HOLY TRINITY SEMINARY VIRTUAL BENEFIT
HOLY TRINITY SEMINARY
MISSION STATEMENT TO ASSIST COLLEGE AND PRE-THEOLOGY MEN IN DISCERNING A CALL TO THE PRIESTHOOD AND THROUGH PROGRAMS OF HUMAN, SPIRITUAL, INTELLECTUAL, AND PASTORAL FORMATION TO FOSTER THE CONFIGURING OF THEIR HEARTS TO THE HEART OF JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD
ORDER OF EVENTS
PRELUDE MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
MEET OUR SEMINARIANS BY DIOCESE THROUGHOUT THE EVENING
Schola Cantorum Seminarians of Holy Trinity Seminary
REMARKS FROM OUR HONORARY CO-CHAIRS
Dr. Gregory Hamilton | Director of Sacred Music | Holy Trinity Seminary
Marge and Joe Giangiulio
PROGRAM
REFLECTION FROM AN ALUMNUS
WELCOME & OPENING PRAYER
+Most Reverend J. Douglas Deshotel Bishop | Diocese of Lafayette
SUPPORTING HOLY TRINITY SEMINARY Very Reverend James Swift, C.M. Rector | Holy Trinity Seminary
Melissa and Rick Sapio
ST. JOHN VIANNEY AWARD PRESENTATION Father Swift
INTRODUCTION OF EMCEES
Sue and Bill Cicherski | Awardees
Fr. Swift Jeremy Maness Senior | Diocese of Dallas | Emcee
CLOSING
Reed Robinson Junior | Diocese of Nashville | Emcee
FINAL COMMENTS
PHONE BANKS OPEN
+Most Reverend Gregory Kelly Auxiliary Bishop | Diocese of Dallas
ONLINE BIDDING OF AUCTION ITEMS
PRAYER
MESSAGE FROM OUR SHEPHERD +Most Reverend Edward J. Burns Bishop | Diocese of Dallas
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OUR SHEPHERDS
M OS T R E V E R E N D
E DWA R D J . B U R N S E i g h t h B i s h o p o f Da l l a s Ordained a priest for the Diocese of Pittsburgh on June 25, 1983. Ordained a bishop on March 3, 2009, and installed as Bishop of the Diocese of Juneau on April 2, 2009. Installed as Bishop of the Diocese of Dallas on February 9, 2017.
M OS T R E V E R E N D
G R EG O RY K E L LY Au x i l i a r y B i s h o p o f Da l l a s Graduate of Holy Trinity Seminary and the University of Dallas, 1982. Ordained a priest for the Diocese of Dallas on May 15, 1982. Ordained a bishop on February 11, 2016, as Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Dallas.
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RECTOR’S WELCOME
DEAR FR IEN DS OF HOLY TR IN IT Y S E M INA RY, What a difference a year can make! The last seven months of the coronavirus have called all of us to so many changes in the way we live and interact. I hope and pray that you have remained well during these challenging times and that you have had access to the Church and sacraments. The virus has invited us to be creative in so many ways and that includes us here at Holy Trinity Seminary as we host this year’s Spes Gregis seminary benefit virtually. Although we cannot come together at a hotel like we normally do, we can nonetheless still accomplish each year’s goals, namely, to give you a chance to meet our seminarians and to financially help us give them the best formation possible. These men, representing 11 dioceses, have heard the Lord’s call and have come to Holy Trinity Seminary in order to become the next generation of priests ready to joyfully serve you. For our part, we are committed to giving you priests who are approachable and affectively mature, men who know Jesus as their Friend and have a solid prayer life, men who know the Catholic faith and can teach it and preach it, men whose hearts are shaped after the heart of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, burning with zeal to be of compassionate service to you. Such quality formation is costly, and so we turn to you, inviting you to join us in this holy work of priestly formation through your financial support. Your gift makes it possible for us to give you the kinds of future priests you want and deserve. Thank you for your generosity. Please pray for us here and know of our prayers for you and for all our benefactors. May God bless you and keep you safe.
