September 5, 2019 Vol. 20, No. 15
In This Issue DIRECTIONS
Directions, by Joe Slack, in real life is located in front of OnCue, at 15th and I-35, 4100 E. 15th Street, but this week is hidden somewhere in our paper. Email c o n te s t @ e d m o n d p a p e r. c o m with the correct location to be entered in the weekly drawing. For more information, see page 4.
A trip to Iceland See Page 9
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 Sunny High 93° Low 67°
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 Partly Cloudy High 85° Low 66°
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 AM Showers High 84° Low 67°
Father Alex Kroll’s first stop as a priest at Edmond’s St. John’s parish. PHOTO BY RAY HIBBARD
Father Alex Kroll is 27 and a new priest for the Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. As a teenager the voice of God convinced him to follow the road to the priesthood. By Steve Gust New ordained priest Father Alex Kroll, himself only 27, believes Catholicism’s and its Christian message still resonates with the young as well as society in general. Earlier in the summer, Fr. Kroll was ordained with four other men in Norman. It culminated nine years of training in the seminary. Prior to his first assignment as an associate pastor at St. John’s, he had been to St. John’s only once. “It was back in 2010 when Archbishop Coakley was installed here,” he said. “It was my first year in the seminary.” He now helps to tend to a large Edmond flock, which totals more than 10,000 parishioners or 3,000plus families. “There’s always something to do here and no two days are the same. It’s quite an adventure,” he said. So far, he’s received calls on the job, which have pleased him. “I’ve spoken with people wanting to come back to the Catholic Church,” he said. “That’s very gratifying.” Father Alexander Kroll is originally from Enid attending St. Francis Xavier
Catholic Church. While growing up, the priesthood was not on his radar. Then, while preparing for the Catholic sacrament of confirmation, he listened to a presentation by a Benedictine nun. The message was a prayer method where a participant could discern the voice of God. Originally he sought to prove the method wrong. Instead he heard God ask him to become a priest. He then met Father William Novak for lunch in Kingfisher, who discussed the possibility. “Father Novak told me I was the first one to ever wear a suit to a meeting. I thought it was like a job interview,” he recalled. Although he applied to other colleges, he kept coming back to the voice and eventually applied to the seminary for training to the priesthood. He studied four years at Conception Seminary College in Conception, Mo. and five years at Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Some reports show organized religion losing some of its appeal to young people. But Father Kroll is
pleased with some signs he’s seen. “I’ve worked with the UCO campus ministry and other youth and what I’ve seen is very encouraging,” he said. Since arriving at St. John’s a few months ago, he’s found the people to be “loving and welcoming.” He also is grateful for Rev,. Ray Ackerman, pastor, and the Rev. Anthony Ram, associate pastor, for helping to show him the ropes, so to speak. “Father Ray is an excellent mentor,” he said. Others have found Fr. Kroll to be a welcomed addition, as well, including Stephanie Graham, director of stewardship and community life at St. John’s. “Fr. Alex has been very well received at St. John’s and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School,” she said. “He is energetic, and full of joy, which is wonderful for our active parish and school. Fr. Alex is eager to share God’s word in a relatable way. He likes to have fun, wants to learn, and is very personable. We are blessed to have him here at St. John’s.” continued on Page 3