St. Clement pastor is Fisher of Men, inspiring vocations through love of his priesthood

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Msgr. James Pieper is a self-described "happy priest" whose love of his vocation is obvious to all who meet him. His joyful witness to Christ and example to others has earned the pastor of St. Clement of Rome Parish in Des Peres the inaugural Fisher of Men Award from the archdiocesan Office of Vocations.

Msgr. Pieper received the award at Mass Jan. 15 at St. Clement. The Fisher of Men Award is for priests who, by word and example, foster a culture of vocations to the priesthood and religious life, explained Father Christopher Martin, vocations director. The term "fishers of men" comes from the fourth chapter of Matthew when Jesus called to fisherman Simon Peter and his brother Andrew and said, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men."

Parishioners were asked to nominate their pastors or other priests they considered worthy of the award. In all, 18 priests were nominated from around the archdiocese, several with multiple nominations. Msgr. Pieper had three nominations.

"Msgr. Pieper is a great example of a priest who helps young men discern their vocation," said Father Martin. "By the very way Msgr. Pieper lives out his priesthood, he's a model and example for young men. And I think by his love for his parish and his priestly ministry, he just very naturally develops a culture of vocations in his parish."

Msgr. Pieper called the award an honor and a good way to promote vocations. "It's always good to heighten the awareness of the importance of encouraging vocations to the priesthood."

Currently there are five young men from St. Clement in the seminary, including two studying in religious orders, one at the Pontifical North American College in Rome and two at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary. There is also a young woman from the parish in simple profession for a religious order and another one considering a possible vocation.

"It's a good number and very gratifying," said Msgr. Pieper, who has been at St. Clement for 21 years. "It's a real attribute to the families from which they come, all very, very good families, very faithful in the practice of their faith and undoubtedly have given great encouragement to their sons to pursue what they feel God is calling them to. Encourage, not discourage or push. When children express some interest, you encourage it."

George Staley, currently in his second year at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, has been a member of St. Clement since he was a very small child. He said Msgr. Pieper has "a loving and pastoral heart."

"I have really grown to appreciate Msgr. Pieper's pastoral ministry a lot more since I've been at seminary," Staley said. "He is such a very good example of a priest. I have a much better appreciation for him, and from him I am learning about the priesthood."

St. Clement has 1,535 households. Staley said Msgr. Pieper tries to know everybody's name in the parish and even "gets out the parish directory and tries to learn the faces and names so he can address parishioners by name." Staley said, "These kinds of things he does on his own time. It is inspiring to someone like me, a seminarian." And a practical idea as well, to help learn everyone's name, he added.

"Msgr. Piper always appears joyful," Staley said.

That was noted in the nominations Msgr. Pieper received for the Fisher of Men Award. Parishioner Lynn Chasteen wrote that Msgr. Pieper is "an inspiration to all. Christ reigns in his heart ... His smile is contagious."

Tom Johans wrote, "People want to be like Msgr. Pieper — happy, joyful and obviously enjoying his work. He brings people into God's service."

Msgr. Pieper said, "It is an honor that people would think of you in those terms. But really, it is a tribute to the parish and people, the families who have young men in the seminary, and all the many wonderful members of the parish."