Meet a Seminarian
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Class of 2013:
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Nicholas Becker, Archdiocese of St. Louis "My name is Nicholas Becker. I am from St. Joseph’s parish in Cottleville and am a freshman in the college. I am the oldest of seven children, four brothers and two sisters. I have been homeschooled all of my life. I like reading books, playing chess, and I am on the soccer team. Right now my two favorite classes are Latin and Understanding the Weather. My mother got me involved in my parish’s youth group, which has been a big part in helping me discern my vocation. As I embark upon my journey of discernment, it is comforting to know that I have so many people supporting and praying for me."
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Richard Cox, Archdiocese of St. Louis "My name is Richard Cox, and I am a parishioner at Ascension Parish in Chesterfield. I am the oldest of seven children. I graduated from Gateway Academy in 2006. While a student at Gateway, I volunteered a lot of my time as a leader of a youth group, and after I graduated I volunteered a year of my life where I continued my work as a leader of a youth group in Michigan with the Legionaries of Christ. Last year I was in the seminary with the Legionaries of Christ but have discerned that God may be calling me to be a diocesan priest instead. My hobbies include computer programming, web design, photography, and magic tricks."
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Andrew Faron, Archdiocese of St. Louis "My name is Andy Faron, and I am from St. Ann, Missouri. My home parish is All Souls in Overland, and I am a freshman at Cardinal Glennon College. I graduated from DeSmet in 2009. As a freshman into the college, adapting to the schedule and focusing upon my discernment are going to be my central focus."
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Michael Holmquist, Diocese of Colorado Springs "My name is Michael Holmquist, and I am a seminarian from the Diocese of Colorado Springs studying at Cardinal Glennon College. I'm a Colorado native and a recent convert to the faith. Back in Colorado Springs, I was active in RCIA at my home parish of St. Gabriel the Archangel. This first year of seminary has been an exciting new experience and I'm looking forward to growing throughout the year."
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Joseph Miloscia, Archdiocese of St. Louis "Hello, I am Joseph Miloscia, and I am currently in my first year as a seminarian and loving every minute of it. I am from St. Joseph in Imperial, and I graduated from Windsor High School in Imperial last spring. I entered the seminary, because I believe the seminary is an ideal place to go to find out what God is calling each of us to do with our lives. It is about staying focused on your vocation and seeing college life in different perspective. Another reason I know God has called me here is that the life of a Catholic priest has always been appealing to me. I know that God has called me here for discernment, however, God has not yet totally revealed to me if it is my calling. This is why I pray everyday on my discernment. I also leave this to all the young men who are considering the call: 'Do not be afraid!' -Pope John Paul II"
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Daniel Prize, Archdiocese of St. Louis "I, Daniel Jerome Prize, am a freshman in Cardinal Glennon College this year studying for the archdiocese of St. Louis to hopefully be ordained a priest in 2017! I have been a life-long parishioner at St. Barnabas the Apostle Parish in O’Fallon, Missouri. Like a few of my brother seminarians, I was homeschooled through grade school and high school. I am the eldest of eleven brothers and sisters, and growing up with a large family is a great blessing to me. My hobbies include film making, drawing, painting, playing sports, carpentry, and music. I have come to the seminary to discern what vocation God has planned for my life, whether to the priesthood or not. I extend a thank you to all those whose prayers and support have brought me this far."
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Class of 2012:
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Michael Quinlan, Archdiocese of St. Louis "My name is Michael Quinlan, and I am a sophomore in the College program. I began my seminary formation as a sophomore last fall, but was forced to withdraw for the spring semester due to illness. So, now I have the pleasure of being a sophomore…again. I am very thankful to be back at the seminary and look forward to many fruitful years of formation. I am the second oldest of seven children, and my home parish is St. Clement of Rome in Des Peres. I graduated from St. Louis University High School in 2007 and attended St. Louis University for a year before entering the College program. I ask for your prayers for my discernment and for all seminarians and priests, that we may overcome the seemingly endless number of obstacles to living our vocation, including attacks from the devil who does everything in his power to make this process difficult. Please pray for us."
