Eight seminarians from Saint Vincent Seminary, Latrobe, were instituted to the Ministry of Acolyte on October 17 by Most Rev. Lawrence T. Persico, J.C.L., Bishop of the Diocese of Erie.
They are from the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, the Diocese of Covington, the Diocese of Pittsburgh, São Bento Monastery in Vinhedo, Brazil and Saint Vincent Archabbey.
DIOCESE OF ALTOONA-JOHNSTOWN
Mark E. Groeger of Ridgway is the son of Geraldine Gilmore of Ridgway and the late Theodore J. Groeger. He is a 1976 graduate of Ridgway Area High School. Prior to entering the seminary he worked in health care in in-patient psychiatry and information technology as a clinical analyst and nursing informatics specialist.
Michael A. Pleva of Altoona is a 2013 graduate of Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School, Altoona. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Gannon University, Erie, in 2017. He is the son of Russell and Mary Ann Pleva of Altoona.
Jordan M. Hainsey, studying for the Diocese of Covington, is from Hollidaysburg.
DIOCESE OF COVINGTON
Jordan M. Hainsey of Hollidaysburg is a 2007 graduate of Hollidaysburg High School. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in graphic design and marketing from Saint Vincent College in 2011. He is the son of Raymond and Denise Hainsey of Hollidaysburg.
Dale M. Nieberding of Dayton, Ohio is a 1976 graduate of Carroll High School, Dayton. He earned a bachelor of science degree in horticulture from Ohio State University in Columbus in 1980 and completed a bachelor of Sacred Theology degree at Saint Augustine/Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He is a son of the late James R. and Mildred F. Nieberding.
Joseph C. Rielage of Florence, Kentucky, is the son of the late Thomas J. and Carol J. Rielage. He graduated in 1988 from Elder High School, Cincinnati. He studied at Thomas More College, Crestview Hills, Kentucky from 1988 to 1990, then transferred to the University of Cincinnati, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history in 1993.
DIOCESE OF PITTSBURGH
John P. Flynn of Valencia is a 2013 graduate of Aquinas Academy. He studied international business at Saint Vincent College and completed a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Duquense University, Pittsburgh in 2017. He also studied at the Community College of Allegheny County. He is the son of Michael V. Flynn and Heather Flynn of Valencia.
SAO BENTO MONASTERY, VINHEDO, BRAZIL
Brother Samuel Pinheiro, O.S.B., of Vinhedo, Brazil, is a 2008 graduate of Colegio Pro Cotil, Limeíra, São Paulo. He has a licentiate in philosophy degree (Ph.L. ) from the Pontificia Universidade Catolica de Campinas. He is the son of Adão Jose Pinheiro and Vanía Aparecida Pedro Pinheiro of Limeíra, Brazil.
SAINT VINCENT ARCHABBEY
Brother Cassian (Lamar) Edwards, O.S.B., is the son of Angela Gonzalez of Metairie, Louisiana and the late Walton Lamar Edwards III. He is a 2007 graduate of Archbishop Rummel High School. He graduated from Our Lady of the Holy Cross College in 2011 with a bachelor of arts degree in theology.
