Meet Deacon Travis Stephens

The following is another item in our Epigram series of articles.

Meet Deacon Travis Stephens

By Gary Marvin

Deacon Travis Stephens, a student at St. Meinrad Seminary, has recently begun ministering at Epiphany as part of his practical education in preparation for his ordination as a Catholic priest next summer. He is a tall young man with an infectious smile and a comfortableness in conversation with people. Deacon Travis will be receiving some hands-on experience about parish administration as he works with Fr. Randy, other parish staff, and various members of our community. His visits will be random because he is still taking classes full time at St. Meinrad. He was able to be the homilist at all Masses on the weekend of November 12-13, 2011.

Travis was born and raised at his family home in Yorktown, Indiana, a town just outside of Muncie. His parents own a farm that has been in the family for at least three generations. Although his parents are not church goers, he and his brothers began looking for a faith community when they were in high school. A friend invited him to look into the local Catholic Church. It was there that he found a welcoming parish priest, a faith tradition and a community with which he felt at home. He and his brothers began weekly meetings that led to their reception into the Catholic Church through baptism and confirmation at the Easter Vigil the following spring.

After graduation from high school Travis enrolled at Ball State University where he received his Bachelor’s degree with five majors: Chemistry, Biology, Bio-Chemistry, Pre-Med, and Philosophy. He was thinking of a career in medicine but felt a growing call to some other form of service as his life’s work. At this time he was active in retreats for young people, even having some retreat gatherings at his parent’s farm. He met a local priest and marveled at the fulfillment and genuine happiness he saw in this man. This lead him to enroll in the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio where he studied Philosophy for 2 years as part of the pre-Theology program for those seeking the Catholic priesthood. He took time off from formal education to work in a “pastoral year” where he could receive hands-on experience in various church ministries. He then entered St. Meinrad School of Theology three years ago, where he looks forward to receiving a Masters of Divinity (M.Div.) degree this coming May. This is a four year professional degree for those seeking ordination as a Catholic priest. He will be ordained a priest for the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana (his home diocese) after graduation. He looks forward to working in a pastoral ministry assignment at that time. Travis enjoys teaching and pastoral counseling and looks forward to using these skills in a pastoral setting.

Travis enjoys traveling and many forms of physical exercise, especially swimming. He is already a world traveler, having visited most of the countries in Europe as well as South Korea, Kenya and Guatemala, where he also learned conversational Spanish. These experiences have been not only a personal enjoyment but have added to his appreciation of people from various cultures and life situations.

Deacon Travis will join us again in February and be with us off and on during Lent 2012.