Very Reverend James Swift, C.M. Rector
HONORARY CO-CHAIRS
MELISSA AND RICK
MARGE AND JOE
SAPIO
GIANGIULIO
WE CONSIDER IT A PRIVILEGE TO SERVE IN ANY WAY WE CAN FOR HOLY TRINITY SEMINARY. BEING HONORARY CO-CHAIRS FOR A VIRTUAL GATHERING HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE, BUT WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT YOU WILL BE AS TOUCHED AS WE ARE BY THE INCREDIBLE SEMINARIANS WHO ARE WILING TO ANSWER THE CALL TO SERVE GOD IN THE ROLE OF PRIESTS FOR US. THIS YEAR, AS YOU MEET THEM VIRTUALLY, WE ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO BE AS GENEROUS AS YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE PAST IN HELPING TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR FORMATION. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND THANKS FOR ANSWERING THE CALL.
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REFLECTION FROM AN ALUMNUS
M OS T R E V E R E N D
J. DOUGLAS DESHOTEL B i s h o p o f La f a y e t t e
HOLY TRINITY SEMINARY WAS MY HOME FOR SIX YEARS AS A STUDENT AND THEN LATER SIX YEARS ON THE FACULTY AS VICE-RECTOR. I HAVE VERY FOND MEMORIES OF BOTH TOURS OF DUTY. AS A STUDENT, I RECEIVED EXCELLENT FORMATION IN PREPARATION FOR THE PRIESTHOOD. BOTH THE SPIRITUAL FORMATION AT THE SEMINARY AND THE ACADEMIC FORMATION I RECEIVED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS, GAVE ME SKILLS THAT HAVE SERVED ME IN MY FORTY-TWO YEARS AS A PRIEST AND TEN YEARS AS BISHOP. I SHALL ALWAYS TREASURE THE HAPPY TIMES I SPENT THERE, THE COMMUNITY LIFE OF THE SEMINARY AND THE LIFE-LONG FRIENDSHIPS THAT I FORMED. I PRAY THAT ALL THE SEMINARIANS WHO ATTEND HAVE THE SAME WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE THAT I DID. God bless you, Holy Trinity Seminary, and keep up the wonderful work of forming future shepherds for the Church.
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2020-2021 HOLY TRINITY SEMINARY CLASS
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V E RY R E V E R E N D
JA M E S E . S W I F T, C . M . , S .T. D. Re c t o r | D i r e c t o r o f F o r m a t i o n I am a proud native of Kansas, born and raised in Wichita where I attended Catholic grade school and high school and first thought of priesthood. College saw me head off to the seminary in Denver, CO., to study for the Diocese of Wichita. It was there that the Lord gently directed me to join the Vincentians (Congregation of the Mission) who were our teachers and formators. I wanted to join them in order to spend my priesthood the way they spent theirs, namely, working in seminaries to help prepare men for the priesthood. And God has blessed me in letting me do just that! After novitiate and theology studies, I was ordained in 1978 and assigned to the seminary in St. Louis, MO., where I have spent most of my priestly ministry teaching, serving as spiritual director, formation director, and worship director, and holding administrative responsibilities. Besides Masters degrees in both sacramental and liturgical theology, I earned a license and doctorate in dogmatic theology in Rome where I came to a deeper love for the universal Church and for fine pasta too! Along the way laid out for me by God, I have been privileged to serve as Provincial Superior of my Vincentian Community in the Midwest and Kenya, direct the permanent diaconate formation program in St. Louis, assist the pastor of an Eastern Rite church in St. Louis for many years, serve on the board of our Vincentian DePaul University in Chicago, and chair the papal Mass committee for the visit of Pope St. John Paul II in 1999. In the year prior to coming to Holy Trinity Seminary, I was busy leading parish missions in the Midwest while also offering sacramental and spiritual ministry to diocesan priests serving in rural dioceses. The priesthood means everything to me, and I could not be happier to be able to serve the priesthood of Jesus Christ through my assignment to Holy Trinity Seminary.
