My name is Shane Kliethermes, and I am a seminarian at Mundelein for the Diocese of Jefferson City, Missouri. I was born and raised Catholic as the middle child of three boys, living just outside of Jefferson City on the family farm. Growing up, I always loved sports and being outdoors. The question of possibly being called to the priesthood entered my heart around the time of my First Communion, but I chose to keep it hidden throughout grade school. While in high school, I was involved in youth group and a Catholic men’s fraternity that greatly aided my spiritual life, and that’s  when I really began to pray and talk to priests about the vocation. For undergrad, I first attended Benedictine College to major in both psychology and theology. Then after two years, I answered the Lord’s call to enter seminary and begin formation for the Diocesan Priesthood. Three years later, I earned my bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of Dallas, while also completing the Discipleship Stage of Priestly Formation at Holy Trinity Seminary. Now, in the Configuration Stage, I’m blessed to be assigned to St. Peter Damian as my Teaching Parish. I look forward to spending these essential years of priestly formation with your parish family! Please pray for me and my brother seminarians so that we continue along this adventure of priestly discernment.