“Recognize that the Apostles were just fishermen. They were just tax collectors. They were sinners. They were imperfect, normal dudes like you.” Fr. Pierre Konja joins Men of the Hearts hosts Fr. Craig and Fr. Drew to talk about his journey to the priesthood for the Chaldean Eparchy of St. Thomas the Apostle in Detroit. He encourages young men in discernment to “go to the Gospels” and allow themselves to “fall deeply in love with God.”

(0:26) Hosts Fr. Craig Giera and Fr. Drew Mabee introduce their guest this month, Father Pierre Konja, a Chaldean priest from the Eparchy of St. Thomas the Apostle in Detroit. Father shares about the Eparchy, an ecclesiastical province separate from the Archdiocese of Detroit but still in communion with the Holy Father.

(4:36) The group discusses vocations work as Father Konja reflects on his time serving as vocations director. He connects the role of the priesthood with fatherhood, particularly for vocations directors who are tasked with helping young men discern and preparing future priests for “the fruitfulness and the challenges and the joys of the priesthood.” Fr. Konja then segues into sharing his own story of discerning his vocation to the priesthood.

(7:54) Fr. Konja’s journey to the priesthood was straightforward: “I've always loved God. I always went to church, and then fell in love with God, and then I wanted to serve God.” He also shares the advice he gives to seminarians that also applies to everyone seeking their vocation in life: Go to the Eucharist, go to the Word, and go to the Gospels. Fr. Drew and Fr. Craig provide updates on their lives and ministries.

(13:10) Conversation turns back to Fr. Konja’s early life and vocation story. Born and raised in Detroit, he attended Catholic school and went to church regularly with his family. He felt challenged in his faith while attending University of Detroit Jesuit for high school, but continued to pray and attend daily Mass periodically. The group then talks about the strong culture of faith in the Chaldean community.

(19:57) Fr. Konja recalls first considering the priesthood during his junior year of high school, inspired by his theology teacher who first introduced him to the Catechism of the Catholic Church. He shares his devotion to Thérèse of Lisieux, especially her “Little Way” spirituality. He recalls going on a pilgrimage to Rome during the summer after graduating from high school, and later attended Oakland University while continuing to discern the priesthood. He ultimately applied and entered the seminary a year later.

(29:34) Fr. Konja talks about the diversity of clergy in the Chaldean Church, with some who have immigrated here and others who are American-born. While some may draw distinctions between these groups, Fr. Konja says there is great unity within the clergy community. Father Craig remarks that no two days are the same as a priest, especially as a vocations director. Fr. Konja then talks about the Eastern Catholic Evangelization Center, a lay-run evangelization ministry overseen by the Eparchy.

(34:30) The group discusses how Chaldean men are able to join religious orders. There is also a Chaldean women’s order called Daughters of Mary Immaculate. They then discuss Marian consecration and the need for every priest to have a relationship with the Blessed Mother. Fr. Konja talks about efforts in his parish to livestream Masses and reach people through social media.

(39:01) Fr. Konja talks about spending a year in an Iraqi seminary serving as assistant to the rector and reflects on some of the differences he saw between the Iraqi and American Christian communities. He gives his advice to young men trying to hear the Lord. The episode concludes with an invitation for listeners to visit a Chaldean church to experience a new expression of our shared faith, and then a prayer and blessing.