“ W H O M E L S E H AV E I I N T H E H E AV E N S B U T YO U ? ” - P SA L M 7 3 : 2 5
REVEREND
E U G E N E A ZO R J I Re s i d e n t S p i r i t u a l D i r e c t o r I was born in Oboama Ezinihitte Mbaise in Imo State, Nigeria. I attended St. Peter Claver’s Seminary Opkala and Bigard Memorial Seminary Enugu, both in Nigeria. After my ordination in 1980, I served as a parochial vicar in the Archdiocese of Owerri. I later served as a parish priest at St. Joseph Alaenyi Ogwa. I was the pioneer rector of Mater Ecclesiae Seminary Nguru Mbaise, a minor seminary. I went to Urban University in Rome in 1984 for further studies and majored in Dogmatic Theology. In 1989 I received a master’s degree in School Counseling from St. John’s University in New York. I spent several years at St. Joseph Major Seminary Ikot Epkene Akwa Ibom State and Seat of Wisdom Seminary Ariam Umuahia, both houses of formation in Nigeria. I have served in the Diocese of Dallas for several years and was most recently the Pastoral Administrator of St. Michael the Archangel Church in McKinney. I began the process of incardination to the diocese of Dallas few years ago. My new assignment is the Resident Spiritual Director at Holy Trinity Seminary Irving Dallas.
“ F I AT VO LU N TAS T UAS .” - L E T YO U R W I L L B E D O N E , LO R D
ADMINISTRATION AND FACULTY MRS. THERESE FRANK D i r e c t o r o f Pa s t o r a l F o r m a t i o n As a young person I was drawn to the study of philosophy and was led to pursue this interest at the Catholic University of America, graduating from there with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. The friendships forged during the years at CUA led to my meeting and marrying my husband. During our forty years together we have reared five children who have thus far blessed us with, at present count, nineteen grandchildren. In addition to our shared interest in philosophy and theology, we are both professed members of the Secular Franciscan Order. Over the years I have worked in a variety of church ministries, many of them educational and/or related to preparation for living the sacramental life. I also returned to graduate school, earning a Master of Arts in Theology from the University of Dallas. In 2015 I joined the faculty of Holy Trinity Seminary as Director of Pastoral Formation. In addition to guiding their on-site ministerial work, I provide the seminarians with learning opportunities that will lead them to a deeper understanding of specific areas of church ministry, help them develop necessary ministerial skills, and lead them into a life-long habit of theological reflection. “ T H E R E I S N O U G H T G O D LOV E S , B E I T N OT O N E W H O DW E L L S W I T H W I S D O M .” - W I S D O M 7 : 2 8
D R . G R E G O RY H A M I LTO N Director of Sacred Music I was born in Michigan, attended Baldwin-Wallace College, and studied Musicology and Early Music in London, England at the Royal College of Music, completing my M.Mus. and A.R.C.M. there in 1986. I then returned to the U.S., where I commenced organ study with Dr. Marilyn Mason, completing in 2000 my Doctorate in sacred music. As a composer, my music has been published by a variety of music publishers, and has been performed in churches, concert halls, and festivals throughout the U.S. and abroad. Music forms an important part of the comprehensive formation program here at HTS. Many of the students are highly accomplished musicians and many love music as an avocation. But all understand that as the church has said: “The musical tradition of the Universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that as a combination of sacred music and words, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy.” Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy. “. . . B E F U L LY C O N S C I O U S O F YO U R G R E AT R E S P O N S I B I L I T Y TO C O M M U N I CAT E B E AU T Y, TO C O M M U N I CAT E I N A N D T H R O U G H B E AU T Y ! ” - B E N E D I C T X V I
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D R . M AT T H E W WA L Z Director of Intellectual Formation In 2012, I began serving as the Director of Intellectual Formation at Holy Trinity Seminary. Since then it has been a great blessing to me to assist these young men as they seek to do God’s will. I was born in New York, but grew up mostly in Ohio. I completed my undergraduate studies at Christendom College in Virginia, double-majoring in philosophy and theology. Then I studied in the School of Philosophy at The Catholic University of America, earning a doctorate in philosophy by completing a dissertation on St. Thomas Aquinas’s understanding of free will. I have been teaching at the college level since 1998. As a graduate student, I taught for two years in the School of Philosophy at The Catholic University of America. Then I began teaching at Thomas Aquinas College in California, where I remained for eight years. Since 2008 I have been a professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Dallas, where I also serve as Director of the Philosophy & Letters and Pre-Theology Programs. My research and writing focus primarily on medieval philosophy, ancient philosophy, and philosophical anthropology. Besides St. Thomas, my favorite authors include Aristotle, St. Augustine, Boethius, St. Anselm, St. Bonaventure, and Karol Wojtyla/John Paul II. I am especially blessed to be married to my lovely wife Teresa. We have eight children—two boys and six girls. They keep us busy, of course, but also joyful and grateful to God for His manifold gifts.
