by Leyton Beardslee, Reporter and Farmer
Reprinted with permission
Former Webster Area High School graduate Alexander Leschisin will be ordained a transitional deacon May 28.
The son of Doug and Connie Leschisin, he grew up in rural Webster and Eden and has been Catholic his whole life. According to Leschisin, after studying civil engineering for a year at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, he felt God was inviting him to discern a life devotion and service to Him. Leschisin transferred to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota where he studied philosophy at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary and, after gaining his bachelor’s degree, said he has been pursuing a Master of Divinity at Saint Paul Seminary.
During his seven years and counting in seminary, Leschisin said he has been living, studying and praying with other seminarians in addition to his university studies. Though Leschisin said he wasn’t certain God was calling him to be a priest when he entered seminary in 2018, he was certain God was calling him to grow in love of Him and in personal holiness. According to Leschisin, he gradually grew in confidence God was calling him to the priesthood.
Some of the duties Leschisin said he will have as a deacon are assisting the priest at mass, witnessing marriages on behalf of the church, preaching at mass and serving the needs of the Christian community. Another responsibility Leschisin said he will have is to be with individuals, families and parishes in their difficulties and sufferings like funerals.
A transitional deacon, according to Leschisin, is one of two types of deacons, the other being permanent deacons who are ordained to serve always as deacons. As a transitional deacon Leschisin said he will eventually be ordained a priest which he expects to happen spring of 2026.
Leschisin said, “Part of my promise of obedience to my bishop entails serving where he asks me to go, which means occasionally saying goodbye to families and communities I have grown to know and love very well.”
While this may be difficult, Leschisin said he is looking forward to preaching at mass, celebrating the sacraments and the parish ministry after many years of studying and gaining information.
According to Leschisin some of the most influential people over the course of his life have been his parents who he called “my first teachers of the faith.” He also mentioned Father Bill Hamak and Father David Axtmann as two priests he was blessed to have been around growing up.
“There are the uncounted people who have prayed for and supported me over the years, many of whom I will hopefully have the opportunity to serve as a deacon and priest,” Leschisin said.
As a Catholic Leschisin said it is sad to mourn the recent passing of Pope Francis but exciting to pray for Pope Leo XIV and anticipate the things he might call for Catholics to focus on.
“I cannot imagine a life that is more fulfilling than the one I have been called to, and I am certain many young people today would too,” Leschisin said.
The soon-to-be-deacon invites all to come attend as he preaches for the first time at the Sunday Mass at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart in Eden on Sunday, June 1.
