My greatest take-away from my last year in college and for the application process for seminary is trust. Biblical Role Model: St. Paul I grew up in a Protestant family, but following my graduation from the U.S. I was raised in Round Rock and my family has been parishioners at St. John Vianney since 2000. Favorite Music Genre: Classical/Movie Soundtracks Random Fact: There is power in prayer. His name is Hector. He is also an amateur organ player. MeinradSeminary(2nd Year, Theology), Rev. Please pray for me as well as my brother seminarians as we pursue this mission! Applying for seminary has in many ways awakened even more my desire to find God in serving His Church. This office is supported by the Diocese of St. Petersburg Catholic Ministry Appeal. Level of Formation: I Pre-Theology bringing forth from our families and parishes willing and worthy spiritual leaders. Seminary:Holy Trinity Seminary Random Fact: I am 19 minutes older than my twin sister Im not nave and I know we have our challenges, and the greatest challenge is to move forward in faith. I earned my bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida as a Communication Major. Hobbies/Interests: Running, reading, keeping up with current events, and exploring local coffee shops. Meditations on the rosary and daily Mass has a way of subtly drawing me towards God. If you can't attend, but would still like to make a gift and take advantage of the match opportunity, click here or mail a check to the Catholic Foundation for Diocese of Salina (PO Box 1696, Salina KS . Since I converted about two years ago, and first applied for seminary only 7 months after, I was asked to take a formal Propaedeutic year prior to leaving for College Seminary. This merited my sitting in the front pews of the choir stand, where I admired the beauty of the altar and sanctuary. What is a vocation to the priesthood? Birthday:October 20th It was also there that myself and three other friends started a bible study to find truth and fight sin. Assignment: St. Joseph Catholic Church I am thankful for all those that God has given me along the way and look forward to receiving the gifts that God has in store for me. The seminarians of our diocese are listed below. Location 1615 West Washington St. Springfield, IL 62702. In 2010, he relocated again with his family, this time to Clearwater, Florida. My life has been a series of moments organized by Divine Providence. Theres also that desire to belong somewhere, to fit in. Ladd SpearsBirthday: May 19th My spiritual director encouraged me to apply to the Diocese of Austin; I did and got accepted. The Diocese of Fort Worth was established in 1969 by Pope Paul VI and currently is home to an estimated 1,200,000 Catholics. Also, I was able to teach the Catechism to 5th graders for St. Josephs parish in downtown Houston. I am the youngest in a family of five. Kyle was born in Boston into a family of musicians and teachers. 153 Ash Street Ask for the walking route of Ferdinand & Isabella - the Catholic Kings who were in town back in 1484 and yes, you can visit some of the sights they took in! I have seven siblings, four brothers and three sisters of which I am the baby of the house. I grew more involved in my faith during high school through youth ministry and also by working part-time at my home parish. While in law school, I was actively involved in various pro-bono legal assistance clinics that provided assistance to the poor and marginalized. Biblical Role Model: Saint John the Beloved. These two years were important in my formation of living the Christian life. Please pray for me as I continue my formation in the parish on pastoral year, that God will give me the heart of a shepherd with which to love His people. Isaiah Minke I graduated high school and have an Auto-Body Certificate. Patron Saint: St. Thomas Aquinas (Confirmation)/Bl. Hobbies/Interests: Playing the piano/organ/guitar, backpacking and hiking, and learning new skills The Diocese of Manchester After eight months of studying the scriptures and church history, one by one, we had all been converted to the Catholic Faith. Everything I was doing, college, church, work, it was all oriented toward that goal: a family of my own. Many who volunteer as catechists and directors of parish programs are just that: volunteers. After the lock down I decided to get more involved with my parish and started to help in any way I could. The biggest take away of the past year was having learned more about Christs sufferings, natures, and knowledge through the teachings of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Meeting so many of the laity during my summer assignment in Summer 2019 showed me the great faith of the laity and increased my desire to grow in holiness to one day serve them as a priest. I had been attracted to the priesthood since high school, and had attended many of the discernment events sponsored by the Vocations Office. Ever since fourth grade, my family and I have made Mary Help of Christians our home parish. 