“ I D O N OT S E E K TO U N D E R STA N D S O T H AT I M AY B E L I E V E , B U T I B E L I E V E S O T H AT I M AY U N D E R STA N D. F O R I B E L I E V E T H I S A L S O : T H AT U N L E S S I W I L L H AV E B E L I E V E D, I W I L L N OT U N D E R STA N D.” - ST. A N S E L M , P R O S LO G I O N
REVEREND
Z AC H A RY W E B B Associate Director of Formation I grew up in Coppell, Texas, where my family attended St. Ann Catholic Church. After graduating from Coppell High School in 2004, I attended the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio and entered the Pre-Theologate Program. After graduating from Franciscan University in August of 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, I entered St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston, Texas as a seminarian for the Diocese of Dallas. I graduated in 2012 from St. Mary’s Seminary and the University of St. Thomas in Houston with the degrees of Master of Divinity and Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology. I was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Kevin Farrell, D.D. on June 2, 2012. I spent my first three years as a priest serving as a parochial vicar of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Frisco, Texas. In July of 2015, I was assigned as a parochial vicar to Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in Farmers Branch. Then in June of 2016 I was reassigned to Holy Trinity Seminary to serve on the formation faculty. In addition to serving as a formation advisor at Holy Trinity Seminary, I am also the Director of Seminarians for the Diocese of Dallas. Walking with these men and helping them discern God’s will for their lives has been a source of great joy and blessing for me. “ I A M T H E V I N E , YO U A R E T H E B R A N C H E S . W H O E V E R R E M A I N S I N M E A N D I I N H I M W I L L B E A R M U C H F R U I T, B E CAU S E W I T H O U T M E YO U CA N D O N OT H I N G .” - J O H N 1 5 : 5
ADMINISTRATION AND FACULTY REVEREND
K E V I N W I LW E RT Associate Director of Formation I grew up in Allen, Texas attending St. Jude Catholic Church. After graduating from Allen High School, I spent my first year of college studying music at Collin College. When I began to hear God calling me in a new direction, I transferred to Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio. I was part of what is now known as the Priestly Discernment Program and active in music ministry; and, after 4 years there, I graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Theology. Upon graduation, I was accepted as a seminarian for the Diocese of Dallas and went into formation at St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston, Texas, where I earned a Master of Divinity degree. I was ordained on the Feast of the Visitation, May 31, 2014, by then-Bishop Kevin Farrell, D.D. I spent my first three years as a priest at St. Ann Catholic Church in Coppell, Texas. After that I was reassigned to Holy Trinity Seminary and have been here ever since. “ H OW G O O D I T I S , W H E N B R OT H E R S DW E L L TO G E T H E R AS O N E ! L I K E F I N E O I L U P O N T H E H E A D, R U N N I N G D OW N U P O N T H E B E A R D, U P O N THE BEARD OF AARON, UPON THE COLLAR OF HIS ROBE. LIKE DEW O F H E R M O N C O M I N G D OW N U P O N T H E M O U N TA I N S O F Z I O N . T H E R E T H E LO R D H AS D E C R E E D A B L E S S I N G , L I F E F O R E V E R M O R E ! ” - P SA L M 1 3 3
REVEREND
JA M E S YA M AU C H I Associate Director of Formation I was raised in a military family and have lived in Texas, Florida, Mississippi, Germany, and Italy. In 2003, I entered Holy Trinity Seminary as a seminarian for the Diocese of Dallas. Upon completing undergraduate studies at the University of Dallas, I earned a degree in theology and a licentiate in canon law at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. In the summer of 2008, I participated in Commissioned Officer Training with the military at Maxwell AFB in Alabama as a chaplain candidate. I was ordained a priest on July 16, 2011. I served as a parochial vicar at the following parishes: St. Philip the Apostle (2012); St. Thomas Aquinas (2013-2015); and St. Michael the Archangel in McKinney, as well as Holy Family in Van Alstyne (2015-2016). I also served as parochial administrator and then pastor of St. Martin of Tours in Forney from 2016-2020. In July of 2020, Bishop Edward J. Burns assigned me to Holy Trinity Seminary to assist in the formation of our future priests. “ I CA M E T H AT T H E Y M AY H AV E L I F E , A N D H AV E I T A B U N DA N T LY.” – JOHN 10:10
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THE HOPE OF THE FLOCK
LU K E ACOS TA SOPHOMORE | Diocese of Dallas Hometown | Plano, TX
I first started discerning my call to the priesthood in seventh grade while I was a student at All Saints Catholic School. It was then that my love of Christ truly deepened, and only then was I able to hear God’s voice. I received my call the incoming year of my freshman year in high school while on a mission trip to San Antonio. At F.I.S.H. (Forever I Serve Him) Camp, I felt a sense of community with other teens like me, serving others as Christ called us to do. “THOSE WHO DO NOT LEARN FROM HISTORY ARE DOOMED TO REPEAT IT.” - George Santayana
FUN FACT: I ran my first full marathon when I was 18.
