Deacon Steven Arisman
Deacon Steven Arisman has wanted to be a priest for as long as he can remember. Later this month, the 33-year-old will officially begin living his lifelong dream. “It feels amazing! I am so excited and so overwhelmed by God’s love and grace as I am preparing these last few days for priesthood,” he said. “I am so excited for ordination day, my Mass of thanksgiving, for my first confession, for my first anointing, and for all the many first blessings I will give as a newly-ordained priest.”
The youngest child of Tom and Elaine Arisman, he grew up at St. Agnes Parish in Springfield. He has an older sister and two older brothers and eight nieces and nephews. “My family has played a large role in my vocation with my parents’ activity in the church being a real inspiration for why I want to be a priest,” he said. “My extended family also played a large role. My grandparents were very active and faithful Catholics on both sides of the family. My Grandma Enlow prayed the rosary fervently every day, often for my vocation … .
“My aunts and uncles were an inspiration in their vocations. One uncle (Msgr. Leo Enlow of the Springfield diocese) who played a large role of inspiration for my vocation and one uncle and aunt who are in faithful beautiful Christian marriages,” he said, adding that his cousins are “like siblings to me.”
Deacon Arisman started serving Mass in sixth grade and at diocesan liturgies at age 17. As a boy and later a young man, he looked up to his pastor, the late Msgr. Patrick Wright. “He was a man of great humility, of great talent and skill, but of great love for his people and for the Lord. He was the ideal priest.” After graduating from Sacred Heart-Griffin High School, he spent one year at Cardinal Glennon College in St. Louis, but returned home for some time to work and attend college classes in Springfield.
At the urging of Father Christopher House, who was then the diocese’s vocations director, Deacon Arisman returned to the seminary, attending Conception College Seminary in Missouri and then went on to Mundelein Seminary where he earned his degree in theology.
“I would like to mention the great care and love of Father Chris House, who was the vocations director that brought me back to the seminary, and was my vocation director throughout my time in seminary,” he said. “Father House’s example, mentorship, advice, love and friendship have meant the world to me.” He said many other priests have been good examples, too.
Elaine Arisman says there has never been any doubt that her son was born to be a priest. “Steve has always loved church and he is just fired up about his faith,” she said. “Neither his father nor I have ever had any doubts that this (the priesthood) is where he belongs. He’s in the right place.”
“I am eternally grateful for my parish and my family’s financial, spiritual and loving support over these many years in preparation for the priesthood,” Deacon Arisman said, also thanking the many Knights of Columbus councils who have supported him financially and in prayer. “It’s been a very long road, but we have made it together by God’s grace and their help. I’ve also been stationed at several parishes and each one of those experiences taught me a great deal about what it means to be a priest.”
Deacon Arisman has asked his uncle, Msgr. Enlow, to vest him during his ordination to the priesthood. “He has been such an inspiration and strength for me … he will continue to be a mentor and friend as I begin my work as a priest, a brother priest.”
The newly-ordained Father Arisman will celebrate his first Mass at St. Agnes Church on Sunday, May 25 at 3 p.m. “It will be a great day of celebration not only for myself and my family, but also for the parish … ,” he said. “I especially want to thank Sister Francis Mary Phillip, OP. Not only because she was my piano teacher for 10 years growing up, but for all her work and that of the choir in preparation for the music for my Mass of Thanksgiving.” A large outdoor reception will follow on the church grounds.
Beginning July 1, the newly-ordained Father Arisman will be parochial vicar at Ss. Peter and Paul Parish in Collinsville. “I am so excited about my parish assignment,” he concluded. “I long to work with the people of God there to draw more and more into the love of Christ. … I am very excited to be heading to this amazing parish. I ask everyone there to pray for me and know of my prayers for you as we worship our God, and come closer into our relationship as a community with the love that comes from Jesus Christ.”
Deacon Seth Brown
Deacon Seth Brown says his emotions are high as he approaches his ordination later this month. “It feels amazing and disorienting at the same time,” he said. “Although I’ve never been married, I imagine it’s a similar feeling. Your whole life changes for the better, for the best, but you have to get used to a new way of life.
“What do I most look forward to? To praying as a priest,” he said. “To praying the liturgy with others, and to continuing to see in an ever-deepening way, I hope, the person of Jesus Christ everywhere and in everything. I also look forward to lightening people’s burdens if I can.”
Raised in the Baptist Church, Deacon Brown converted to the Catholic faith in 2004, joining the church at the Easter Vigil at Our Saviour Parish in Jacksonville. A native of Oakford, he is the second of the four sons of Jim and Nancy Brown and graduated from Porta High School in Petersburg and Illinois College in Jacksonville.
After working for two years at an insurance company, he entered the seminary in 2007. He spent two years in pre-theology and then began studying theology at Mundelein. He took some time off from Mundelein, spending several months with the Benedictines at Marmion Abbey in Aurora before returning to his studies for the diocesan priesthood.
Deacon Brown, who is 31, has asked Father John Titus to vest him. It was Father Titus who gave the then-college student Seth spiritual direction when he was drawn to the Catholic faith. “I chose him (Father Titus) because he’s been sharing my journey — my struggles and little victories — for the last 10 years,” he said. “He helped me into the church and he has been such a good and generous friend ever since. It’s the only way I could think of to say ‘thank you’ to someone who deserves so much more.”
In addition to Father Titus, Deacon Brown has had several more mentors. “My parents of course, first and foremost,” he said. “Also my grandparents. As for priests, Father Don Knuffman from our diocese, and Father Robert Schoenstene and Father Dan Siwek, two of my seminary professors. They’ve each shown me something different about how a priest lives out Christ’s priesthood, but the common theme from all of them is that they have always shown themselves to be authentic, generous men who love God and others. That’s the priest I want to be.
“I want to mention two Springfield Dominican Sisters who have given me such beautiful witnesses of God’s holy love: Sister Maristella Dunlavy, OP, and Sister Cecilianne Duello, OP,” he said. “All of the people I have mentioned have shown me how sacrifice is fundamental to love, to Christian love and discipleship. I only hope I can follow in their footsteps.
“I want to say thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way,” said Deacon Brown. “Thank you for your prayers, and your kindness. I’m sorry I don’t have more to give except my sincere gratitude.”
As he approaches ordination, Deacon Brown has some advice to others considering the priesthood. “To other young men considering the call, remember what St. Therese said: ‘I assure you that the good God is much better than you believe.’ Trust him, and remember that your vision is always very limited,” he said. “Sacrifice what you think you know, and accept all the gifts he desires to give you. They will lead you to the cross, but also to resurrection.”
During the month following his ordination, Deacon Brown says he will spend his free time with family and friends. “For most of June I will be a nomad — traveling to my classmates’ ordinations in Green Bay and Albany, as well as visiting friends and family before I start my assignment July 1.”
Following his ordination, he will celebrate his first Mass at St. Peter Church in Petersburg on Sunday, May 25 at 3 p.m. A reception will follow. He is assigned parochial vicar at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
