Vocation Story - Timothy Hall '06
	An Extraordinary Call from an Ordinary Routine Living on a farm offered many extraordinary opportunities to know, love and be loved by God. One such example of how God has called me to discern the possibility of becoming a priest is an account of a struggle that took place in bringing a newborn calf from a pasture to the barn, a task not so out of the ordinary when one lives on a farm. Even though this account would not appear to be typical for a vocation story, it did open my eyes to God's call to the priesthood. Carrying the calf was an awkward task - it was heavy and she kept trying to break free from the grasp of my arms. The Holstein cow, the calf's mother, was more aggressive than I expected her to be as we walked toward the creek that needed to be crossed. She followed close, and I could feel her presence as she exhaled nervously, and at times she bumped into my shoulder with her nose as we walked along. Calf in arms and shoes tied around my neck I stepped into the cold clear waist-high water, sinking gently into the sandy bottom. I stepped slowly across the strong current. The cow traced my steps skeptical of my ability to handle her calf. Before I reached the other side the frightened calf let out a loud bawl to which the cow responded with a nervous bellow, and nudged me hard and square in the back. I fell into the water with the calf in my arms as the cow lunged over the top of me to rescue her calf. The calf would be able to swim, so I was not worried about her, but I did want to maintain control of the situation, knowing that if I let go of her it was likely that I would not be allowed near it for some time. So I grabbed the calf, got out from under the cow, regained my footing and turned around realizing that the cow was within inches - fearful and at the same time irritated with me for dropping her calf. I walked backward out of the cool water of the creek, knowing that as long as I kept the calf between the cow and myself she would not charge. After the three of us reached the grassy bank on the other side, we took another rest. Calf and cow were reacquainted and I had the chance to put on my shoes and socks. We then made our way home. There have been many experiences and struggles like the one I just described in which I have discovered God in His creation. These events led me to the seminary because it is through them that I have come to know God, and in that knowledge I have discovered that there is a chance that I have been called to the priesthood. Now, of course there have been many people - priests, friends and family members too numerous to mention here - that have influenced my discernment to the call of priesthood. They played an important role in my vocation story. However, the depth of my call comes from the silent language of encountering God in the events of daily life. by Timothy Hall Diocese of Winona Class of 2006