MICHAEL ARIENZA JUNIOR | Diocese of Galveston-Houston Hometown | Houston, TX
My father once said, “If you want to know God’s will, you have to fall in love.” It is truly so. But to fall in love with God, I had to first have an encounter with Divine Love and that primarily manifested itself through the sacrament of confession. It was through many, many confessions that I was oriented back to Christ. And only in the encountering of Divine Love was the hardness of my heart penetrated enough for me to notice the deepest longings of my heart that would eventually spur me into seminary where I am today. “O TRULY NECESSARY SIN OF ADAM, DESTROYED COMPLETELY BY THE DEATH OF CHRIST! O HAPPY FAULT THAT EARNED SO GREAT, SO GLORIOUS A REDEEMER!” – Exsultet, proclaimed at Easter
FUN FACT: I can do 10 push-ups.
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RYA N B E RG E R PRE-THEOLOGY I | Diocese of Galveston-Houston Hometown | Katy, TX
During my studies at Texas A&M, I felt a longing in my heart to know Jesus more deeply and to grow in holiness. I experienced the desire to give my life more fully to God while praying before the Blessed Sacrament. Working at my home parish for a year and praying with Our Lady confirmed that Jesus was inviting me to discover His will for me in a diocesan seminary. “I SAW THE SNARES OF THE DEVIL LAID OUT UPON THE GROUND, AND I SAID, ‘WHO CAN FLEE FROM THESE?’ AN ANGEL SAID TO ME, ‘HUMILITY.’” - St. Anthony of the Desert
FUN FACT: I own a guitar.
T H EO D O R E B I R KO F E R PRE-THEOLOGY I Diocese of Galveston-Houston Hometown | Houston, TX
I thank God, and my parents, for two things: I was born a Roman Catholic and a Houston Astros fan. I’ve also been blessed to live in Houston my whole life, attending parochial school growing up and then Houston’s premier all-boys catholic high school: St. Thomas. I spent the last four years at a small liberal arts college in Michigan called Hillsdale College, which has been, until seminary at least, the highlight of my life. I graduated with a degree in Philosophy and Religion. It was at Hillsdale, being away from home for the first time, that I really grew in the faith. During this growth I sensed the Lord calling me to something great, as indeed He calls all of us to do great things, but in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament I realized that He might be calling me to the priesthood, and, to that end, I have followed Him to seminary to discern this calling further. “PROBE ME, GOD, KNOW MY HEART; TRY ME, KNOW MY THOUGHTS. SEE IF THERE IS A WICKED PATH IN ME; LEAD ME ALONG AN ANCIENT PATH.” – Psalm 139:23-24
FUN FACT: I have visited 19 different countries.
