Ten seminarians from Saint Vincent Seminary, Latrobe, Pennsylvania, were instituted into the Ministry of Lector on April 10 by Most Rev. Mark A. Eckman, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. The seminarians are from the dioceses of Beijing, China; Charleston, South Carolina; Ogdensburg, New York; Zhaoxian, China and Greensburg, Pittsburgh and Scranton in Pennsylvania, as well Saint Vincent Archabbey, Latrobe. The lector reads the word of God in the liturgical assembly, except the Gospel, in the Mass and other sacred celebrations, recites the psalms between the readings, and can also present the intercessions.
DIOCESE OF BEIJING, CHINA
Xiaojian (Joseph) Wang is a 2015 graduate of QingXu High School, Shanxi, China. He earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Jilin University in Jilin, China, in 2019. He has accomplished studies in pre-theology at the Saint Michael Seminary in Beijing. His parents are Xuping Wang and Caifen Han of Shanxi, China.
DIOCESE OF CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
John Erwin of Montgomery, Alabama, graduated from Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School in 1998. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from Auburn University in 2003 and did additional graduate studies in engineering at the University of South Carolina. He completed a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2016. His pre-theology studies were done at the University of Saint Thomas in Houston, where he received an Associate Degree.
DIOCESE OF GREENSBURG
Mario J. Porreca is a 2003 graduate of Belle Vernon Area High School. He studied culinary arts at Westmoreland County Community College, and has also studied philosophy and theology at Holy Apostles College and Seminary, Cromwell, Connecticut, and philosophy at Franciscan University of Steubenville. He is the son of Joseph and Denise Porreca of West Newton.
DIOCESE OGDENSBURG, NEW YORK
Kevin McCullouch is a 2015 graduate of Carthage Central High School and New York State University of Potsdam, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2021. He is the son of Gary and Laura McCullouch of Black River, New York.
DIOCESE OF PITTSBURGH
Mark Littlefield of Pittsburgh is a 2015 graduate of North Allegheny High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from the University of Pittsburgh in 2019. His parents are Daniel D. Littlefield and Janine S. Littlefield of St. Petersburg, Florida.
Tung Thanh Nguyen is a 2012 graduate of Phan Dinh Phung High School, Ha Tinh, Vietnam. He earned a degree in civil engineering from Vinh University in Vinh, Vietnam in 2010 and has done additional graduate studies in pre-theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. His parents are Huan Thanh Nguyen and Mai Thi Vo of Ha Tinh, Vietnam.
DIOCESE OF SCRANTON
Jeremy M. Barket of Dupont, Pennsylvania is a 2007 graduate of Pittston Area Senior High School. He studied broadcast communications at Luzerne County Community College, earning an Associate of Applied Science degree in 2010. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marywood University, Scranton, in 2012, majoring in advertising and public relations. He completed pre-theology studies at Saint Mary’s Seminary and University in 2023. His parents are Stanley A. Barket and Vivian V. Barket of Dupont.
DIOCESE OF ZHAOXIAN, CHINA
Xiaoguang (Joseph) Zhang was born in a small village of Hebei Province, called Xipudi. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in economics from Hebei University of Economics and Business in 2014. Right after graduating from University, he entered Hebei Major Catholic Seminary, and there he completed a two-year philosophy course and got a Bachelor’s degree of philosophy at the end of 2016. From 2017 to 2021, he was with the Jesuits, and finished the Jesuit’s novice formation. In August 2021, After leaving the Society of Jesus, he returned to Diocese of Zhaoxian.
SAINT VINCENT ARCHABBEY
Brother Bosco (Douglas John) Hough, O.S.B., is a 2014 graduate of West Shamokin Junior/Senior High School. He studied early childhood and special education at Saint Vincent College, graduating in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He earned a Master of Science degree in special education from Saint Vincent in 2020. He is the son of Brian and Nicole Hough of Steubenville.
Brother Finnbar McEvoy, O.S.B., of Morristown, New Jersey, is a 2009 graduate of High Point Regional High School, Wantage, New Jersey. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in math and physics from The Catholic University of America in 2013. He received a Master of Education degree in high school math education from the University of Notre Dame in 2015. He is the son of Doreen Anne Binns of Hardyston, New Jersey and the late Timothy Patrick McEvoy.