Testimony of Fr. Fredrick Schlueter

 In this powerful Magnificat Podcast episode, we share the journey of Fr. Fredrick Schlueter on his journey discerning the priesthood. He describes himself as a ‘link in a chain.’

He shares a prayer by John Henry Neumann, “I am a link in a chain, a bond of connections between persons.”

God has worked outwardly in his family, through generations of faithful people who have gone before him in faithfulness to God. This has given Fr. Fredrick the blessings and the fruits of the spirit in his life.

Fr. Fredrick ‘Fritz’ shares the stories of his paternal and maternal grandparents and his own parents, how they passed on their deep faith and devotions, by attending Mass and praying the Rosary as a family. That daily example of the grandparents and parents placing God first in their lives deeply affected Fr. Fredrick and his seven siblings.

A Catholic summer camp experience profoundly influenced Fr. Fredrick prompting him to begin the steps toward entering the Seminary. Fr. Fredrick was ordained in June of 2023 and is a priest in the Youngstown Diocese.

This testimony was given to the Stark County, OH Chapter in September of 2024.

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Podcast Show Notes: Interview with Father Fredrick Schlueter

Guest:
Father Fredrick Schlueter, priest of the Diocese of Youngstown, ordained June 2023. Parochial vicar at St. Francis Assisi Parish (Canton, OH) and Holy Family Parish (Brewster & Navarre, OH).

Episode Highlights

• Introduction & Background
  • Father Fredrick shares his gratitude for joining the community and reflects on the theme of being a “link in a chain,” inspired by St. John Henry Newman’s prayer.
• Family Stories & Faith Traditions
  • Berry picking mishaps and the spiritual impact of daily Mass in childhood.
  • The tradition of praying the rosary as a family, including humorous stories about language and leadership.
  • The influence of extended family members and the importance of faith passed down through generations.
• Marriage & Faith Journeys
  • How his grandparents met in a hospital and the role of faith in their relationship.
  • The story of his mother’s conversion from Methodism to Catholicism, including challenges and family dynamics.
  • The impact of church camp experiences and the importance of community in faith formation.
• Vocation Discernment
  • Memorable moments from college, including quirky traditions at the University of Dallas and signs pointing toward the priesthood.
  • The role of friends, family, and unexpected encounters in discerning his vocation.
  • Seminary experiences: intellectual, spiritual, and pastoral formation.
• Priesthood & Ministry
  • Reflections on the “ministry of presence” and what it means to serve as a priest.
  • Stories of working with Hispanic communities and helping start new ministries.
  • The joy of being a bridge between the institutional church and the movement of the Spirit among laypeople.
• Closing Thoughts
  • Returning to St. John Henry Newman’s prayer: the importance of being a link in the chain of faith.
  • Encouragement for listeners to reflect on their own role in passing on faith and supporting others in their spiritual journeys.

Key Quotes

• “I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for nothing. I shall do good. I shall do his work.”
  — St. John Henry Newman (read by Father Fritz)
• “The blessings I’ve received from God… have been because of the many people who’ve gone before me in faithfulness to God.”

Resources & Mentions

• St. John Henry Newman’s prayer
• University of Dallas, Texas
• Catholic Familyland, Bloomingdale, Ohio
• St. Francis Assisi Parish, Canton, OH
• Holy Family Parish, Brewster & Navarre, OH

Call to Action

• Reflect on your own “chain of faith.” Who has influenced your spiritual journey?
• Consider ways you can be a link for others—through prayer, service, or sharing your story.

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