Ministering through relationships

Northeast Wisconsin chaplain’s allows God to minister to Legates via his enthusiasm. . .

Father John Doerfler
Northeast Wisconsin Chapter

Even though as a young man he had his mind set upon becoming an engineer, Fr. John Doerfler has absolutely no qualms about his vocation. By the time he turned 40, he was the chancellor of the Diocese of Green Bay. Now 45, he’s added vicar general of the diocese to his portfolio. The Appleton, Wis., native was ordained for his home diocese 18 years ago. The chaplain enjoys classic movies, bicycling and cooking. He says his five years as Legatus chaplain has been very rewarding.

Tell me about your upbringing. How did you discern your vocation?

I was highly involved in youth ministry programs in high school. My parents have a very vibrant faith, and they passed that on to me at a very young age. I grew up in church in one way or another.

In my junior year of high school, some thoughts about priesthood began to cross my mind. I didn’t pay a lot of attention to it until, upon my interview before I was confirmed, the director of religious education asked me if I had ever considered priesthood. I answered Yes, but didn’t follow up with that conversation until a few weeks later when I attended a national youth ministry conference in Indianapolis.

On my way home on the bus, this thought popped into my mind, “John, can you picture yourself doing anything else with your life other than working with the Church?” I couldn’t picture myself doing anything else. Later that summer, as I was looking at colleges, I decided to enter college seminary because I needed to discern further.

Now you’re the chancellor and vicar general for the Green Bay diocese.

Yes. I’ve been chancellor for five years. Prior to that I served as a judge on our diocesan tribunal, and was also pastor of a small parish. After my first parish assignment, Bishop [Robert] Banks sent me back to school for additional studies. I obtained a licentiate degree in canon law, and finished up a licentiate in moral theology. When I became vicar general, Bishop [David] Zubick asked me to finish my doctorate in moral theology.

How did you first get involved with Legatus?

When I became vicar general and chancellor five years ago, Bishop Zubick appointed me as the Legatus chaplain because my predecessor, the previous vicar general, had served as the chaplain, and he retired. I was very happy to step into that ministry. It’s just an outstanding group who are members here in Northeast Wisconsin.

I appreciate establishing friendships with the members of Legatus. Not only do those relationships offer me personal support, but it’s my hope that I can support them in their mission to bring their faith into the business world.

In many ways, ministry is about relationships. This really has to do with who we are, created in the image and likeness of God, who is a Trinity of Persons. We bring our faith into practice in the world today by establishing relationships with other people. We live in a fragmented world, and if we’re going to bring that love of Christ to a fragmented world, it has to be through interpersonal relationships.

How would you describe your ministry to Legatus members?

I just show up. That may sound a little bit funny, but that’s really what priesthood is about: showing up. Because God does the work. So if He uses me as an instrument to touch the lives of people, then that’s really his work. It’s up to me to show up and do my best to stay out of the way of the Lord doing his work.