Director of Vocations

Father Peter Williams
Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

Fr. Williams was ordained for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis in 2004.  Assigned as Parochial Vicar of St. Vincent de Paul, a large parish in the northwest suburbs, he had many opportunities to evangelize: catechesis of adults, teaching in the school, working with the youth group, and visiting parishioners in their homes.  This formative experience taught him the irreplaceable service rendered by ordained ministry in the Church, especially the unique value of the priest for family life. He maintains many connections with the people of St. Vincent’s he was blessed to serve.

In 2006 Fr. Williams was appointed Pastor of Maternity of Mary in the Como area of St. Paul.  As a pastor, he continues to grow in his understanding of the priest’s responsibility to lead and to serve within the context of community with its specific character, traditions, and charisms.  Parish priesthood continues to be a formative and fulfilling life, full of surprises, challenges, and unparalleled moments of grace.  In addition to his parish responsibilities, Father has served as a Spiritual Director for TEC retreats, chaplain for two Religious Communities, assisted with Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats, served as adjunct spiritual director for St. John Vianney and St. Paul seminaries, and has been privileged to teach a spiritual growth course in the Permanent Diaconate program.

In May 2008, Archbishop Nienstedt appointed Fr. Williams the Director of Vocations, in addition to his pastoral responsibilities at Maternity of Mary.  With great fear and joy, he accepts the privilege to serve the archbishop in this capacity, to hold up to the local church the significance of priesthood, and to walk with men open to God’s call in their lives.

Fr. Williams grew up in Stillwater as the fourth of nine children.  He credits the faith and example of his parents as instrumental in his own discernment of priesthood.  The Catholic Church was simply interwoven into all of his life’s most meaningful moments.  Fr. Williams attended Catholic school through 8th grade, public high school, and obtained his undergraduate degree from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.  He then attended Franciscan University of Steubenville where he discerned clearly God’s call and fulfilled the pre-theology requirements.  He entered the St. Paul Seminary in the Jubilee Year 2000, and considers the four years he spent there as both purifying and shaping.

Fr. Williams loves being a priest!  He considers it an unspeakable gift to stand in the person of Jesus Christ.  The daily opportunity to be an instrument of God’s consoling and merciful love is a tremendous gift for him, exceeding all of his expectations. 

In his spare time, Father enjoys the outdoors – running, biking, hiking, camping, and walking—as well as reading.