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Formal installation ceremony as the sixth Pastor of Saint Columbkille Parish

Family:
He was born in Norfolk, Nebraska and lived in Humphrey until he was six years old when his family moved to Columbus. His mother, Betty, still lives in Columbus his father, Victor, died in 1978. His siblings all live in Nebraska: Kathy Renken and Theresa Taute live in Bertrand, Dale Zuerlein lives in Lincoln, Doris Augspurger lives in Columbus and Bernice Reiser lives in Waverly. Fr. Damian has 18 nieces and nephews ranging in age from 2 years to 23.

Education:
Fr. Damian attended West Park and St. Isidore grade schools and Scotus Catholic High School. He did his first year of college at Platte Community College and then completed his BA in philosophy at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota while attending St. John Vianney College Seminary. He did his major seminary education at the St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul. He has done ongoing studies in counseling at UNO and spirituality at Creighton. He did Spanish language and cultural studies at the Mexican American Cultural Center in San Antonio and the Spanish Language Institute in Cuernavaca, Mexico. In 2001 he did a six-month sabbatical studying theology at the Catholic University in Leuven, Belgium.

Work Experience:
While in high school and college Fr. Damian worked as a shoe salesman, a sporting goods clerk, a factory worker at Behlen's Manufacturing, and a laborer for a landscaping company. Since ordination he has been assigned to Sacred
Heart in Norfolk, and St. Pius X, Mary Our Queen and Our Lady of Guadalupe parishes in Omaha. He taught high school in Norfolk and started Guadalupe-Inez
Grade School in Omaha.

Other commitments:
Fr. Damian is President of the Archdiocesan Council of Priests, he serves on the Priest's Personnel Board, is the spiritual director for the Christians Encounter Christ movement, and is a member of the following boards: Omaha Food Bank, Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, Hate Crimes Commission, Latino Scholarship Board, Lay Ministry Formation Advisory Board, Ixim-Spirit of Solidarity Board, Make-A-Wish Foundation, UNO Chancellor's Advisory Board on Latino Issues, and the Stewardship Advisory Council. He also serves as a mentor to young clergy.