He still sounds like a professional broadcaster with his high energy, clear baritone and natural gift for storytelling.
Deacon Alex Solsma was already working as a radio sportscaster before graduating from the University of Iowa in Iowa City in 2011, and his career path seemed certain when he landed a gig in Appleton, Wis., doing play-by-play for local teams, traveling to Green Bay to cover the Packers and eyeing a chance for a bigger opportunity.
An admitted workaholic, he still found time for an active parish life in Appleton and formed friendships with some priests. “I loved the work I was doing,” said the Iowa native. “It was a lot of early mornings and late nights but I loved broadcasting, so it was tough to walk away from that. But I felt an interior invitation from the Lord to give seminary a chance.”
He enrolled at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, but after covering the NFL, “philosophy wasn’t that interesting for me,” he said. “I also wanted to date and having a family was very attractive, so I ended up leaving the seminary, got back into radio again briefly, but eventually wanted to transition into a communications or public relations job.”
It seemed like a long shot to apply for a job as director of communications at the Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria in 2018. “I wasn’t necessarily looking to work for the church,” said Deacon Solsma, 37. “But they flew me out for the interview and were impressed that I had a journalism background, had been a seminarian and was a faithful Catholic. So I was offered the job by Father (Edward C.) Hathaway and worked there for three years.”
Deacon Solsma soon discovered that he was working at a dynamic Catholic parish. “Being involved in a professional capacity, I got to stand aside and see how the priests interacted with the parishioners and to appreciate the great work they do,” he said. “The desire to return to seminary steadily grew, then in 2020, COVID happened.”
His work took on a different role with an emphasis on podcasting and livestreaming Masses, where he was one of the few laypeople in attendance. “The external distractions were removed and I started to consider the priesthood even more seriously,” he said. “I think having that time of closeness with the Lord throughout the pandemic was a privilege.”
As a student of American history, returning to seminary in 2021 at St. Charles Borromeo in Philadelphia was as good as it gets. “It was a place that was essential for the flourishing and growth of Catholicism in the U.S.,” he said. “For someone who loves American history, it’s the birthplace of the United States where the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence were written, and for someone who loves sports, it’s one of the most avid sports cities in the country. So it was fun to be able to explore all of those passions there, but also to be serving the Lord at the same time.”
By studying the lives of the great figures in history, Deacon Solsma thinks he’ll be a better priest. “You realize in reading biographies that lives are complex,” he said. “There’s a lot of nuance that needs to be understood, and I think it will help me to be more merciful and more open to people when it comes to ministry.”
The years of interviewing athletes, listening and responding to men and women at their highest and lowest moments, was also important training for a future priest. “As a priest, you do a lot of the same things,” said Deacon Solsma, who will serve as parochial vicar at St. Theresa Church in Ashburn. “You’re an observer as a priest, but you also get to accompany people as you bring the Lord into their lives.”
