ORAN NATIVE WILL BE ORDAINED AS PRIEST; DAVID DOHOGNE AMONG SMALL GROUP CHOOSING CAREER PATH

Serving as an altar boy in his younger days, David Dohogne dreamed of one day becoming a priest. On May 30, his dream will come true.

Dohogne, a native of Oran, will be ordained a priest for the Catholic Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau by Bishop John J. Leibrecht at 5 p.m. in Guardian Angel Church in Oran.

He will celebrate his first mass May 31 at 9:30 a.m. at the church.

Dohogne, 27, is one of fewer and fewer young men choosing the priesthood as a vocation.

Marilyn Vydra, director of communications services for the diocese, said the median age of priests is rising nationwide.

"Fewer young men are going into the priesthood," she said. "It's a lifestyle that takes a lot of thinking about. It is a choice a man must make that is a lifetime choice. It's something you just don't go into lightly."

While the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Diocese has not been affected, Vydra said nationwide the Catholic church is experiencing a shortage of priests.

In an interview from St. Agnes Cathedral Parish in Springfield, where Dohogne is serving as a deacon, he admitted that becoming a priest is not an easy decision.

"I think it's a lifestyle that may not be popular in our society because it's a life-long commitment, unlike any other field," Dohogne said.

"When I talk with younger people in high schools they mention the money and also the fact that it's a life-long commitment. If you get tired of doing this, you can't switch over to something else.

"Also they mention the amount of preparation. It takes about nine years of college and theology training. Some people aren't ready to spend that much time in school."

In response, Dohogne said, the diocese has taken steps to make sure persons who might consider the priesthood as a vocation have the information they need.

"We are really trying to get the pastors involved in talking with people who might be interested and really inviting the folks to serve. I think there are a lot of people who may have thought about it, but say `I was never asked.'"

Dohogne is the son of James and Mary Dohogne.

For Dohogne, the decision came early in life. "I've been interested in this since second or third grade," he said. "This is kind of a life-long interest for me.

"In grade school I was a server and an altar boy. It was one of the things I loved to do and it kept the desire for priesthood burning," he said.

After graduating from Oran High School, Dohogne attended Cardinal Glennon College in St. Louis for four years.

He then attended Kenrick Seminary, a theology school, for four and a half years.

As part of that study, Dohogne served an internship at Immaculate Conception parish in New Madrid.

"Serving an internship is kind of a new thing," Dohogne said. "They get you out full-time in a parish to see if this is really what you like."

Dohogne said his internship solidified his decision. "I got a lot of support and encouragement from the people in New Madrid."

A year ago, he was ordained a deacon, the final step before being ordained a priest.

Dohogne's assignment will be announced by the bishop during the ordination ceremony.

"Hopefully I will be assigned to a parish," Dohogne said. "I like the parish setting. You get involved in everything visiting the sick, those at home, schools, doing marriage preparation, everything.

"As a priest, you get to be with people in all different moments of life, happy times and sad times."