Eight diocesan seminarians and one monk were instituted to the Ministry of Acolyte on Wednesday, October 14 at Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica by Most Rev. David A. Zubik, D.D., Bishop of Pittsburgh. They are from the dioceses of Altoona-Johnstown, Brooklyn, Covington, Erie, Greensburg and Pittsburgh. Pictured are front, from left, Cory Pius, Diocese of Erie; Michael Elmlinger, Diocese of Covington; Justin Treon, Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown; Randy Nguyen, Diocese of Brooklyn. Back, from left are Brother Celestine, O.S.B., Saint Vincent Archabbey; Nicholas Clinton, Diocese of Pittsburgh; John Ferguson, Diocese of Pittsburgh; Bishop Zubik; Brendon Harfmann, Diocese of Brooklyn; and Andrew Hamilton, Diocese of Greensburg.
ALTOONA-JOHNSTOWN
Justin P. Treon of Cresson is entering the pre-theology program. He is a 2013 graduate of Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, Ebensburg, and earned a bachelor of arts degree in English from Mount Aloysius College, Cresson, in 2017. He is the son of Raymond and Mary Ann Treon of Cresson.
BROOKLYN
Brendon J. Harfmann of Glendale, New York, is the son of Lawrence and Kim Harfmann of Glendale. He is a 2012 graduate of Cathedral Preparatory Seminary, Elmhurst, New York. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy/theology from Saint John’s University, Jamaica, New York, in 2016, and has also studied at Saint Joseph’s Seminary.
Randy T. Nguyen of the Diocese of Brooklyn is the son of Chung Nguyen and Chau Bui of Woodside, New York. He graduated in 2011 from the High School for Environmental Studies, New York, New York, then earned a bachelor of arts degree from Hunter College, New York, in 2016. He also graduated from Cathedral Seminary House of Formation, Little Neck, New York in 2019.
COVINGTON
Michael K. Elmlinger of the Diocese of Covington is the son of Steven A. and Polly Ann Elmlinger of Union, Kentucky. He graduated in 2016 from Covington Latin School, and earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from the Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus, in 2019.
ERIE
Cory L. Pius of the Diocese of Erie is the son of Daniel and Lori Pius of Harborcreek, Pennsylvania. He is a 2013 graduate of Harborcreek Senior High School. He earned a bachelor of science degree in management in 2017 and a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Gannon University, Erie, in 2019.
GREENSBURG
Andrew J. Hamilton of the Diocese of Greensburg is the son of William and Donna Hamilton of Ford City. He is a 2015 graduate of Ford City Junior-Senior High School. He studied at Saint Vincent College, then earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Gannon University, Erie, in 2019.
PITTSBURGH
Nicholas R. Clinton of Allison Park is the son of Joel and Lorraine Clinton of Allison Park. He is a 2013 graduate of Hampton High School, Allison Park. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Grove City College, Grove City, in 2017 and has also studied theology at the Catholic University of America.
John F. Ferguson of the Diocese of Pittsburgh is the son of J. Raymond and Kimberly Ferguson of Butler. He graduated from Saint Joseph High School, Natrona Heights, in 2015, and studied psychology at Butler County Community College. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, in 2019.
SAINT VINCENT ARCHABBEY
Brother Celestine, O.S.B., entered the novitiate of Saint Vincent Archabbey on July 1, 2015, and made simple profession of monastic vows on July 10, 2016.
Additional photos of the event are at this link.
A video from the event is at this link.
