Fr. David Schalk, Ordained to the Priesthood May, 2008,
Speaks about his Life as a Newly Ordained Priest …

“My vocation is confirmed every day.”

Fr. David Schalk is involved in many different ministries at his first assignment as Associate Pastor at St. Mary Church in Delaware. He serves the parish with his mentor and friend, Fr. Jim Black, the Pastor of St. Mary.

The sacramental ministries of the parish occupy much of his time: celebrating Mass, preaching, hearing confessions, and visiting and anointing the sick. There are baptisms, funerals, and weddings.

“When you realize what you are doing everyday on the altar – consecrating the Eucharist, which is the true source of our joy – you want and need to stay very close to the Lord,” said Fr. Schalk.

Fr. Schalk is one of the chaplains at Ohio Wesleyan University, and regularly visits the children at St. Mary School. He shares with the students his devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe. “Our Lady supports me as a priest. She is a gift to the Church and a sign of God’s love for his people.”

St. Mary Church participates in RENEW, which Fr. Schalk actively promotes. This parish-wide program builds small faith-sharing communities, helping individuals encounter God in everyday life. The fruits are abundant: parishioners interact with each other and find support as they connect their faith with action.

Fr. Schalk supports the ministry to young married couples of the parish, and is involved in the youth ministry program at St. Mary as well.

“As a new priest, every day is new and fresh. Every day there is something different to do. I particularly enjoy preaching,” said Fr. Schalk. “I am constantly preparing the next homily – the need is unending for passing on the Faith.”

In the past, Fr. Schalk has said that “life is full of surprises.” This continues to be true for him as a new priest.

“It is clear that people and ministries are in need of priests. So much more is needed,” said Fr. Schalk. “We have a strong Latino ministry, and I would like to do so much more with our Spanish-speaking parishioners.”

What are some of the first year challenges? “Priorities. Keeping first things first is important.” He said that it also takes time to incorporate into a new community in a meaningful way – to settle in and feel at home in a new, large parish takes time. There is also adapting to a new routine with an office and a residence.

“I find that as you become more a part of the community, the community looks to you as a spiritual father and your desire to serve them grows,” said Fr. Schalk. “I love the person-to-person aspect of the parish ministries.”

For recreation, Fr. Schalk still enjoys traveling to see friends and family around the country. He also makes time for spiritual reading.

His advice for seminarians and those discerning a possible call outside of seminary is this: “Don’t be afraid. But realize that living your life for others requires a tremendous amount of sacrifice, but produces even more joy.

(Click to read Fr. Schalk’s Homily to Seminarians at Mundelein Seminary at the Mass of the Newly Ordained, October 15, 2008.)

“I am so happy to be doing what I am supposed to do,” said Fr. Schalk.