Tim Weber

Introduction/Tell things about you, your family, your Catholic journey

Hey, I'm Timothy Weber. I was born in Cedar Rapids and raised on the farm near Mechanicsville.  I have two sisters and a brother; I am forever the baby of the family.  We were raised Catholic, and faith was a big part of growing up.  It wasn’t until my late twenties that I took ownership of the faith and started taking it more seriously.  Going to Mass was not enough to satisfy the need for the divine reality in my life.  My Dad is retired now but used to work fulltime on the farm and in town at a manufacturing company in Marion.  My Mother used to work at St. Luke’s Hospital as a nurse and has since retired.  They are now full time grandparents of eighteen grandkids.  My siblings are all married and have 7, 6, and 5 kids respectively.  It is a joy being an uncle to so many great kids.  

Where/when did your sense of call develop?

The first time I felt called to the priesthood was when I was twelve.  I was at a conference in Chicago where a priest from Croatia with the stigmata was giving a talk.  During one of the intermissions, I walked to the back where they had pamphlets.  I randomly picked one up and it read, “Are you called to the priesthood?”  Instantly I felt a wave wash over me with the inaudible answer, “yes”.  To this day the encounter with the Holy Spirit has stayed with me and swayed me to join seminary. 

Were you invited by others to enter seminary?

I wasn’t directly invited by others to enter seminary, but God worked through the friendships I made in the young adult group in Cedar Rapids.  It was there that I found the love of God at work.  Being a part of a group that was built on relationships and centered on Christ in the Eucharist helped to melt away fears around joining seminary.  

What was your main motivation in pursuing your call?

My biggest motivating factor in pursuing the call to seminary was simply to better understand what God was asking of me.  The idea of priesthood never went away, and I knew that the only way to find out if it was for me was to join seminary.  I embraced the notion that God has a vocation for my life and knew going to seminary would help me better hear that call.

Who were/are your biggest influences?

I would have to say the witness of priests throughout the years has played a big role in my vocation.  Watching them continue to show up and celebrate Mass and make time for others has been inspiring.  Also, Adoration has been an influence on my vocation.  Time in silence with our Lord has bore much fruit.  In Adoration life becomes more clear.  I am strengthened to act on the clarity. 

What advice would you give other men who are discerning their call?

Pray and don’t discern alone.  Find a spiritual director that can help guide you through the process.  Discerning alone is not healthy and will become self-referential, especially if you are not praying.  It’s God who has the best plan for your life.  You will never know what he wants if you don’t talk to him.