Diocese of Covington - Messenger at 402 E. 21st Street, Covington, KY 41015 US - 'Blessed the Lord is calling me'

Lawrence Schaeper

“I have a peaceful feeling sitting in prayer. It will be a big day and there’s always some anxiety mixed in but I know a lot of people have confidence in me and I have confidence in myself. I feel very blessed that the Lord is calling me to this ministry. I’ll do the best I can,” said Lawrence Schaeper in a telephone interview Feb. 25.

He is talking about his upcoming ordination to the transitional diaconate that will take place at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, March 15. On that day Bishop Roger Foys will ordain four seminarians to the transitional diaconate. God willing, all four men will be ordained to the priesthood in the spring of 2009. (Profiles of the four will appear in this week’s and next week’s Messengers.)

Mr. Schaeper began studying for the priesthood at St. Vincent Seminary, Latrobe, Penn., for the diocese in the fall of 2006, but he said he’s been discerning God’s call to the priesthood for 10 years. In the fall of 1998 he entered Mount St. Mary Seminary for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Mr. Schaeper was born and raised in Cincinnati, where his parents still live. His two brothers live in Northern Kentucky. One of his brothers had been instrumental in bringing Mr. Schaeper to the Diocese of Covington.

In May 2003 Mr. Schaeper decided to take some time away from his seminary studies, so he moved in with his brother who was in college in Greenville, South Carolina. In 2005 his brother enrolled at Thomas More College in Crestville Hills. There Mr. Schaeper was introduced to Father Philip DeVous, at that time the college’s chaplain. After several discussions with Father DeVous, he began to feel the desire to return to the seminary. He met with Bishop Foys and was accepted at St. Vincent Seminary in the fall of 2006.

“St. Vincent is a wonderful seminary with its Benedictine spirituality, emphasis on Eucharistic adoration and a lot of time for prayer,” said Mr. Schaeper.

Mr. Schaeper said that he feels his greatest attributes are sincerity and compassion. He has most enjoyed hospital ministry, “being with those who might be hurting and being with their families, praying with them—it’s very fulfilling ministry.”

Throughout his two years of formation for the Diocese of Covington, Mr. Schaeper said that Bishop Foys has been a great mentor for him and the other seminarians. Mr. Schaeper is looking forward to serving in the diocese this summer as a deacon where he will have the opportunity to celebrate the sacrament of baptism, preach  the Gospel and give homilies. He said he finds comfort by Jesus’ words, “My yoke is easy; my burden is light." (Matt. 11:29,30)

“Whatever it takes I will work to the best of my ability to serve the people of Covington and to serve the Lord and help them to grow closer to the Lord,” he said.

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