Director of Vocations

Thank you for checking out our Web site.  My name is Fr. Troy Przybilla.  I am the assistant vocation director for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.  I say “assistant” because Jesus is really the vocation director.  It was, and still is, Jesus Who calls us to follow Him. 

I grew up in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, and attended Epiphany Catholic Church for my entire life.  I was in high school when I first began to hear the call to the priesthood.  However, unlike the Apostles who left everything to follow our Lord, it took me awhile to respond because I was unsure if this was really a “call” from God and, if it was, I was afraid to answer.  As a result, I wrestled with God’s will for my life for several years before finally talking to a priest and making the decision to enter the seminary in 1994.  I spent one year at St. John Vianney Seminary where the wrestling match continued between me and God, and for various reasons I left the seminary.

I worked and pursued a pilot’s license while I tried to complete my bachelor’s degree.  It was during this time that I began to hear “the call” again.  After much discernment and spiritual direction, I decided to re-enter the seminary.  Thankfully, this time there was peace with the decision.  This peace continued through the remaining years of seminary, through my two years as associate pastor of St. Peter’s in Forest Lake, into my 3 ½ years as pastor of Immaculate Conception in Lonsdale, and even into my new position.  I anticipate that this peace will last into eternity.

This peace comes from knowing that since I have made the commitment to follow Christ, He will take care of everything while He leads me where He wants me to be. 

If you are hearing God calling you to follow Him in a religious vocation, I encourage you to contact a priest that you trust and talk to him.  You can also contact me by e-mail or phone.

God bless you.
Fr. Troy Przybilla     
Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis