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September 8, 2008

Call to ministry changed former attorney's life

By Adam Wise
Daily Tribune Staff

After spending years of his life running a law firm, it took all of about 10 seconds to completely alter Jim Altman's path in the world.

Altman, 49, is the new chaplain of Assumption Middle and High School, a position contrary to where he was about eight years ago.

In 2000, Altman, who had been a lawyer for the previous 11 years, was urged by friends to attend a massive ordination of priests at a church in Marquette, Mich.

"I was sitting in the back occupied pew of church, minding my own business, and there came a point of ordination when the bishop will lay his hand upon those being ordained," Altman said. "All of a sudden it was like a great weight coming upon me, like sweaty hot, and I heard a voice of incredible overwhelming love."

A 40-year-old bachelor who still had dreams of becoming married and having a house full of children, Altman was about to give up everything he had worked so hard for.

"I knew in that 10 seconds, life as an attorney was coming to an end and I would enter seminary," he said.

His decision, though, was not welcomed with full acceptance by those close to him.

"Everyone says you gave up so much, and my response was, 'I got so much more; 1,000 times as much,'" he said.

Now, after finishing his 15th year as a student spread among college, law school, and seminary school, Altman finally became the teacher.

As chaplain, Altman serves as the spiritual director and counselor to students and staff at the schools, and also leads the morality and marriage class at Assumption.

"I've been really surprised of the quality of student at Assumption," Altman said. "Incredibly respectful."

Altman replaces the Rev. Tim Welles who will become pastor at St. Lawrence, 550 10th Ave. N., in October.

Carol Olson, president of the Wisconsin Rapids Area Catholic Schools System, is surprised how popular Altman has become in just his first week with the students.

"I see him as an energetic person, enthusiastic, welcome; a very warm presence and a good listener," Olson said. "In your spiritual development as you go through life, God moves you and you feel this calling, and I think we're very fortunate to have him."

Altman joined Assumption's band last week, playing trumpet for the first time since his high school days and even performing for the pep band during a volleyball match.

"They are just happy to have me participate with them," Altman said of the other band students. "It's humbling because you have these freshman kids way ahead of you, (but) it doesn't bother me that they can smoke me."

TOM LOUCKS/DAILY TRIBUNE

Assumption Middle and High School Chaplain Jim Altman plays trumpet Friday morning with the high school band. This is Altman’s first year as the chaplain.