Impact Maker Interview 2 – Fr. Don

We have a lot to learn from others that are trying to build their communities and their woodpiles. Today’s interview picks another person we’ve identified as giving back to their community in some way and tries to learn from them.

If you know someone you would like to nominate for an interview, please drop me a note with a brief story about why that person should be featured.

Today we are honored to hear from a bit of a legendary wood-piler, someone who truly turned his life over to building up others and the community. As is to be expected if you know him, this is a humble interview. Don’t be fooled. I hope that the comments will be a place where people who know him can share their perspectives.

Today’s Interview: Fr. Don Braukmann

Tell us about yourself, where you live, and your family.

I presently live at WindSong care center in Bemidji.  I have lived in Bemidji for 7+ years and have fallen in love with this community…it has become “home.”  I was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) in December of 2017 and retired from serving as a priest at St. Philip’s on July 1, 2018 as a result…moving into WindSong at that time.  I have chosen to stay in Bemidji for the duration of my life because, as I said, Bemidji is HOME.

What makes your community special?

I grew up on a farm near New York Mills, Minnesota, and went to school in NYM K-12.

So, I loved the small town feel and Bemidji seems to have the perfect balance between a small town feel yet it offers the things I enjoy most:  watching high school and college sports teams, movies, places to eat, plays, etc.  Bemidji has the best of both worlds.

What do you do to make your community better (volunteer, donate, etc.)?

Being a priest for 7 years here I did what I could to help promote the needs of the poor and forgotten in our community.  That work/ministry was taking place long before I came to Bemidji but I would like to think I have supported that work.  Just helping people to love themselves and their neighbor through my priestly ministry makes for a better community, I hope!

How do you impact others with your work/vocation?

First and foremost by just showing up.  Being involved in the community and encouraging/ supporting people as they live their daily lives.  As with most things in life, just “showing up” makes a difference…hopefully always for the better!

As a priest I have the privilege of being on the front lines of people’s lives as they face the victories and defeats we all face.  Being “present” in those situations helps others know they are not alone and, hopefully, that God cares and is present as well no matter the situation.  A priest has the honor of bringing Christ PHYSICALLY into the areas of our lives where we need Christ most.  We are not Christ Himself, of course, but stand in the name of Christ in the middle of the journey home to him.

Tell us about how you build your family up for success?

Be kind and encourage…and LISTEN!

What have the results been?

Others will have to judge that…but I know I am happy!

Talk about the event, organization or activity you’ve been involved in that made the biggest impact?

Making St. Philip’s a source of compassion and understanding in the community while standing up for justice.

Examples of compassion/justice:

Through the various ministries of charity:  the Clothing Depot, sponsorship of Churches United and support for the Community Food Shelf (along with many other charities) St. Philip’s joins with the wider community to ease the burden, even if just temporarily, of those who suffer.  Through its own St. Vincent DePaul Society, St. Philip’s also works to meet the long term needs of the poor through assistance with budgeting, finding work, dealing with creditors, etc.   These things, along with the day to day ministry of the parish staff in visiting the sick, counseling those in need and the parish school with 330 students, St. Philip’s makes a difference by proclaiming through its prayer and action that there IS HOPE!

Who or what inspired you to give back of yourself?

That happened long ago with my Dad.  He was very involved in the community serving on different boards…especially the school board.  As I said, he just “showed up” to serve.

What has been the biggest obstacle for you personally in trying to be a community builder, and how did you or do you hope to overcome it?

Trying to end prejudice and promote justice is difficult as it is in every community.  Yet, I feel Bemidji has gone the extra mile in trying to address the needs of its citizens from city government to project planners, etc.  The needs will never all be met but one day, one step at a time is the only way to make a dent.

What legacy do you hope to leave?

That God loves us…and our “neighbor” is not just those who think like we do.

What advice to you want to give someone trying to build their woodpile?

Be sure you know your “ax”…and stay focused on the goal, the good, by using your talents where they will make a difference.

Feel free to leave your thoughts or questions for Fr. Don in the comments below. If you want to catch future Impact Maker Interviews, please follow us at your favorite social media link at the top right of the page, or leave your email in the box to the right.