March 19, 2010
People of Faith
Strong role model influenced seminarian at young age
Seminarians for the Diocese of Evansville gathered for their annual retreat at Sarto Retreat House in Evansville in August 2009, prior to their return to formal seminary studies in the fall. Each participant filled out a brief questionnaire for this series.
Tyler Tenbarge, 22, is a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Haubstadt. He is the second of the seven children of Mark and Susan Tenbarge of Haubstadt.
His siblings include Kendra, Trent, Dana, Brian, Krista and Blake.
Tyler is a sophomore at the Bruté College Seminary at Marian University in Indianapolis.
How did you spend your summer? I enjoyed my summer in Washington, D.C., facilitating leadership conferences for high school students. The weeklong conferences centered on servant leadership as a focus of the National FFA organization.
What was the best thing (or maybe, what were the highlights) of your summer? Amongst the 2,500 students who attended the conference in our nation’s capital, the individual relationships are what I value the most. The experience of each week presented opportunities for great connections, and there were even a few young men who discussed with me a possible call to priesthood.
What are the courses/subject matter of the year ahead? Because I am only in my second year of seminary at the college level, I am still building a base of knowledge in theology and philosophy. One course I am excited about is Moral Issues, where we will begin talking about how we look at issues most present in the world today.
Since this is the Year for Priests, can you identify a priest who has had an influence on your life? What was the influence? By far, Father Tony Ernst — my home parish pastor, has had the largest influence on my call. Both in support now and even back in second grade when he spent time at Sts. Peter and Paul before ordination. His kindness and humility, accompanied by his deep faith, give seminarians a strong role model.