Priest Profiles: Fr. Charles Fladung

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Name: Fr. Charles Fladung 

Age: 53

Years ordained: 17

Current assignment: Pastor, Holy Trinity Parish in Keota and St. Mary Parish in Sigourney

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How did you know you were being called to priesthood?

Initially, I didn’t know, and had never given priesthood a thought.  My calling came through the encouragement of parishioners to become a priest.  Later, through the discernment process in the seminary and the introduction of spiritual direction my priesthood vocation became clearer to me.

Aside from your ordination Mass, what was your most memorable Mass?

The Masses that are most memorable for me include many occasions in the lives of my family, namely my brother’s wedding, my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary, funeral Masses for my grandmother and aunts, and those special times when being welcomed into a new parish or at the farewell times when assignments change.  Getting to a Mass sometimes is even more memorable when the roads are snow and ice covered. One Christmas Eve in Charlotte, a parishioner loaned me his 4×4 to make it to Bryant and Sugar Creek, a drive on Highway 136 I will never forget.

What is most rewarding about being a priest? It was finding out and accepting that I was answering a call from God to serve as a priest. He already had this calling in mind for me and from there it has brought great peace of mind and soul knowing I am following his will.  I enjoy serving people and helping them find the connections of faith in their own lives. 

What is most challenging about being a priest? I find that pastors have to be knowledgeable in so many, many areas of human interests and fields of study.  The best part is that you have an entire lifetime to learn new things every day, so that is a challenging aspect to find the answers or ways to help people. 

What is your favorite Scripture passage? Luke 10:2

What is your hobby? I maintain my interesting in farming.  My brother lets me operate his combine for my family in the fall, so keeping current with the crops and the growing season keeps me rooted. Harvest time is my favorite time of the year.   


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