THE HOPE OF THE FLOCK
VINÍCIUS B OT E L H O D E O L I V E I R A FRESHMAN | Diocese of Memphis Hometown | Mogi Mirim, São Paulo, Brazil
From a very young age, I have been fascinated by the mystery of the Mass. I loved to “play” Mass as a child. As I grew up, I met people who inspired me to have a closer relationship with the Lord. As my faith was challenged during my high school years, I asked myself about the meaning of my own life. I had to admit to myself that there is only one reason worth living: Christ. I want to do everything possible to make Him present on this earth. “THOU HAS MADE US FOR THYSELF, O LORD, AND OUR HEART IS RESTLESS UNTIL IT FINDS ITS REST IN THEE.” - Saint Augustine of Hippo
FUN FACT: I enjoy dry humor.
M AT T H E W B R E W E R JUNIOR | Diocese of Memphis Hometown | Olive Branch, MS
I have felt called to the priesthood for many years. When I was about four years old I would “play Mass” with a miniature Mass set that my family owned. When I entered high school I began to run from my vocation believing it was not the “cool” thing. However, around Easter of my junior year of high school, God began strongly calling me towards this vocation. I finally began to accept God’s call for my life, and it has brought me a great amount of peace since. “I THEN, A PRISONER FOR THE LORD, URGE YOU TO LIVE IN A MANNER WORTHY OF THE CALL YOU HAVE RECEIVED.” – Ephesians 4:1
FUN FACT: I am the seventh of nine children, and all of us were homeschooled.
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J E R E M Y C A SA L FRESHMAN | Diocese of Austin Hometown | Round Rock, TX
I was raised in Round Rock, Texas, and I attended St. William Catholic Church almost my entire life. I always admired the priests at my parish growing up, and as an altar server people would comment from time to time that I would make a good priest. I started discerning the priesthood more seriously in high school, attending several discernment events hosted by my diocese. I graduated high school in 2019, and after a year as a NET Missionary, I realized that God was calling me to enter seminary. By His grace, I said yes. “JESUS SAID TO THEM, ‘COME AFTER ME, AND I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MEN.’” - Mark 1:17
FUN FACT: I drank my first sip of Coca-Cola when I was 18 years old. Yes, I had not tasted Coca-Cola until I was an adult!
W E S L E Y C A S TA Ñ E DA PRE-THEOLOGY I | Diocese of Dallas Hometown | Greenville, TX
My vocation story is centered around Our Blessed Lord’s true presence in the Eucharist and Our Lady of Guadalupe. A cradle Catholic, my parents entrusted my life to her, and she never let go. Even in moments of doubt, spiritual laziness, or rebellion, she always called me back to the Church. She pointed me towards Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, and once I opened my heart to His Grace, I could no longer ignore my God standing in front of me. “THOU HAST MADE US FOR THYSELF, O LORD, AND OUR HEART IS RESTLESS UNTIL IT FINDS ITS REST IN THEE.” - St. Augustine
FUN FACT: My family on my mom’s side are members of the Huastec indigenous people.
THE HOPE OF THE FLOCK
J O H N C AVA N N A PRE-THEOLOGY I | Diocese of Dallas Hometown | Coppell, TX
I was raised in a wonderful family with four brothers and one sister. Educated primarily by my dedicated parents, our homeschool group, and also by my parish’s youth ministry, I grew to love our faith. In particular, my heart was moved by the thought of the priesthood. At first, this movement seemed to be only a natural appreciation for the priesthood; thus, I decided to go to college. I entered the University of Dallas and studied history. As this education nourished my love for Goodness, Truth, and Beauty, I realized that the idea of the priesthood not only attracted me, but also gave me a sense of peace. “OVER THE IRON FOREST / HE SAW OUR LADY STAND; / HER EYES WERE SAD WITHOUTEN ART, / AND SEVEN SWORDS WERE IN HER HEART – / BUT ONE WAS IN HER HAND.” – G.K. Chesterton, The Ballad of the White Horse
FUN FACT: I LOVE dad jokes.
CHRISTIAN CIMORELLI FRESHMAN | Diocese of Nashville Hometown | Franklin, TN
I was born in northern California to a beautiful family of what would be 11 children. I spent my childhood swimming, reading and playing with my siblings in the foothills and the ocean. We always went to Mass on Sunday, even if we had sunburns from a water polo tournament. I first heard the call of the Lord quietly and at a young age, but I did not listen until I began to pray I have since found great peace in the opportunity to discern a vocation to the priesthood, and I am so glad to be here. “DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT IN A RACE ALL THE RUNNERS COMPETE, BUT ONLY ONE RECEIVES THE PRIZE? SO RUN THAT YOU MAY OBTAIN IT.” – 1 Corinthians 9:24
FUN FACT: I made the Tennessee Swimming State Championship final with my younger brother and best friend in 2020.
