Testimony of Fr. Fredrick Schlueter: Faith, Family, and Vocation

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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Magnificat® Proclaims Ep. 8 | Testimony of Michelle Seghers

In this episode of Magnificat® Proclaims, Michelle Seghers—International Event Coordinator for Magnificat, mother of nine, and grandmother of twenty—shares how her childhood faith, rooted in a loving home, shaped her lifelong walk with the Lord.

Michelle opens up about her daily prayer life, the decision to homeschool her children, and the joys and struggles she and her husband faced while choosing to live in obedience to God. She also shares the story of founding Totus Tuus Ministries, dedicated to evangelizing Catholics through multimedia, retreats, and Scripture study.

Magnificat® Proclaims, hosted by Monique Moussot and Maryann Ridini Spencer, brings powerful testimonies of God’s goodness and grace to inspire your faith journey.

👉 Watch on YouTube | Listen on UCPN

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Magnificat® Ministry Presents Magnificat® Proclaims

Episode 8: Michelle Seghers

Magnificat® Ministry Presents Magnificat® Proclaims. In this episode, Michelle Seghers, International Event Coordinator for Magnificat, and mother to nine children and grandmother to twenty grandchildren, discusses how she began a relationship with the Lord at an early age. Michelle grew up in a loving, faith-filled home where nuns and priests were always welcome. She credits those early, happy experiences with giving her a solid foundation in the faith.

In addition to sharing several “God experiences,” Michelle also discusses:

The importance of daily prayer and communication with God
The reasons behind her decision to homeschool her children
How she and her husband, Jimmy, met
The challenges they faced in choosing to live in obedience to God
The founding of Totus Tuus Ministries, which evangelizes Catholics through multimedia, retreats, conferences, Sacred Scripture study, and Apologetics

Magnificat® Proclaims is a platform for inspiring testimonies that showcase God’s goodness, greatness, and grace in our lives.

These testimonies not only inform and educate but also encourage and inspire us to develop, deepen, and cultivate our relationship with the Triune God. The show hosts are Monique Moussot and Maryann Ridini Spencer.

👉 Please SUBSCRIBE, LIKE & SHARE Magnificat® Ministry’s Podcasts!

📺 Watch the video podcast of this episode on Magnificat Ministry’s YouTube Channel
🌐 Visit: Magnificat® Ministry and explore the Magnificat Proclaims books in the store.
🎧 Listen to our podcasts on The Ultimate Christian Podcast Network, iTunes, iHeart Radio, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.

About Magnificat® Ministry

Founded in 1981, Magnificat®—A Ministry to Catholic Women, is an international nonprofit with over 70 Chapters across the globe. The ministry exists to evangelize and encourage Catholic women to grow in holiness by opening more fully to the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

“My Soul Magnifies the Lord,” recorded in Luke 1:46, is the beginning of Mary’s response to Elizabeth’s joyful greeting. The entire scene of the Visitation is the inspiration for this ministry.

Through quarterly gatherings that include a Chapter Meal, praise and worship, guest speakers proclaiming their testimonies of God’s transforming power, and other faith-sharing experiences in a relaxed social setting, women (and men) are inspired and encouraged to grow in faith through the power of the Holy Spirit.

👉 Visit: magnificat-ministry.org
👉 Browse all Magnificat® Ministry Podcasts: UCPN