1. Random Fact: I once wrote a computer program to generate over 15,000 March Madness (college basketball) brackets. I have also begun to develop a devotion to John the Baptist when I realized over a silent retreat that many events during my discernment have pointed me to this great Saint. Through my study of theology, I met friends who wanted to pursue truth and goodness with me. Not only did I find a perfect outlet for my passions, skills, and desires, but I also became aware of the types of sacrifices that diocesan ministry demands. Biblical Role Model: Joseph the Dreamer He asks for prayers and gives thanks for the support given by the people throughout the archdiocese. My membership as a growing child in the parish choir, altar servers, catholic youth organization, legion of Mary and Divine Mercy prayer group attracted many young parishioners to join the groups as well. The first year of college was difficult for me I was lonely after moving away from all of my family and friends. God calls you to make definitive choices, and He has a plan for each of you: to discover that plan and to respond to your vocation is to move toward personal fulfilment. Another year in Rome gave great opportunities to get to know the universal Church, through studying with classmates from all over the world, getting to know the saints buried in Rome, and being able to pray for the intentions and mission of the Holy Father in a deeper way. There are a variety of ways to help support our seminarians! Home Parish:St. Thomas Aquinas, College Station In his free time, if he is not singinghe is playing soccer. In my discernment, the realization that I am asked to serve the very people that have helped me get into seminary has been nothing short of humbling. Jonathan C. Wallis Favorite Food: Anything with shrimp Level of Formation: II Pre-Theology Biblical Role Model: Tobit At the beginning of it, I was just starting my first year at A&M as an engineering student, and my biggest concerns were trying to make a home and trying to excel in classes. Email info@dio.org. Please keep me in prayer that I may be diligent in my studies, faithful to God and his people, and abide in the Lords joy this year. My plan for this coming school year is to continue to push myself in my formation and to continue to listen to the Holy Spirit who works through the community at HTS. My patron saint is St. Augustine because of his overnight conversion in the garden, fueled by the prayers of his mother, St. Monica. Random Fact: When I was 4 years old, my family lived in Saudi Arabia for 1 year. I first felt God call me while altar serving at my home parish during my junior year of high school. Favorite Food: Hamburger I grew up in a Protestant family, but following my graduation from the U.S. I strongly believe that the grace I received, the knowledge I acquired and the growth I attained, wouldnt be sufficient if not for your fervent prayers, consistent support and encouragement. Random Fact: I love ballroom dance and did it for five years before seminary. Level of Formation: IV College. Patron Saint: St. Francis of Assisi I am also grateful for the graces I have received from the Lord , and the opportunities for growth and deepening friendship with Christ that lie ahead of me. They were very supportive of my educational process and my decision to be a Catholic priest. Biblical Role Model: St. Thomas the Apostle I hope to learn more about day-to-day life in the parish, get to know the lives of the parishioners and their stories, and be open to the ways in which the Lord wants to challenge me and form me this year, bringing me closer to Him. I am grateful for the friends I have made so far, and the home I was able to come back to here in Rome after my summer assignment. This year at the UCC is meant to provide a real and immersive experience of pastoral ministry, providing an environment where I can grow in all aspects of my priestly formation before continuing my theological studies at a seminary. Looking for a chance to see our seminarians play basketball against youth from around the diocese? I was able to pray with and for our kids and watch them grow up in the faith. During my final pilgrimage of the summer, Padre Javier Merino (another priest), asked me to give a testimony to the young adult group we were traveling with through the Picos de Europa mountains on our way to the shrine of Covadonga. There will be 21 seminarians in total at OLP beginning this fall. He converted to Catholicism in 2016, and served as a Sacristan, Lector, and Extraordinary Minister at St. Mary Star of the Sea in Port Townsend and later as an altar server at Our Lady Star of the Sea in Bremerton. He credits adoration, the Holy Family and the loving support of his spiritual family at St. Stephen the Martyr as being crucial to his discernment. It was the kind of challenge that inspires you to do better and to strive toward achieving a good goal. My desire for priesthood soared high while working and living among priests and seminarians in the seminary. This past year of formation was focused on the theme of forming a greater priestly identity. I grew up in a small town in New Jersey. Favorite Food: Golden Kiwi In high school, I denied this possible calling until senior year, when a talk by Fr Greg made me come face to face with it. Level of Formation: I College, Patron Saint: Sts. Thank you for all of your prayers, and please know that you are in mine! After reading the Bread of Life Discourse in John, chapter 6, several times, in several different translations, I was left speechless. Favorite Movie: Schindlers List When the priest elevated the host after the consecration, I knew what it might mean for me to carry Christ. Hello, my name is John Paul Grabowski, and I was born in Binghamton, NY. I will be starting my Pastoral Year at St. Elizabeth of Hungary this Fall and could not be more excited