Saint Vincent Seminary welcomed twenty new students for the 2011-2012 academic year. They are from the dioceses of Cheng Du, Covington, Greensburg, Harrisburg, and Wheeling-Charleston, and the religious communities of Saint Gregory Abbey, Saint Vincent Archabbey, São Bento Monastery and Subiaco Abbey.
Diocese of Cheng Du
Yi Liang Huang of Deyang, Sichuan, China graduated from Yun Xi High School in Shi Fang, Sichuan. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and theology from Si Chuan Catholic Seminary in Cheng Du, Sichuan in September 2001.
Diocese of Covington
Jason Michael Bertke of Hebron, Kentucky, is the son of Robert and Cathy Bertke of Hebron. He graduated from Father Ryan High School in Nashville, Tennessee in 2002. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in theology from Thomas More College in Crestview Hills, Kentucky in 2007. He earned a master of arts in theology from the Athenaeum of Ohio in 2011.
Michael Andrew Black of Horizon City, Texas, is the son of Carl and Rosa Black of Horizon City. He is a graduate of J.M. Hanks High School, El Paso. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy and theology from the University of Notre Dame in 2007.
Britton Clark Hennessey is the son of Matthew and Janet Hennessey of Augusta, Kentucky. He graduated from Augusta High School in Kentucky in 2000, and earned a bachelor of business administration degree with an emphasis in business information systems from Morehead State University, Kentucky, in 2004.
Luis A. León-Sáenz, M. Div., of Baltimore is a native of Costa Rica. He is the son of Rafael León-Bolaños and Maria Ligia Sálny-Vargas of San Pedro, Costa Rica. He graduated from Don Bosco High School in San José, Costa Rica in 1975. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from Anna Maria College in Paxton, Massachusetts in 2000. In 2010, he earned a master of divinity degree from Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Maryland.
Michael John McGrady II, of Buffalo Grove, Illinois is the son of Dr. Michael and Diane McGrady. He graduated from Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois in 2002. He studied at Northern Illinois University and earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and accountancy from the University of Notre Dame in 2009.
Diocese of Harrisburg
Ryan Michael Fischer is the son of Michael and Margaret Fischer of Lancaster. He graduated from Lancaster Catholic High School in 2003. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy and theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, in 2009.
Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston
Rev. Mr. Deyre Bation Azcna is the son of Rhesa Azcuna of Baliangao Misamis Occidental, the Philippines, and the late Tranquilino Azcuna Jr. He graduated from Mount Carmel High School in Baliangao in 1992, and earned a degree in philosophy from San Carlos Seminary College in Cebu City, Philippines in 1999. He studied sacred theology at the University of Santo Tomas from 1999-2003.
Saint Gregory Abbey
Brother Simeon Spitz, O.S.B., is a monk of Saint Gregory’s Abbey, Shawnee, Oklahoma. He is the son of Jerry Spitz of Canute, Oklahoma and Susan Boyer of Phoenix, Arizona. He is a 2002 graduate of Canute High School, Canute, Oklahoma. He earned bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees from Saint Gregory’s University in 2007, where he studied philosophy and political science. He also studied at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.
Saint Vincenty Archabbey
Brother Canice McMullen, O.S.B., is the son of Craig and Ruth McMullen of State College. He is a 2006 graduate of State College Area High School. He earned a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Pennsylvania State University in 2010.
Brother Gregory Zimmerman, O.S.B., is the son of John and Cathi Zimmerman of Elm Grove, Wisconsin. He is a 1999 graduate of Brookfield East High School and studied history, philosophy and religion at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, graduating in 2010.
Brother Joachim Morgan, O.S.B., of Saint Vincent Archabbey is the son of Charles and Laura Morgan of White Lake, Michigan. He has one sister, Rebecca Field of White Lake. He is a 2006 graduate of Ludington High School and earned a bachelor of science degree in French from Central Michigan University in 2009.
São Bento Monastery
Brother Rafael dos Santos, O.S.B. of Junqueirópolis, Brazil is the son of the late José Arcanjo and Enedina Ferreira dos Santos. He graduated from Escola Estadual P.S.G. Prof. Geraldo Pecorarî High School, Junqueirópolis, São Paulo, in 1981. He earned a licentiate in philosophy from Faculdade de Sáo Bento, Sáo Paulo, in 2009.
Subiaco Abbey
Brother Patrick Boland, O.S.B., is from Subiaco Abbey, Arkansas. His parents are James M. and Catherine M. Boland of North East, Pennsylvania.
He is a 1980 graduate of North East High School. He earned an associate degree in science from Pennsylvania State University, New Kenginston, in 1984. He earned a bachelor of theology degree from the Theology Institute of the Diocese of Arkansas, Saint Gregory’s University, Shawnee, Oklahoma in 2011.
Master of Arts in Ecclesial Ministry
Six students are enrolled in the master of arts degree in ecclesial ministry.
Diocese of Greensburg
Michael T. Aimino of Dayton is the son of Frederick and Mary Lou Aimino of Dayton. He graduated from Punxstawney Area High School in 1984, and attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania, earning a bachelor of arts degree in English in 1989. He earned a certificate in pastoral ministry from Seton Hill University in 2011. He is enrolled in the master of arts program in Ecclesial Ministry.
Kate Elizabeth Barkowski of Natrona Heights is the daughter of Lawrence and Mary Kathleen Barkowski of Natrona Heights. She is a 2002 graduate of Saint Joseph High School in Natrona Heights. She earned a bachelor of science degree in biology with minors in religious studies and English from Saint Vincent College in 2006. She is enrolled in the master of arts program in Ecclesial Ministry at Saint Vincent Seminary.
Stephen E. Black of Homer City is the son of the late Charles and Mary Black. He graduated from Laurel Valley High School in 1972. He earned a bachelor of science degree in organizational leadership from Saint Francis University in 2008. He is enrolled in the master of arts program in Ecclesial Ministry.
Jeffrey Cieslewicz, Sr., of McKeesport is the son of Mary Cieslewicz and the late Vincent P. Cieslewicz. He is a 1976 graduate of McKeesport Area Senior High and attended Penn State McKeesport, where he earned an associate’s degree in electrical engineering in 1980. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in business with a certificate for pastoral ministry from Seton Hill University in 2011. He is enrolled in the master of arts program in Ecclesial Ministry.
Edward E. Jones of Blairsville is the son of Virginia Peters of Blairsville and the late Boyce Jones. He graduated from Satellite High School in Satellite Beach, Florida in 1967. He earned an associate of arts degree at Brevard Community College, Florida, in 1969. In 1971, he earned a bachelor of science degree in journalism and public relations from the University of Florida, Gainesville. He received a certificate in pastoral ministry from Seton Hill University in 2011. He is enrolled in the master of arts program in Ecclesial Ministry.
Herbert A. Nicholson of Latrobe, is the son of the late Leroy and Edna Nicholson. He attended Westmoreland County Community College from 2007 to 2010. He has also studied at Seton Hill University. He is enrolled in the master of arts program in Ecclesial Ministry.
