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RELIGIOUS SPOTLIGHT

Father Tyler Mattson

A new feature to the Re-U-Knight-er is the Religious Spotlight. We are showcasing some of our beloved alumni who have answered God’s call to the religious life. Please take a moment to read up on some fun history of what attending O’Gorman High School was like for each of them. This issue, we are featuring Father Tyler Mattson, O’G class of 2009, who will be assigned in July of 2023 as the Parochial Vicar of St. Katharine Drexel, Sioux Falls; St. Nicholas, Tea; St. Magdalen, Lennox; and St. Christina, Parker.

What are some hobbies you enjoy in your free time? I love to go to the gym, take my dog for walks, read, write, and go trap shooting with family.

What activities/sports were you involved in at O’G? I was 100% a band geek. My favorite activity was Marching Band and most of the friends I made grew out of my band experience.

What is your favorite high school memory? I think my favorite memory was the many memories I made through Marching Band. I have so many fond memories of band camp, practices, and competitions.

What teacher inspired you the most? I had a theology teacher named Mr. Schaefer. He was the first person to introduce me into the wonderful world of philosophy. For the first time, I was invited to think about how I think! He really showed an interest in his students and allowed us to ask difficult questions.

What was your favorite cafeteria food in high school? My favorite food was probably the classic square slices of pizza. Those never got old!

What was the uniform policy when you attended O’Gorman High School? It was the classic khakis and polo shirts.

Favorite place you have traveled to? I love Jerusalem. I have been blessed to go to Jerusalem twice and I would go back right now if you gave me a ticket! It is such a spiritually powerful city. There is a lot of strife in Jerusalem in the midst of the holy sites. Yet, you can still feel the presence of Jesus who walked those streets.

How did you get your call to priesthood? When I was a junior at O’Gorman, all my friends started to talk about what they wanted to do after high school. Some wanted to be doctors, lawyers, etc... I remember thinking that I had no idea what I wanted to do after high school. I was not particularly interested in any one subject. It was in this place of uncertainty that I heard a clear, soft voice in my heart say, “Be a priest.” I had never thought about a priest before! But after I heard this clear voice inviting me to be a priest, I started to explore what that meant and to pray more consistently. One thing led to another and here I am!

If you could spend a day with anyone from history (besides Jesus), who would it be and why? Besides Jesus, my life has been influenced the most by Chiara Lubich. She founded a movement in the Catholic Church called Focolare. She had an absolutely incredible life and such a beautiful faith. I would love to pick her brain and just watch how she lived for a day.

Tell us a little about your family. My parents sacrificed so much so my siblings and I could attend Catholic schools. I am so grateful! I have two older brothers and they both attended O’Gorman as well. Now we all live in the Sioux Falls area.

Did you attend one of the Catholic elementary schools in Sioux Falls? Which one? I attended Christ the King Elementary.

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