to be back in the Diocese after being abroad these past 2 years! I was born and raised in Seattle, WA, where I was baptized into the Episcopal Church but raised in an Evangelical home. Hobbies/Interests: Reading, Running, Weightlifting, Soccer, Coffee, Photography After high school, I moved down to Florida from PA to study Aerospace Engineering for two years. In middle school and high school I was involved in youth group at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Bryan, attending retreats and nights of worship and adoration, and eventually helping to lead the retreats for younger students as a junior and senior. For those reading, I thank you for your prayers and thoughts. A group of priests and seminarians from the Diocese of Wichita got closer to God last month. Patron Saint: St. Michael the Archangel I was able to pray with and for our kids and watch them grow up in the faith. After much pestering via email of the new pastor, Fr. While the possibility was present, I did not think that I would be seriously considering the seminary this year, let alone entering it. I continued for my postgraduate degree in computer science at Boston University. Check it out! Meet Our Seminarians. We were unsatisfied with the theology of our protestant church and wanted something more substantial. Let us continue to pray for the renewal of marriage and family life as well as for vocations to the priesthood and life as a consecrated religious. Administrative Assistant for Vocations Faith was something that was lived in our house, most notably through the example of my parents. (Matthew 20:28). Seminary:Holy Trinity Seminary Born in a small town in southeast Texas, I am the youngest of three boys. In high school you could find me in one of four places: on the marching field practicing my saxophone, at youth group/church youth group, working on my classwork, or sleeping at home. After an amazing first year, this year I am in my second year of Pre-Theology studies at St. Joseph Seminary in St. Benedict, Louisiana. After getting heavily involved in ministries at St. Marys Catholic Center, I started to attend spiritual direction and discernment events at St. Marys. Seminary:Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans Favorite Movie: Schindlers List Our Lord made clear to me that He had other plans, and He began to call me into His Church. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, being at the beach, the pool, or on the golf course. God willing, Max wants to be a priest close to the people, strengthening parish communities and empowering the leadership of laity. Then, by a spirit of opennessi.e., not being an obstacle to what the Catholic school is trying to accomplishforming our students as intentional disciples of Jesus in our Catholic faith. Level of Formation: II College, Patron Saint: St. Joseph I am sure my own faith will be strengthened as I see their zeal, their commitment, and their desire to serve the Lord. from age to age, you nurture growth in your people, My greatest take-away from my last year in college and for the application process for seminary is trust. Thank you for making my discernment, formation and vocation story a joyful and grace filled one as I earnestly look forward to another fruitful year of formation. Thank you for your prayers! I am sixth in line of eight children, four sisters and three brothers. The witness of many young priests I came in contact with during high school and my two years as a missionary helped me to realize this desire to pursue the selfless life of the priesthood, to serve God and His Church! From playing the mass as a child, to always wanting to serve at the altar. While in the seminary, I read a few theology books and vocation stories of missionary priests from different parts of the world. As a devout Catholic, I strive every day to carry my faith into the practice of law. Priesthood Hobbies/Interests: Iconography, patristics, hiking, and drinking coffee I told them, Some of you have asked if it is difficult to be far from my family, and it is. Please pray for the grace of peace and courage as it approaches. It then occurred to me how excited I really was by the idea of the priesthood. Home Parish:St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, Dripping Springs Three guiding values for us as disciples: prayer, generous service, and zeal. He felt a call to enter the Catholic Church in 2011 but dismissed the idea out of hand. Biblical Role Model: St. Joseph The first year of college was difficult for me I was lonely after moving away from all of my family and friends. I have finished the majority of my required courses, and most of the classes I am taking this semester are directly related to my major. This year, that gift came in the form of giving myself to finishing my philosophy studies, ministry as a hospital chaplain, and to my brother seminarians. John's Seminary(2nd Year, Pre-Theology), Mr. Guillaume TemkkitSt. Hobbies/Interests: Soccer/Volleyball I received the sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion, and Confirmation at St Patricks Catholic Church, my home parish in Nigeria. Worship/Sacraments Matthew Jewell This merited my sitting in the front pews of the choir stand, where I admired the beauty of the altar and sanctuary. Random Fact: During my time at Texas A&M, I became and EMT. This year I will be entering as a college freshman and I hope to grow closer in my friendship with Christ and