At the 2025 Bishop’s Fishing Tournament, hosted by the Western South Dakota Catholic Foundation, transitional deacon Todd VanderMay shared his powerful vocation story. His journey from the high school wrestling mat to the seminary chapel reminds us why supporting vocations in our diocese is not just important, but essential. Watch the video below.
Growing up in Martin, South Dakota, Todd dreamed of wrestling glory. In his hometown, wrestlers who reached 100 wins or placed at state were honored with a photo on the auditorium wall. That was the legacy he chased. He pushed hard through high school, trying to make it to state one last time during his senior year. At the same time, he was preparing for college and piling on extracurriculars for scholarship applications. One of those commitments was unexpected—teaching sixth-grade catechism.
He didn’t know much about the faith, but he agreed to teach. Week by week, he learned alongside his students. Then on the final day of class, the students asked to watch The Passion of the Christ. They shared pizza and root beer floats as the film played. By the end of the movie, Todd was sobbing. Something changed. For the first time, he truly encountered the depth of Christ’s suffering and the gift of the faith he had only begun to understand.
After graduating, Todd didn’t go to college. Something deeper was stirring. He felt that life had to be more than chasing success, happiness, or approval. His pastor connected him with the Diocese of Rapid City’s Vocations Director, Fr. Mark. Todd visited the seminary twice and felt out of place both times, but he knew if he didn’t give it an honest try, he would never know. Nine years later, Todd is now a transitional deacon and one step away from priesthood.
He credits his grandmother as the first person to plant the idea of priesthood in his heart, long before high school. He ignored it at the time, but her quiet encouragement stayed with him.
Todd’s testimony is more than a personal story. It is a reflection of what God is doing through your support. The Diocese of Rapid City spans over 43,000 square miles. Many rural parishes simply cannot afford to employ a full-time priest. Some priests travel more than 200 miles each weekend to serve small faith communities with Mass and sacraments. Supporting vocations through the Western South Dakota Catholic Foundation ensures that our rural parishes are not forgotten, and that future priests like Deacon Todd are formed and ready to serve.
Watch the video to list to Deacon Todd tell his story.
When you support vocations, you are making sure the people of western South Dakota have access to the sacraments, spiritual guidance, and hope, no matter how remote their town may be.
Thank you for helping us raise up the next generation of shepherds for our diocese.
Support the Future of Our Faith
Your generosity today helps form seminarians like Todd and ensures that every parish, no matter how rural, has access to pastoral care and the sacraments. Please consider purchasing raffle tickets, attending our next fishing tournament, or making a gift to the Western South Dakota Catholic Foundation. Together, we can nurture vocations and strengthen our faith community.