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Christopher Tipp, Archdiocese of St. Louis "Born to my mom, Connie and my pop, Robert, I was raised in Florissant. I have three older sisters Janice, Jessica and Robin. I went to grade school at my home parish, Sacred Heart in Florissant, high school at DeSmet Jesuit, then spent two years at Lindenwood University before landing at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary. I find great joy in cycling, running, guitar playing, singing, silence, Ginko trees and so much more. Thoughts of the Priesthood have stirred my heart for a long time, I am thankful to have the opportunity to explore them." |
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Class of 2011:
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Peter Fonseca, Archdiocese of St. Louis "I am from St. Anselm Parish in Creve Coeur, Missouri. I moved to St. Louis in the middle of fourth grade after having lived in Ohio, Wisconsin, and Maryland. I attended Gateway Academy in Chesterfield from 4th through 6th grade. In 7th grade I transferred to St. Louis Priory School from where I graduated in 2007. In my 2nd year at the seminary I look forward to continuing the good work begun in me." |
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Joseph Kelly, Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau "My name is Joseph Kelly, and I am happy to be here for another year at Cardinal Glennon College. I am from Springfield, Missouri and studying for the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. I have felt the call to the priesthood since a young age, so I am here to continue in that discernment as to what God might be calling me to in serving Him and His Church. I come from a good Catholic family, with an older sister, two older brothers, and a younger brother. My oldest brother, John, is in seminary formation at Conception Abbey Seminary College in Conception, Missouri.
The future for our Church is bright and I am blessed to be apart of it. Devotion to the Holy Eucharist and to Our Blessed Lady have helped me tremendously in my discernment. Many of the saints' lives have influenced me in their willingness to sacrifice everything for the Lord. This gives me much encouragement and strength. Also, I am constantly reminded of our Lord's infinite Mercy, flowing from His Most Sacred Heart into our hearts. His loving Heart calls me to be here, under the guidance of Mary. The seminary is the only place where I can honestly and seriously discern God's call to the priesthood. It's a wonderful place to be.
I am a member of the Kenrick-Glennon Lions soccer team and I am the "Gaudmaster" for the college this year."
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David Miloscia, Archdiocese of St. Louis "I was born in California but grew up in Barnhart, MO, and am a member of St. Joseph Parish in Imperial. I am the third oldest of twelve children. I graduated from Windsor C-1 Highschool in 2004, and then attended ITT Technical Institute and obtained an Associate's degree in Computer and Electrical Engineering Technology. I went on to work two jobs in the field of electronics engineering. I felt the call to attend the seminary in February of 2007 and applied the following April. I was accepted in June into the Glennon freshman class. I looked forward to discerning if I have a call to the holy Catholic Priesthood and ultimately discovering God's will for my life." |
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Zachary Povis, Archdiocese of St. Louis "I have lived in the St. Louis area all my life. Three years ago, my family moved to our current residence in Hazelwood. After having received all nine years of my elementary education through what was once St. Blaise parish in Maryland Heights, I spent the next four years of my life as a Spartan of DeSmet Jesuit High School. There I was actively involved in theater, the school newspaper, the retreat program and various leadership training organizations. I had an incredible high school experience and would not be the person I am today if it were not for my Jesuit education. I began to strongly consider a vocation to the priesthood in the summer before my junior year and did not decide to follow through with it until halfway through my senior year. Vocational programs such as Kenrick-Glennon Days proved invaluable in my discernment and exposed me to what life was really like at the seminary. I still try to remain actively involved in the newly dedicated Holy Spirit Parish. I enjoy reading classical literature, studying film, and indulging in one of God's greatest gifts to man: eating out. I look forward to my second year at Cardinal Glennon College and greatly anticipate what God has planned for my life." |
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Class of 2010:
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Andrew Burkemper, Archdiocese of St. Louis "I am from St. Joseph Parish in Manchester where my family has attended for seventeen years. The Burkemper clan consists of my father, Vince, my mother, Marianne, two younger sisters, Maddie and Claire, and me. I attended grade school at St. Joseph for nine years, and then went to high school at St. Louis University High, which was outstanding. I played racquetball, was involved in community service including two mission trips to Mexico, honed my sideshow skills in the Circus Club, a group that juggles and performs, and wrote for the school newspaper. I was a late addition to Cardinal Glennon College my first year. Until mid-June I was planning to attend Creighton University in Omaha, but that was not God's plan for me. After several months of ignoring my heart, I finally listened and applied for the seminary beginning in late June, and I am extremely glad that I did. The past two years have been more wonderful than I could have imagined. I look forward to the upcoming school year and, God willing, several more after that. I could not ask for a better place of discernment (there isn't one) or for a better group of guys with whom to grow, nor for a more supportive family, group of friends, parish, and Archdiocese. Each of them makes me want to succeed in discerning God's call for me." |
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Nathaniel Doerr, Archdiocese of St. Louis "I am from St. Ferdinand parish in Florissant and graduated from Hazelwood West High School, where I played soccer and was a member of the National Honor Society. I felt called to look into the seminary when I was younger, at times contemplating the idea and fighting it at others. I was wrapped up in worldly things and went through some difficult struggles, through which I grew closer to the Lord by developing a great love for the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Now, I'm in the seminary for my third year and going forward with confidence in God's infinite Mercy, which accompanies us every moment of our lives and triumphs over the whole world." |