in self knowledge. But that all changed in college when I had a profound reversion experience in 2011 while on a mission trip down to El Salvador. At the seminary they grow in relationship to our Lord by praying, going to daily Mass and confession, and learning about theology and philosophy. Rev. God bless. And with that challenge, came a real growth in learning how to make a real gift of myself to something or someone else. Diocesan Priesthood - The Roman Catholic Diocese of Helena Biblical Role Model: St. Simeon the God-Receiver This summer I will be at Creighton university in Omaha Nebraska for the Institute for Priestly formation and following that I will be doing my Theology studies at St. Marys in Houston in the Fall. Home - Discerning Deacons Random Fact: Im a licensed HAM Radio operator. and bestow on them the grace to not only be life giving Our Lord made clear to me that He had other plans, and He began to call me into His Church. Are you looking for an easy way to stay informed of public issues of concern to Catholics in New Hampshire? Facing mental health challenges and finding myself at a crossroads in my career, I undertook some serious prayer and reflection on what greatness Christ intended for my life. I was raised in Round Rock and my family has been parishioners at St. John Vianney since 2000. The path to the priesthood will be a bit longer for the other St. Meinrad seminarians. Home Parish:St. Mary Catholic Center, College Station It is Jesus in fact that you seek when you dream of happiness. John Ungarino software.output_email_link('PG4gdWVycz0iem52eWdiOnFqZkBzanF2YnAuYmV0P2Zob3dycGc9SnJvZnZnciUyMFZmZmhyIj5Sem52eSBKcm96bmZncmU8L24+')You may enable JavaScript to see this email address. There I studied business, civil engineering and started to consistently attend church again. Seminary: University Catholic Center Seminary:Holy Trinity Seminary Through my prayer I desired peace which I asked the Lord to grant me. As a devout Catholic, I strive every day to carry my faith into the practice of law. Patron Saint: Saint Ignatius of Antioch Discovering my weaknesses has been challenging, but also rewarding. From there, God has led me on an adventure to show my heart to myself. May 9, 2023. I grew up hating everything to do with Christianity. There are many lost sheep in this world, and I hope God will use me as an instrument of light to bring his mercy, healing and love to those in need. I knew that God was offering me something better, but I was scared to give Him control and let Him change anything in my life. I consider the people of the Santo Cristo de la Misericordia parish to be my family. I hope to continue to grow in my yes to Gods plan for my life by saying yes to Him in the ordinary daily tasks of my life. The next year I will enter seminary as a College-II Seminarian and study philosophy and literature at the University of Dallas and receive formation while living at Holy Trinity Seminary. This fall, I will return to Holy Trinity Seminary in Dallas as a second year Pre-Theologian. They come from large families and small ones, some right out of high school and others after starting a career. Favorite Music Genre: Folk I believe that the seminary will foster and encourage self-discipline, self-respect, respect for others, and growth in learning. Hobbies/Interests: Soccer/Volleyball Kingsley OhaeriBirthday: March 16th I was homeschooled through high school, using a combination of textbooks and online classes. I graduated from high school with a full ride to college and started a business making quite a bit of money. I also strongly believe that the Diocese of Austin will lead me to an encounter with the living God and an opportunity to share in the priesthood of Jesus Christ, as well as a deeper engagement in the service of God and humanity. Hello my name is Porfirio and Im thirty two years old. Having now finished my second year of theology at St. Marys Seminary in Houston, Ive been enjoying getting into more of the deeper theology of the Church. Birthday:October 20th Luke Hubacek We have eleven men in priestly formation. My vocation was most inspired by Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen. Over the years Divine Providence has been a constant part of his life and continues to shape his vocation journey. Be not afraid. One of the responsibilities that was very formative for me was teaching weekly confirmation classes for a group of teenagers in Spanish. Hobbies/Interests: Brewing coffee, jigsaw and crossword puzzles, audiobooks and podcasts My name is Luke Hubacek and I was born and raised in Bryan, Texas. I am excited to meet my brother seminarians and begin the intricate process of cultivating healthy friendships so we can build each other up to sanctity. At the end of high school, I decided to study engineering at Texas A&M because of the strong Catholic community and the great academics. Cameron Kologinczak Favorite Food: Pizza San Antonio Seminarians - Archdiocese of San Antonio Favorite Movie: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy We ask this through Christ the Lord. This is the highest number of incoming seminarians in the Diocese of Providence in almost 40 years. This year has been a blessing because I have come to know Christ on a deeper level, which has made my time at the seminary more significant. I was born in Laguna beach California to a loving and Catholic family and lived in Orange County for two years until my parents