Give Us Shepherds: Fr. Michael LawingerRead Time 10 min

As he prepared to take on a new role as pastor at Blessed Trinity, Sheboygan Falls, and St. John Evangelist, Kohler, Fr. Michael Lawinger reflected on his first three years as a priest. “It was impactful,” he said of his time as associate pastor at Christ King and St. Bernard in Wauwatosa. “It is my hope that all of my parishioners grow in holiness and closer to God. That is the only thing that will really make us happy; anything else will fall short.”

Reflecting on your first few years of priesthood, what are your key takeaways from the experience?

I’d offer three key takeaways. First, being a priest was impactful. There wasn’t a day that I didn’t make a difference, whether I was helping someone through difficulties in their marriage or coaching volleyball. Secondly, being a priest was fun. The days were often jam-packed and sometimes chaotic, but even if I was exhausted, I felt great. Finally, being a priest allowed me “to really be me.” I like to do things that have meaning and there was no limit to those meaningful things. I struggled in school because I knew there was an abstract purpose to the homework, but as a priest, I found meaning in everything I did. I could free someone from past issues or concerns. I could provide youth with direction. There was nothing to hide or change — God used me as I am.

What, if anything, surprised you during those early years?

I was prepared for parish work, having heard from peers the surprises they encountered, so what surprised me the most was the disconnect between my own expectations of what people want from a priest versus their actual expectations. My expectations of myself were much higher than their expectations. I found that people just want to know their priest and want to know that he cares. I thought that I had to be brilliant and that I had to have an answer to every question immediately. I found that few people cared about that. After preaching at one of my first Masses, a woman came up to me and said, “I understood every word you said.” All she wanted was to be able to hear me and that made her happy.

What were some of the challenges you faced?

Time management has been difficult. When you are doing meaningful things, it’s easy to run yourself dry; 14-hour days do happen. You need to plan and know what to say “yes” to: you need to be able to maneuver. It’s hard because you aren’t choosing between something good and something bad; you are choosing between or among good things. Helping this person or that person, for example. Neither is a bad choice, but you can’t do everything. You also have to take days off and schedule time to pray, sleep, exercise, grocery shop and see other friends. These are important personal needs, and it makes a difference in my ability to be a good priest when they are taken care of as well.

What made Christ King and St. Bernard special?

The school made Christ King fun. I really enjoyed being with the children and the school families. I coached sixth grade volleyball, so I spent a lot of time learning about and managing their different personalities — all loveable and amazing. St. Bernard’s was a little smaller, so I really got to know people. They were very welcoming in so many ways. Many parishioners really bared their souls and shared a lot with me. It’s one thing to share a parish, another to share a home, and these parishioners really extended their parish-home to me. I also think seeing and knowing a young priest gave many of them hope.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to play video games — it’s a good way to stay in touch with people. I also like to play volleyball, and I enjoy jumping. Right now, I’m trying to increase my vertical jump. It’s good exercise and it’s nice to have a goal.

What is your favorite book?

I love “Brideshead Revisited” by Evelyn Waugh. It’s a fantastic book about the reach and spread of the Church, and how grace reaches people in different places, not in the way we imagine. God is always pulling people toward him. I also like “The Power and the Glory” by Graham Greene. It’s about a priest living in Mexico during times of persecution. He is struggling and the message is really one of how much good work God does, even in people who are not up to the task. It’s comforting to recognize that life is difficult and messy, but that’s not exactly a bad thing; God came into this world and did good things in the midst of the mess. That is the reality of priesthood.

What do you wish people knew about the priesthood?

Priests are all different. Sometimes parishioners get this idea that if one priest did something a certain way, all priests will. Priests are good in different ways, and we are human in different ways. Priesthood can be a difficult job because we need to fill so many roles and meet so many people’s individual needs, but that is what God has called us to do.

What are your thoughts as you begin a new position as pastor?

What does the future hold? I have no idea. God’s will is in the present. I do have many hopes and dreams. I am excited to be in smaller parishes where I can get to know everybody. I expect parishioners and I will share a lot of meaningful moments. I am also looking forward to being able to share my vision for a parish, but right now, the present is the most beautiful place to be.

What advice would you give to a youth considering the priesthood?

Priesthood is truly a life that is full of love. If you are called to the priesthood, sometimes God will draw you more slowly; other times, he will “break down the door.” If God is calling you to the priesthood, nothing else will make sense.