connection to music. I look up to him as a great model and intercessor, especially in the face of great difficulties. He was one of the saints I was praying to fervently during the Litany of Saints at the ordination Mass.
What advice do you have for others discerning their vocation?
To quote St. John Paul the Great: “Be not afraid.” Discerning a vocation to the priesthood may seem scary and there may even be challenges along the way, but do not be afraid. Trust in the Lord, he will take care of you through it all.
Deacon Brendon Schneibel
Where are you from? Who are your parents and siblings?
I grew up in Lakota, but during junior high, my family moved to Wasilla, AK, and in High School we moved back to North Dakota, living first in Reynolds and finally Manvel, where my parents live now. My parents are Kevin and Mary Kaye Schneibel. I have one older sister, Casey Barclay, who lives in New Salem with her husband, Justin and their four children. I have a younger brother, Thomas, who is recently married and lives in West Fargo, a younger sister, Jennifer, and my youngest brother, Gabriel.
What kind of support for your vocation have you received from family and friends?
I’ve been very blessed to only receive support and encouragement from my family and friends. Sometimes the support comes in very simple words of encouragement: “we’re praying for you,” “we’re proud of you.” Other times it is very personal and touching, like when my new sister-in-law said, “Brendon, I just think it is awesome that my kids will be able to have an uncle who’s a priest.”
When did you first hear the call to pursue the priesthood? When did that call become more real to you?
I grew up in a very Catholic family, so it is hard to say the first time that I thought about becoming a priest, but the first call probably would have been when I was around 9 or 10 as I started receiving comments about how people thought I should be a priest, especially when I had been altar serving. I don’t think I really considered this call though until I heard it more clearly in prayer during my sophomore year of high school.
What has been your most memorable experience in seminary so far?
Going for a rosary walk on an 8-day silent retreat during a seminary summer spirituality program as a thunderstorm rolled in.
Who is one of your favorite saints and why?
St. Maximillian Kolbe. He has been present in various ways for some very important events, and his example of selfless love is very inspiring to me.
What advice do you have for others discerning their vocation?
There is a hard balance to find sometimes between stepping out boldly and being patient. If God opens a door for you, walk through it, even if you’re nervous; in the words of Fr. Rob Galea, “Do it scared.” At the same time, if God isn’t opening a door right now, in the words of our own Bishop John Folda, “Be patient with your vocation;” God will get you where he wants you to be if you surrender to him.
Deacon Richie Stenger
Where are you from? Who are you parents and siblings?
I grew up in Minnesota but came to North Dakota when I went to college at NDSU and was in the ND Air National Guard. My parents are Kenny and Kim and I have a younger sister Katie.
What kind of support for your vocation have you received from family and friends?
I was fortunate that I received a great deal of support. My family had questions early on, but they have been supportive the whole way.
When did you first hear the call to pursue the priesthood? When did that call become more real to you?
I had passing thoughts about the priesthood probably as early as 2nd grade as far as I can remember. The call however didn’t become real for me though until around my 28th birthday.
What has been your most memorable experience in seminary so far?
I would say that some of my favorite memories of seminary is our talent show at the Christmas party. Some men have different talents that you don't see much of otherwise. My favorite was a ventriloquist comedy act.
Who is one of your favorite saints and why?
St. Peter. He’s an inspiration for me because he was able to lead the Church through his trust in the Lord even though his credentials made him seem completely unfit for the job. Also, I really love fishing.
What advice do you have for others discerning their vocation?
Just trust the Lord and give it a try. Like anything in life, you will never know if something is right for you unless you try. Go to seminary for one year. If it isn’t right, it’ll be clear.
Deacon Patrick Sorrells Where are you from? Who are you parents and siblings?
I am from Fargo. My parents are Scot and Debbie Sorrells. I have two siblings. My older brother is Cameron and my younger sister is Rachel.
What kind of support for your vocation have you received from family and friends?
I have received support from my family and friends from the very beginning.
When did you first hear the call to pursue the priesthood? When did that call become more real to you?
I first heard the call to priesthood when I was going through OCIA my senior year of college. I started to seriously discern that call about two years later.
What has been your most memorable experience in seminary so far?
Being ordained a deacon.
Who is one of your favorite saints and why?
Saint Louis de Montfort. His radical devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary is very inspiring.
What advice do you have for others discerning their vocation?
If you’re thinking about seminary, just try it out. You won’t regret it.
Deacon Garrett Aberle
Where are you from? Who are you parents and siblings?
I am the oldest of four in my family. My parents are Rick and Christine. I have two sisters, Danielle and Isabelle, and one brother, Everett. Although we lived for a while in Puerto Rico, my parents both hail from North Dakota, and we moved to North Dakota when I was in 8th grade. Ever since, my family has lived in Minot.
What kind of support for your vocation have you received from family and friends?
My friends and family have always been supportive of my vocation.
When did you first hear the call to pursue the priesthood? When did that call become more real to you?
I first heard the call to the priesthood when I was in high school at a Steubenville conference. There, I had a powerful experience in prayer and the sacraments. From this new place of spiritual intimacy, I knew I needed to discern a vocation to the priesthood. However, the call for me became much more real for me in my last year of college seminary. Then I was wrestling with God on what he wanted of me. The answer was not what I was expecting. What I received was a window into his love for me. Compared to this, everything seemed secondary.
What has been your most memorable experience in seminary so far?
My most memorable experience in seminary is the experience in prayer I had in college seminary, where I was confirmed in my vocation and saw a glimpse of God’s love for me. This love is what has kept me in seminary.
Who is one of your favorite saints and why?
One of my favorite saints is St. Bruno. While he founded a community of hermits (the Carthusians), he actually lived much of his life in the world. This former professor, who wanted to be a hermit, served as a papal advisor. He kept Christ crucified at the center of everything, knowing that everything in the world will pass away.
What advice do you have for others discerning their vocation?
My main advice for those discerning a vocation to the priesthood or religious life is to not worry too much about it. There are certainly times when one may need to take a life-changing step, but, for the most part, it is hard to go astray if you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus in daily prayer.