decided to move to Texas. Michael Torregosa It was very formative to learn more about mass, train altar servers and sacristans, and sit in and give input into parish staff meetings. I graduated from Countryside High School in 2015. Growing up, I was lukewarm in my faith, the real attraction to the priesthood came after I graduated high school when I started taking my faith more seriously. The thought of priesthood first came up in late high school, but I wanted to pursue my dream of becoming a doctor, and went to The University of Texas at Austin. Seminarian Dinners - Register now! - Catholic Diocese of Salina Hobbies/Interests: Calligraphy, Leatherworking, Creative Writing Make a Donation. Ryan BothBirthday: August 30 These crosses, in a strange way, drew me all the closer to falling in love with parish ministry, ultimately leading to my decision to apply for seminary. Our diocese has nine new priests and two new deacons! Please pray for my formation and that the Lord would continue to bless me with His peace. Home Parish:Holy Martyrs of Vietnam, St. Petersburg. The seminary is the place where a man is formed mind, body, and soul into the image of Jesus Christ. Favorite Movie: Baby Driver This study has given me great clarity in seeing the world and the many problems of modern society. I still had a lot of interior conflict between what I wanted to do, engineering, and what I felt God was wanting me to do. Applying as a candidate for seminary - Diocese of Knoxville I hope that in seeking out Gods plan for me, I will experience growth both spiritually and intellectually. Home Parish:St. Anthony, Bryan A man who goes to work everyday to earn an honest living to provide for his wife and children can see that he is a providing husband and father. In middle school and high school I was involved in youth group at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Bryan, attending retreats and nights of worship and adoration, and eventually helping to lead the retreats for younger students as a junior and senior. Max was born and raised in Chile. 703-841-2514, Email: My name is Brian McNaughton and Im in my first year of seminary. Hobbies/Interests: Reading, Philosophy, Chess Random Fact: I met the Dalai Lama while working at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, DC. I constantly tell all of our teachers, principals, catechetical directors, and youth ministers that they share in my work in forming people in the faith. Consider a Donation for Seminarian Education Gerald Thornton Theology 2St. I became friends with everybody from the valedictorian to the weightlifters, band nerds, and debaters. Hobbies/Interests: Reading, Ultimate Frisbee, Discgolf, Basketball, Woodworking, Board Games, Working Out I am the oldest of four siblings, two brothers and a sister. Favorite Movie: I rotate frequently, but the one I keep coming back to is Clear and Present Danger Seminary:Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans In my youth I went to Sunday school and was baptized in the Baptist Church. I made my first communion on May the 4th 1997 (yes, it was an appropriate day to say May the 4th be with you!) In middle school and high school I put my faith on the backburner in many ways. Through the ups and downs and life, the Lord has placed me in the locations and moments that, in His love for me, has drawn me close to Himself, and to the point where I am now, in seminary formation and continuing to discern the call to priesthood. I look forward to the coming year at Holy Trinity, especially as I begin to learn Spanish and continue my study of theology! Users must create a verified account. In general, we played, labored, sheared ideas, and most importantly prayed together as one family. And whenever I am with other Catholics, I am with my family. This year, I pray that God will continue to show me how to love with greater depths, at all times and in all places. Despite this, for most of my early life I would only go through the motions and was Catholic out of obedience to my parents. This year I had the privilege of studying the development of philosophy from Plato to Pope St. John Paul II. I joined a group calledSaint Pauls Outreach and lived in a household with other Catholic men for three years. After much prayer, I joyfully decided to pursue formation and continue my discernment in the seminary. My parents, Evodia and Modesto both live in Pflugerville and they lived there for 6 years. Patron Saint: St. Francis of Assisi This coming year, I will begin my first year of priestly formation at Holy Trinity Seminary. Diocese expands seminary with new formation house The call was present even when I denied it. Seminary:Holy Trinity Seminary Hobbies/Interests: Disc golfing, dancing with friends, playing chess Contact the Vocation Director. Director of Theologian Seminarian Formation Please pray for these men as they continue on their path of formation and discernment. I worked as a cook at a local Tijuana Flats, I worked there for three years and left to go in to seminary. I quickly became involved at St. Peter Catholic Student Center, which provided me with not only a beautiful liturgical life, but also my closest friends and a rich formation. As part of that program, I worked at a shelter in the heart of downtown Houston and encountered Christ in what St. Teresa of Calcutta once described as the most distressing disguise of the poor.

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