Deacon Noah I. Thelen

Parents:
Rex and Gwen Thelen

Siblings:
Alex, Schaefer, and Clara

Education:
Grand Haven High School
Grand Valley State University

University of St. Mary of the Lake – Mundelein Seminary

Noah enjoys playing ping-pong, basketball, tennis, and ultimate Frisbee.  He also likes watching college football and reading.

Who inspired you to be a priest? 

Fr. Bill Langlois, my pastor growing up, inspired me with his love of the priesthood, his joy, and his generosity. I’ve also been inspired by countless priests here at Mundelein Seminary such as Fr. Ed Pelrine, Fr. Carlos Rodriguez, and Fr. Larry Hennessey.

Why do you want to be a priest?

Firstly, because I believe that God inexplicably called me to be a priest. But in that call, God the Father has awoken in me a desire for spiritual fatherhood and has invited me to be a father to his sons and daughters.

What do you love the most about seminary? 

I have an insatiable curiosity and love of learning, so I have really enjoyed our classes. The professors at Mundelein are very available and a great resource. I relish conversations about liturgy, biblical studies, ecclesiology, Christology and spiritual theology, which can be as informal as a lunch conversation.

What are you most grateful for?

Every so often, I sit back and realize that I could not be doing what I’m doing without the support of so many other people, most of whom I’ve never met. I cannot count the number of times someone who I don’t know has come up to me and told me that they are praying for the other seminarians and me. On top of that, the people of God are very financially generous toward their seminarians and because of that, I can be formed here in freedom without economic anxieties. It is wonderful to know that I have so many people in my corner.