Saint Vincent Seminary welcomed 28 new seminarians for the fall semester, in addition to four men who will study for the permanent diaconate and two lay students. The seminarians are from eight dioceses and six abbeys and monasteries.
CONCEPTION ABBEY
Paul A. Sheller , O.S.B., is the son of Dennis and Barbara Sheller of Stillwater, Oklahoma. He is a 2000 graduate of Stillwater High School. He studied at Oklahoma State University from 2000 to 2002, and then at Conception Seminary College from 2002 to 2005, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy.
DIOCESE OF COVINGTON
Eric L. Andriot of Florence, Kentucky, is the son of the late Phil and Mary Andriot. He is a 1992 graduate of Covington Catholic High School, Park Hills, and attended Thomas More College, Crestview Hills, Kentucky, where he studied business administration, from 2000 to 2003. He has an associate of applied science degree from Northern Kentucky University.
Josiah N. Booth is the son of Ray Booth and Vanna Mae Critoria of Navarre, Ohio. He is a 2003 graduate of Central Catholic High School, Canton, earned a bachelor of arts degree in history from the Pontifical College Josephinum and Franciscan University of Steubenville in 2009.
Michael B. Norton of Villa Hills, Kentucky, is the son of Michael E. and Kathy S. Norton of Madisonville. He is a 2001 graduate of Ryle High School, Union. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Thomas More College, Crestview Hills, Kentucky, in 2009.
Jacob E. Straub is the son of Clifford and Terri Straub of Alexandria, Kentucky. He is a 2001 graduate of Campbell County High School. He studied history at Georgetown College, Georgetown, Kentucky; history and philosophy at Northern Kentucky University; and earned a bachelor of arts degree in history from the Pontifical College Josephinum in 2009.
DIOCESE OF ERIE
David M. Renne of Punxsutawney is the son of Peter and Jennifer Renne of Punxsutawney. He is a 2005 graduate of Punxsutawney Area High School and earned a bachelor of arts degree in English/philosophy from Gannon University, Erie, in 2009.
DIOCESE OF HARRISBURG
Donald H. Bender, Jr., of Lancaster, is the son of Donald H. Bender, Sr., and Theresa Bender of Ephrata. He is a 1989 graduate of Ephrata Senior High School and received a bachelor of science degree in education from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh.
Ryan M. Fischer of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is the son of Michael and Margaret Fischer. He is a 2003 graduate of Lancaster Catholic High School. He attended Franciscan University of Steubenville and received degrees in philosophy and theology in 2009.
DIOCESE OF NAN CHONG
John Huang Wen Hong is from Nan Chong, Si Chuan Province, China. He is the son of Daiguo Huang and Weihua Tang of Anyue. He is a 2000 graduate of Bei Ta High School in Nan Chong. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Saint Vincent College in 2007.
DIOCESE OF PATERSON
Damian P. Zablocki of Newark is the son of Brenda G. Edwards of Holland, Ohio, and the late Bronislaw W. Zablocki. He is a 1996 graduate of Maumee High School, Maumee, Ohio. He also studied philosophy at Catholic University of America from 2006-2007.
DIOCESE OF SAGINAW
Christian Tabares of Saginaw is the son of Sonia Velasquez of Medellin, Colombia and the late Hector Tabares. He is a 1993 graduate of Medellin Minor Seminary, Colombia, and earned a bachelor’s degree in theology from Santo Tomas de Aquino Seminary, Santa Rosa de Osos, Colombia, in 2006.
Alberto E. Vargas of Saginaw is the son of Ivan and Maria Disne Vargas of Ituango, Colombia. He is a 2005 graduate of the Seminario Cristo Sacerdote with a major in philosophy. He has also studied at Santo Tomas de Aquino Seminary, Santa Rosa de Osos, Colombia.
Juan I. Velasquez of Saginaw is the son of Alirio I. Velasquez and Teresa Hincapie of Yarumal, Colombia. He attended the diocesan Santo Tomas de Aquino Seminary, Santa Rosa de Osos, Colombia, graduating high school in 1998 there and graduating with a degree in ecclesiastic studies in November 2001.
DIOCESE OF SAVANNAH
Augustine U. Ariwaodo of Umuahia, Abi State, Nigeria, is a current resident of Statesboro, Georgia. He is a son of Monica Chinyere Ariwaodo and the late Matthias Nriwaodo of Umuahia. He graduated from Queen of Apostles Secondary Technical College in Nigeria in 1994, and earned a bachelor of theology degree from the Seminary of Saints Peter and Paul, Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria, in 2005.
