Midwest Theological Forum (MTF) was pleased to welcome our first summer 2025 intern, Daniel Keefe! Our team is very grateful for his contributions and for his youthful and faithful spirit around the office. As he completes his time with us, we asked Daniel to share a brief reflection on his experience at MTF learning about the world of Catholic publishing and media today.
My name is Daniel Keefe; I am a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Chicago entering into my fourth year of Philosophy. I have had a wonderful opportunity to work as an intern at Midwest Theological Forum in the summer of 2025.
It has been a great experience working in the world alongside good and faithful Catholics. Not only did I see members of the team living their faith at work, but also many of them at daily Mass at a parish down the road before work. This time has offered me the opportunity to not only see the faith lived out well among the laity but also office skills. Having entered seminary right out of high-school, I have not had experience in an office environment, and this offered me the perfect experience. I learned how to manage large projects involving many people and many files. In this I have learned about the importance of communication and organization.
Not only did I learn these general skills, but I also was able to engage in finer publishing skills such as professional typesetting and typography. I have noticed within Catholic publishing that since the faith remains constant now, always and forever, that there really is no difference in what is printed but in how it is printed. It is important not only to print Catholic books but to offer books that will actually be used, made from high-quality, long-lasting materials. But more important than the quality is the faith of the individuals behind the scenes working on books for the salvation of souls. One can labor for a high-quality book, but one labors in vain without putting the love of God first. As Psalm 127 says, "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain." This is why it is of the utmost importance for the publisher not only to be a publisher, but first and foremost to seek salvation.
Overall, I have had a great experience working as an intern at MTF.
Top Image: Daniel Keefe at the MTF Office