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Patrick Fletcher, Archdiocese of St. Louis "After being home schooled through High School and spending one year at a secular University, I decided that it was time to find a path that would help me discover God's will for my life. The decision to study here at Glennon wasn't the easiest to make. Sometimes, taking oneself out the world, yet still being a part of it makes for a difficult transition. However, through God's grace, I am adjusting to and enjoying my time here very much. I'm truly coming to know who I am, but I'm also learning who I want to become. I know that in the years to follow, if I remain true to both God, others, and myself, then I will be able to recognize God's will and live it out to the best of my ability." |
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Charles Harris, Archdiocese of St. Louis "I am a member of St. Clare of Assisi Parish in Ellisville, along with my mom, dad, three younger brothers, and my younger sister. I graduated in 2006 from Chaminade College Preparatory School, where I was involved in swimming, acting programs, the newspaper, and the Campus Ministry. I was blessed to have attended World Youth Day in 2005 at Cologne, Germany along with many other teens from St. Louis. Through youth ministry and the summer program, Kenrick-Glennon Days, I was exposed to the priestly life and have now begun my fourth year in the seminary. In the years to come, I will develop, God willing, to be ordained as a priest for the Archdiocese of St. Louis." |
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Anthony Saiki, Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas "I am a seminarian from the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, and I am a member of St. Paul's parish in Olathe, Kansas. I am the oldest of ten children, and I was home schooled from first grade through high school, from which I graduated in 2006. I attended a community college for a year before entering seminary. I have been discerning a call to the priesthood since I received my First Communion. I have been very active in my archdiocese, particularly in Pro-life and Hispanic ministries. This year is my fourth in college but only my third at Cardinal Glennon. I am so blest to be able to study in the newly accredited philosophy program here. This year I am also privileged to serve as the Liturgical Master of Ceremonies for the college seminary community.
The greatest influences on my discernment of the Holy Priesthood have been my parents, and also my Archbishop, the Most Rev. Joseph F. Naumann, along with many priests that have been and continue to be part of my life. I look forward to this year in which I hope to grow closer to my brother seminarians and to mature as a man of God on my journey towards Jesus Christ and His Blessed Mother, especially under her title of ‘Our Lady of Guadalupe.'" |
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Conor Sullivan, Archdiocese of St. Louis "I grew up in Labadie, MO surrounded by a loving, Catholic family. I attribute much of who I am today to my mother and my late father, as well as my five siblings. I am a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Washington, and I went to OLL gradeschool and St. Francis Borgia High School. My high school education has really helped me in my seminary formation and I am forever grateful to my old teachers at Borgia. I hope to stay active in vocations work, because that has really become my passion. I was able to start a vocations group at Borgia called DOP, and I hope to remain actively supportive of them in the future. This is my third year as a seminarian, and it is also my junior year in the college. It is difficult to put into words how much my experience in the seminary, thus far, has really come to define who I am and how I grow. The seminary has been an excellent place to grow in holiness, prayer, study, and overall as a man of God. I look forward to what this year holds for me knowing that it will be good; perhaps not easy all the time, but definitely good. I dedicate all of my experiences of this year to our Blessed Mother and her husband, the foster-father of Jesus, St. Joseph." |
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Thomas Vordtriede, Archdiocese of St. Louis "I am a seminarian from St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Parish in South County. I graduated from St. Louis University High in May, 2006, where I ran sprints in Track and Field and was active in the Pro-Life Club and Campus Ministry, among other activities. Toward the end of my junior year, I went on a "Come and See" weekend retreat, where I came to understand better the daily routine of a seminarian. The excitement I had that weekend simply felt right--the other colleges I visited just were not what I was looking for. As I continue into my fourth year of seminary formation, I look forward to deepening my prayer and focusing on what God truly has in store for me as I respond to His call. At the seminary, I have been learning how to live a more well-rounded life. In addition to daily Mass and quiet prayer, I also love to play sports such as indoor soccer, tennis, and baseball. Playing laser tag is one of my favorite things to do with my brothers, and I am always interested in going to Cardinals games. Living at Kenrick-Glennon has been a blessing, and I would encourage all young men to talk to one of us about it if you are considering this vocation." |
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Ryan Weber, Archdiocese of St. Louis "I am from Imperial, a small town in Jefferson County, and am a parishioner of Immaculate Conception in Arnold. I graduated from Windsor High in 2006 where I was active in choir, school musicals, the French club, and was in the marching band for five years. I first started thinking about the priesthood when I was very young, and seriously started considering it in the early part of high school. I went on Kenrick-Glennon Days, Come and See weekends, and the Archbishop's Retreat here at the seminary. These, along with my involvement in my parish Life Teen program, served as a great assistance in my discernment. I am very happy to be at the seminary and I thank God every day for letting me be here. I am looking forward to many great years here as I grow with my brother seminarians and discern God's will in my life." |
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