Karl Hartman

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God calls each of us, and He empowers us through the Holy Spirit to upbuild the Body of Christ, which is the Church (c.f. 1 Corinthians 12). Using these gifts and living our vocation is what we were created for!

The best decision I made in my life was to respond to God calling me. That call now has me in my eighth year of priestly formation on my pastoral internship at St. Timothy Parish in Toronto, Ontario. God-willing, next year I will be ordained a transitional deacon and a PRIEST the following year!! I am so excited by everything the Lord is doing in and through me, and I can’t imagine what He has in store!! 

These past seven years of priestly formation with the Companions of the Cross have built me to be a courageous leader for the New Evangelization. I am blown away by what I am seeing in our youth, young adult, and adult ministries.

This is made possible through those who have invested in my formation – thank you for your prayers, donations, and encouragement. As I look ahead to these final years that will lead to my ordination, I ask that you prayerfully consider continuing your support. Whether you can join with a monthly gift or an annual contribution each year, I invite you to make a donation today. Your gifts are forming the next leaders in the Church – forming those who are seeing “the Church waking up and coming Explosively Alive to the point where it, with the power of the Holy Spirit, will shake the earth with its dynamic presence.”

As members of the Body of Christ, we each have a role to play in waking up the Church. I am grateful for God using me here at St. Timothy’s to advance His reign here on earth. None of which would be possible without your prayers and support. Thank you for the ways you have contributed to what God is doing in my life and the Church. Your support is greatly needed and appreciated.

I invite you to also look at some of my other content, which include ministry updates and talks on my YouTube Channel, Facebook Page, or Instagram Page.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support!

God Bless, Karl Hartman

Where are you from?
I was born July 29, 1995 and raised near St. Marys, Ontario, Canada. I lived on 50 acres of farm land where my father operated his carpentry business. I am the second youngest of my five brothers.

When you were a child, what did you dream of becoming when you grew up?

Growing up, I dreamt I would become a farmer or follow my father into carpentry.

What was your background before you joined the Companions of the Cross?

After graduating high school, I served as a missionary with NET Ministries of Canada (2013-14), worked full time with my family doing general carpentry, and was involved with various apostolic ministries.

What are your special interests?

I enjoy working with my hands, photography, and various sports, in particular, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, soccer, volleyball, and hockey.

Who, or what, inspires you?

Family, godparents, grandparents, Fr. Robert Bedard, CC, St. Andre Bessette, and St. Joseph. They have all inspired me to live a life of Christian discipleship and to work toward advancing the Kingdom of God here on earth with the hope entering through the narrow gate and experiencing an eternal reward.

What led you to join the Companions of the Cross? Can you briefly explain your vocations story?

Growing up, my family lived what I thought was a normal Catholic life. My parents, Paul and Jane, brought the family to Mass every Sunday, we prayed before meals, and frequently prayed the rosary together. I was an active altar server at my home parish, Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church in St. Marys, and attended the neighboring elementary school, by the same name. When I was choosing courses for high school, I distinctly remember my parents asking me, for the first time, if I had ever considered becoming a priest, which I never had.

In high school, as I got more involved with my Catholic faith, I had a personal encounter with Christ, which brought me to a deeper trust of God and His plan for me life. I felt a stirring that the priesthood may be part of His plan for me, so I attended a couple of ‘Come and See Weekends’ at St. Peter’s Seminary, London, ON. Instead of applying for seminary, I applied and served a year with NET Ministries of Canada. During this year, I became familiar with the Companions of the Cross and was given an open invite to visit from the Vocations Director, Fr. Allan Macdonald.

Following NET, I returned home and worked in the family business doing carpentry, entered into a relationship, and was involved with various apostolic ministries. Though I really enjoyed what I was doing, I could sense I was called to something different. Several months after ending a relationship, I, again, was invited by the Vocations Director to visit. At first I passed it off, but only a few days later I received a confirmation that I should at least visit. From that first visit the Lord has continued to confirm where He has called me and draw me deeper into His call. I applied, was accepted, and joined the community in 2016.