John D. Wright is the son of Rob and Carol Wright of Savannah. He is a 2004 graduate of Benedictine Military High School, Savannah. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice from the University of Georgia, Athens, in 2008.
Micah J. Wright is the son of Rev. Gary E. and Rev. Carol A. Wright of Greenfield, Indiana. He is a 1992 graduate of West Branch High School, Beloit, Ohio, and studied theology and philosophy at Ave Maria University, Ave Maria, Florida, from 2003 to 2006.
DIOCESE OF WHEELING-CHARLESTON
Curtis M. Abbott of Nitro, West Virginia, is the son of Harold and Shawn Abbott of Nitro. He is a 2005 graduate of South Charleston High School, South Charleston, West Virginia. He also studied theology at Wheeling Jesuit University, Wheeling, West Virginia.
MONASTERY OF CHRIST IN THE DESERT
Brother Lawrence Alberto Pilarca, O.S.B., is a monk of the Monastery of Christ in the Desert in New Mexico. He is the son of Fidela Pilarca of Camarines Sur, the Philippines, and the late Alfredo Pilarca. He received a bachelor of science in industrial education at the Camerines Sur National College of Arts and Trades in 1981. He has also studied at Saint Meinrad School of Theology.
Brother Paulavang L. Vuong, O.S.B., of the Monastery of Christ in the Desert, Abiquiu, New Mexico, is the son of Hien Xuan Vuong and Hac Thi Luu of Houston. He is a native of Da Nang, Vietnam. He graduated from Trinh Chau Phan High School, Da Nang, in 1980. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Mount Angel Seminary, Saint Benedict, Oregon, in 2007 and has also studied at Saint Meinrad School of Theology.
MOUNT SAVIOR MONASTERY
Thomas M. Colucci, O.S.B., of Bronxville, New York, is the son of Donald F. and Marilyn G. Colucci of Bardonia, New York. He is a 1974 graduate of Albertus Magnus High School, Bardonia. He earned a bachelor of science degree in general studies from Springfield College, Massachusetts, in 1979 and a master of science degree in health and fitness management from American University in 1981.
SAINT BEDE ABBEY
Brother Gregory Jarzombek, O.S.B., of Chicago is from Saint Bede Abbey, Peru, Illinois. He mother is Catherine Jarzombek of Park Ridge, Illinois. He is a 1971 graduate of Notre Dame High School for Boys, Niles, Illinois. He earned a bachelor of science degree in finance from Marquette University in 1975 and a master of business administration degree in finance in 1976 from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
SAINT JOSEPH MONASTERY
Brother Matthew Nguyen, O.Cist., of Saint Joseph Monastery, Lucerne Valley, California, is the son of Thuc Van and Nam Be Thi Vo Nguyen of Vinh Long, Vietnam. He attended Hieu Phung High School, Vinh Long, graduating in 1999.
Brother Peter Pham, O.Cist., of Saint Joseph Monastery, Lucerne Valley, California is the son of An Dang Pham and the late Cong Thi Nguyen Pham of Dong Nai, Vietnam.He attended Kiem Tan High School, Dong Nai, graduating in 1999.
SAINT VINCENT ARCHABBEY
Brother Pio Adamonis, O.S.B., is the son of Peter P. and Catherine Adamonis of Upland. He is a 1986 graduate of Saint James High School. He earned a bachelor of science degree in marketing from Penn State University in 1990.
Brother Albert Gahr, O.S.B., is the son of Raymond and Diana Gahr of Kersey. He is a 1991 graduate of Elk County Christian High School, St. Marys. He earned a bachelor of science degree in biology in 1995 from Saint Vincent College and a doctorate in genetics and developmental biology from West Virginia University in 2002.
Brother John Paul Heiser, O.S.B., is the son of Randy and Sherry Heiser of Bethel Park. He is a 2004 graduate of Bethel Park High School and earned a bachelor of arts degrees in international politics and psychology from Penn State University in 2008.
Brother Isidore Minerd, O.S.B., is the son of Timothy and Laura Lee Szepesi of Connellsville. He is a 2002 graduate of Connellsville Area High School. He earned a bachelor of science degree in computing and information science from Saint Vincent College in May 2006 and a bachelor of arts in Catholic theology from Saint Vincent in December 2006.
SAO BENTO MONASTERY, ARCHDIOCESE OF CAMPINAS
Brother Cassiano Mauricio De Souza, O.S.B., of Brazil is from São Bento Abbey, São Paulo, Brazil. He studied theology at Centro Universitário Salesiano de São Paulo, philosophy at Faculdade São Bento and is a 1995 graduate of EEPSG Prof a Zenaide Vilalva de Araujo, São Paulo.
