Ordinations a cause for celebration

By the time this issue of New Earth arrives in homes, the Diocese of Fargo will have ordained five new priests and one transitional deacon in joyous ceremonies held June 5 and 6 at the Cathedral of St. Mary and Sts. Anne and Joachim Church in Fargo. In a previous issue (July/August 2025), we introduced to readers these five new priests when they were seminarians awaiting their ordination to the transitional diaconate. 

This past May, we caught up with all five to get their thoughts and feelings as their priestly ordinations approached. We also spoke at length with our new transitional deacon as he prepares for his final year of studies before his ordination to the priesthood in 2027.

Rev. Garrett Aberle, Parochial Vicar – assigned to St. Michael’s parish in Grand Forks
“As ordination approaches, there are some unknowns and natural apprehensions: my life as I have known it will end and a new chapter will begin. I will be called upon to do things as a matter of course which the highest of the angels in all their glory cannot do and would not dare consider. There is a great expectation of holiness in representing Christ to the members of His body, yet I do not find myself worrying too much about this. While this could stem from lack of piety, I think the Lord does desire me to enter this greater conformity to Himself with a holy detachment. 
“What I am asked to do daily will be impossible, humanly speaking, yet the fact that I shall be tasked with the administration of His graces necessitates His help. Jesus will not leave me without the help needed to work the daily miracles of the sacraments in His name. My only task in this time is to fix my eyes upon Jesus and understand that everything else, even the beautiful Churches I will serve in, are passing. Then, I shall truly be able to seek Him first. All else will be given me besides—in ordinary ways through others and my superiors, and in extraordinary ways through prayer. 
“I think I would call my interior experience at this time something of a patient expectation. There is very little necessary other than living the Christian life at this point of proximate preparation. I wait in reverence to be joined in a deeper way to my Savior, which shall include His deep sorrows and pain, along with the joy which no one can take from Him.”
 
Rev. Brendon Schneibel, Parochial Vicar – assigned to Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
“I would say that my feelings right now are mainly just those of gratitude. My time in seminary, and especially my last semester, has provided a lot of time to reflect not only on my vocation but on my whole life. In that reflection, God has helped me to see more and more how the priesthood is and has always been His will for my life. There are so many moments that He's helped me recognize His hand at work, making me be a better man, helping me grow in holiness, and preparing me to be a priest.
“Looking forward, I am just filled with an incredulous joy and gratitude. Even with all the preparation and groundwork that God has laid, there is still a surreal feeling as I approach the day of my ordination. I see all the amazing things priests do and have done in my life and the life of the church, and I can hardly believe that God has chosen me to share in those joys and sorrows, those gifts, and this priestly life. I am beyond grateful to everyone who has walked with me on this journey, but I am infinitely indebted and grateful to God for asking me to be His priest.”
 
Rev. Patrick Sorrells, Parochial Vicar – assigned to Holy Spirit Church, Fargo
“It’s been hard to think about my upcoming ordination with all that has been going on during these last weeks of class. Although, I am in many ways looking forward to jumping into full-time ministry as a priest of Jesus Christ. My prayer is that I celebrate the sacraments reverently, beautifully, and profoundly, that I inspire people towards living in a deeper relationship with God through mental prayer, and that I can help promote more vocations to the priesthood. I also look forward to the opportunities that ministering and evangelizing in my home city of Fargo will bring.
“Six years of seminary has gone by quickly, but at times it seemed like it took forever. Bishop Folda was right when he said that the days would be long but the years would be short. I am so grateful for being given the opportunity to discern this call to the priesthood. Seminary has been a truly formative and enriching place that has equipped me to begin my many years of ministry in the Diocese of Fargo.”

Rev. Ritchie Stenger, Parochial Vicar – assigned to Nativity Church, Fargo
“Over these last few weeks as I've been spending some time reflecting on my life, I can't help but realize that it's been a crazy but grace-filled journey that I've been on. If you would have told me ten years ago that I'd be a priest, I would have blown that comment off. This vocation was never in my plan and I certainly ran from it. But God's love and providence has softened my heart and helped me to trust Him in this path. He has given me so much grace over these years to let go of my plans. And now with the ordination around the corner, I am very excited for this next step to be able to serve God’s people and help bring Christ into the world.” 
 
Rev. Taylor Ternes, Parochial Vicar – assigned to Holy Cross Church, West Fargo
“As I reflect upon my discernment and time in seminary, I am ecstatic to become a priest! I have received tremendous blessings from the Lord throughout my life, and I look forward to seeing the many blessings he will pour out throughout my priesthood. 
“My prayer is that I can live out my life as a priest in the manner which St. John Vianney, patron of parish priests, described: ‘The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus.’ In loving the Lord to the best of my ability, I trust that he will use me as an instrument of his grace, to be the Light shining in the darkness."
 
Meet Deacon Paul Zach
Where are you from? Who are your parents and siblings?
I grew up on a farm outside of Rosholt, South Dakota. After High School I went to North Dakota State College of Science for electrical (studies) in Wahpeton, which is what brought me to the Diocese of Fargo. My parents are Linus and Renee Zach and I am the youngest of six kids: Justin, Juliann, Sarah, Theresa, and Jacob.
What kind of support for your vocation did you receive from family and friends?
Since I entered seminary, I have received a lot of encouragement from family and friends but the most helpful support I have received is their prayers. The grace of intercessory prayer can be imperceptible at times, but I’m confident the prayers of others have strengthened me through my years of seminary. 
When did you first hear the call to pursue the priesthood? When did that call become more real to you?
The thought of being a priest would come to mind here and there when I was growing up, but I wasn’t open to it in any way, shape, or form. In college I had a powerful experience of God’s love and mercy which began to soften my heart to the idea of becoming a priest.
What has been your most memorable experience in seminary?
This last January I was able to have the trip of a lifetime as I spent three weeks in Rome. The Eternal City is full of the enduring witness of the Saints, and it showed me that God’s call is the sole pursuit worthy of giving your life to.
Who is one of your favorite saints and why?
Saint Faustina. Her example of trust in the Lord, even in the most difficult times of her life, has been edifying and inspires me to have the same trust.
What advice do you have for others discerning their vocation?
Put aside all your worries and fears, you don't have to have an answer for them to take the first step. Jesus loves you and He will answer them in due time, trust Him! Just listen for that small still voice in prayer and act on that.