Seminarian reflects upon diaconate ordination

By DAWN PROSSER
Director of Communications
 
Bancroft native and diocesan seminarian Thomas Kollasch is preparing for his ordination to the transitional diaconate on Oct. 2 at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Studying at The Pontifical North American College (PNAC) in Rome, he is one of a class of 16 to be ordained as deacons next week.
 
Ordination to the transitional diaconate is the final stage in seminary formation. The class of 17 will most likely be ordained as priests in June 2026. This week, Kollasch and his classmates are participating in a retreat prior to receiving holy orders.
 
Before departing for the retreat, the seminarian shared that he was “eager” for the retreat experience and to have time to contemplate the full scope of his upcoming ordination.
 
“So much has been going on that I feel I’ve had little time to soak in the event about to take place,” he said. “Foremost in my thoughts has been my own inadequacy to receive so great a responsibility as ordination. I desire to love well, to preach well, to heal and guide but I see the gap between my ideals of those things and how I concretely live them out. I think God is asking me to accept the way he has made me relate to others, because it is the way he will love through me.”
 KollaschA large group of the seminarian’s family and friends are journeying to Rome to witness Kollasch’s ordination at the basilica. His parents and two sisters will make the trip, along with many extended family members. 

“A big group from my mom’s side of the family is coming over. Her maiden name is Degen, and every summer, they get together for ‘DegenFest.’ This year, they’re coming over to Rome and calling it ‘DeaconFest,’” Kollasch explained.
 
Friends are also coming for the Mass including those from his time attending the University of Iowa, Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, Minnesota, friends from the diocese and some from the Gregorian University in Rome. He said he’s happy to have such a variety of friends and family attending the ordination.
 
“I feel very supported and encouraged by these relationships God has given to me,” Kollasch said.
 
The seminarian shared he is also grateful for the opportunity to share the experience of the sacrament of holy orders with his 16 classmates.
 
“I’m very grateful to share this with them,” he said. “Each class that comes over to Rome develops special bonds with each other because of how difficult the transition can be and how different each year is experienced over here. I love my classmates and am glad to share this honor with them.”
 
Each year, the PNAC rector invites the bishop of one of the men to be ordained to serve as ordaining bishop for the class, Kollasch explained. Msgr. Thomas W. Powers, rector, invited Bishop Joseph G. Hanefelt of the Diocese of Grand Island, Nebraska, to ordain the entire class, including his Grand Island seminarian, Noah Huddleston.
 
Kollasch said he is pleased that Bishop John E. Keehner will also be in Rome for the ordination and first Mass.
 Kollasch, right, and diocesan seminarian, Anthony Vera of Le Mars were in St. Peter's Square when Pope Leo was named.“He also agreed to celebrate my first-preached Mass on the day after the ordination, and I feel very honored,” he said.
 
Each seminarian selects a church in Rome for their first Mass. Kollasch said he selected San Giovanni Battista, dei Fiorentini, or St. John of the Florentines in English.
 
“St. John the Baptist is the patron of my home church in Bancroft and I entrusted him with interceding for my vocation when I entered seminary,” he explained. “It works out splendidly that he is also Bishop Keehner’s patron. I look forward to sharing Mass with Bishop in our patron’s church.”
 
After Oct. 2 when the seminarian will be known as Deacon Kollasch, he said he is looking forward to preaching.
 
“I love the Scriptures and I hope I can break them open for other people,” he said. “I also love telling stories.”
 File photo of Kollasch receiving the Rite of Acolyte.As he reflects upon his upcoming ordination, Kollasch is thinking of the parishioners and supporters back in Iowa. 
“I would like the faithful of the diocese to know that even though I am being ordained in Rome, I am offering the gift of my life for the sake of serving you in the Diocese of Sioux City. I look forward to returning home to you soon,” he said.

Cover photo from the PNAC Facebook page - the seminarians prepare to depart for a week-long retreat prior to their diaconal ordination, including Thomas Kollasch, far right, of Bancroft, Divine Mercy Parish.
 
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