Former architect builds on faith

Father William Baer went from building with wood to building with ‘living stones’ . . .

Fr. William Baer

Fr. William Baer
Twin Cities Chapter

After several years of designing buildings, a young William Baer set his sights on building with “living stones.” The Baltimore native graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in architecture. Following a brief career as an architect, he served as a lay campus minister in Maryland and Michigan. He discerned his priestly vocation and was ordained for the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis in 1996. For the past 11 years he has served as the Twin Cities Chapter’s chaplain and rector-president of St. John Vianney College Seminary in St. Paul.

You were an architect before entering the seminary.

Yes. I had wanted to be an architect ever since I was a young boy. My best friend’s dad was one. I practiced with a firm for two years after I got my degree. I practiced with a firm for two years. I designed a number of buildings — schools and even a Lutheran church. Then I began what ultimately was 11 years of full-time work with campus outreach efforts — first in Baltimore then in Ann Arbor at the University of Michigan.

Much of my discernment had to do with the influence of then-Auxiliary Bishop Carlson of St. Paul-Minneapolis. He invited me to come up to St. Paul to begin my studies for the priesthood here in Minnesota. So that was the connection.

Did you feel the call to the priesthood before you became an architect?

I was born in 1957, so I grew up in a very difficult time for priestly vocations. Several priests from my parishes left the priesthood. The role models I found came later in my life, so at that time I wasn’t interested in a religious vocation. The Lord got to me by first giving me a greater interest in working with young people to share the faith. It was through that ministry that the Lord worked with my priestly calling.

Many times people see priesthood as going from not doing anything for Christ and the Church to doing something. I already was doing something very important, and the beauty of this was that it forced the question: “What is distinct to priesthood about that?” There are many people, many vocations who do great things, but what does a priest specifically do? That was important for me. With celibacy, I was already a member of a lay brotherhood, so once again I was already committed in a basic sense. But what is distinct about priestly celibacy? It’s not just to have more time to do more good work; it has something very much to do with a spousal relationship with the Church, and that was the key part of the Lord’s discernment for me.

Tell me about the seminary and the changes you’ve seen since you began your tenure.

The principle work that I’ve done in my 11 years here is to strengthen the Catholic formation of these young men. Today’s young seminarians are remarkable. They are wholesome, they’re masculine, they love the Church, they’re ready to defend the Church, and even to die for the Church. But they have two particular challenges. One is that they’ve grown up in a fast-paced, disordered youth culture in America. Many of them expect to hear a word from God as quick as they get other information from Google. They can’t believe that God will take a little bit longer to show them His will for their life.

The second challenge is that many of them don’t know what it’s like to have two days in a row that are the same. They’ve lived a very fast-paced, but unstable life. Sometimes things as simple as teaching them to get up and go to bed at the same time is quite a revolution. They’re a great young generation with great promise for the Church, but they need some very basic formation at the same time.

We’ve grown tremendously now. At 165, we’re the largest college seminary in the United States. There are only about 1,350 college seminarians in America, so more than 10% are here at this place. They’re from 28 dioceses — all the way from Mobile, Ala., and Savannah, Ga., all the way up to the Canadian border and Duluth, Minn.

There are many good things happening with seminaries today. There were very difficult years in which there was much compromise and corruption, but through the impact of Pope John Paul, Pope Benedict, and also through a number of stronger directives in the screening process, there are much more sound candidates coming than even 20 years ago.

How did you first get involved with Legatus?

During my years in the Ann Arbor area, I knew a number of the men who worked with Mr. Monaghan as he first developed Legatus. I was impressed with the mission, that Catholic business leaders have authentic spiritual needs. As I was ordained here in the archdiocese of Saint Paul-Minneapolis, a request came from Legatus to assist as a chaplain. I was delighted to accept, and I was appointed the chaplain by my archbishop. I have been happily serving them for the last 11 years.

What impact has Legatus had on you?

As a seminary rector, it’s important for me to remember: “Who are these future priests going to be ministering to?” The opportunity to be with the members of Legatus is a chance to remember that these young men will need to provide solid spiritual teaching, Catholic formation and ministry to these real live people. It takes my own work as seminary rector from a very theoretical issue to becoming quite real.

Legatus has actually strengthened my own spiritual life because many of these fine lay Catholics offer me insight into how to be creative in this challenging world of ours. They have entrepreneurial gifts, creative energy, and practical sense — all things that I need as a priest and seminary rector. So I’m not ashamed to plagiarize from the very good qualities and character strengths and gifts that the members of Legatus have. They’re a great inspiration to my priesthood.

Do you have hobbies outside of your day-to-day ministry?

As a former architect, I have to say, there is no such thing really as a “former architect.” It gets in your blood, so I still enjoy anything related to looking around at buildings and sites for my architectural interests. With regard to church architecture, I’m very pleased to see some of the developments right now towards rediscovering the beauty of traditional design. After 100 years of silliness, I think we’re getting back on track.