Six seminarians from the dioceses of Pittsburgh, Erie, Metuchen and Saint Vincent Archabbey were instituted into the ministry of acolyte on October 18, 2017 by Most Rev. James Checchio, Bishop of Metuchen at Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica. The acolyte is instituted to serve at the altar and to assist the priest and deacon.
DIOCESE OF ERIE
John A. Hepinger of Erie is the son of Virginia Smith of Erie and the late John Hepinger. He is a 2009 graduate of Villa Maria Academy in Erie. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Gannon University in Erie in 2016.
Joseph A. Petrone of Erie is the son of Joseph Petrone, Sr., and Cheryl Petrone of Erie. He is a 2009 graduate of Iroquois Senior High School, Erie. After graduation he attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, styding aerospace engineering, before transferring to Gannon University in Erie, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in biology and a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy.
DIOCESE OF METUCHEN
Gustavo Rodríguez-Perez is the son of Gustavo Rodríguez Holguin and Maria del Pérez Zuñiga of Cali, Colombia.
He graduated in 2003 from the Instituto Comercial Arquidiocesano, and earned a licentiate in philosophy in 2011 from Universidad Minuto de Dios, Bogota.
DIOCESE OF PITTSBURGH
Kristian O. Sherman is the son of of Eric A. and Christine M. Falchetti of Chandler, Arizona. He is a 2009 graduate of Butler High School and earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Duquesne University in 2014. Additionally, he completed two years of philosophy studies at Duquense.
Joseph S. Uzar, Jr., is the son of Joseph S. Uzar, Sr., and Diana L. Uzar of Carnegie. He is a 2012 graduate of Carlynton Junior-Senior High School, Carnegie, and earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, in 2016.
SAINT VINCENT ARCHABBEY
Brother Ignatius Camello, O.S.B., is the son of Reynaldo and Desideria Camello of Cotabato City, the Philippines. He earned a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Notre Dame University, Cotabato City, the Philippines, in 1992.