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C H R I S T I A N CO RO N A SENIOR | Diocese of Tyler Hometown | Sulphur Springs, TX
Since I was a baby, I had an affinity for going to church. My grandmother would take me to church, and throughout the week I would bug her saying, “Mami, I want to go back to sing!” In my early years I think I knew that I had the desire to be a priest, but it wasn’t until my senior year of high school when I finally accepted my call into seminary while I was in adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament. In the three years since I have been here I have come to know that my heart truly burns to save souls. “BATTER MY HEART, THREE-PERSON’D GOD, FOR YOU AS YET BUT KNOCK, BREATHE, SHINE, AND SEEK TO MEND; THAT I MAY RISE AND STAND, O’ERTHROW ME, AND BEND.” – John Donne
FUN FACT: I now know English, Spanish, Latin and Greek.
B E N JA M I N C RO C K E R PRE-THEOLOGY I | Diocese of Corsicana Hometown | Corsicana, TX
Ever since I was a child, I have had a deep respect and love for the Church, and in particular the priesthood. Growing up I was very involved with events such as youth group and retreats, but when the priesthood was brought up, I was always very dismissive of the possibility. Through my time spent at daily Mass and adoration in college, I was able to build a true relationship with God and to discern his will for me. It was during a trip to Poland where I was able to visit the birthplace of Pope Saint John Paul II that I felt like God was urging me to say yes to him and enter seminary. “JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER.” – Hebrews 13:8
FUN FACT: I was born on a military base in Honolulu, Hawaii.
THE HOPE OF THE FLOCK
CO L I N D O E R I N G FRESHMAN | Diocese of Charleston Hometown | Bluffton, SC
My vocation story began in the summer after my freshman year of high school. I was privileged enough to go on a week-long youth ministry retreat called CLI (Christian Leadership Institute). While at the retreat, I was curious as to what God’s plans were for me later in life. It was then, while pondering this question during Adoration, that God placed on my heart an invitation to discover the diocesan priesthood. Throughout the rest of my years in high school, I grew to understand that the seminary was where I needed to be and to allow myself to be open to what God wills of me. “WE ARE NOT THE SUM OF OUR WEAKNESSES AND FAILURES; WE ARE THE SUM OF THE FATHER’S LOVE FOR US AND OUR REAL CAPACITY TO BECOME THE IMAGE OF HIS SON.” – St. John Paul the Great
FUN FACT: I can do a goat impersonation that will blow your socks off.
J OS E P H D O U G H E RT Y PRE-THEOLOGY II Diocese of Galveston-Houston Hometown | Irving, TX
My parents and community helped me to see the truth, richness and beauty of Christ and the faith since my childhood. However, I wasn’t ready to enter seminary when I finished high school: I trusted myself more than I trusted God and wanted to do things my way. That started to change during college and after, thanks to a few things–good friends, a more mature spiritual life, and honestly, coffee. When I started drinking coffee and realized how much it affected my perspective on things, I realized that I had to start trusting God more than myself. I learned that His will and His revelation are more reliable than I am. “IN THE TENDER COMPASSION OF OUR GOD, THE DAWN FROM ON HIGH SHALL BREAK UPON US, TO SHINE ON THOSE WHO DWELL IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH, AND TO GUIDE OUR FEET IN THE WAY OF PEACE.” – Luke 1:78-79
FUN FACT: Around when Hurricanes Harvey and Irma happened, I was working as an
insurance adjuster. While driving through Virginia I called my uncle to see if I could spend the night at his house, and I ended up living there for three months.
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JA R E D E A R N E S T SENIOR | Diocese of Tyler Hometown | Lindale, TX
I first considered the priesthood in a serious way when I was 14. During this time, I began learning the Church’s beautiful traditions. As a few years went by, I grew somewhat dubious of the idea and considered a family and a career; however, some years passed and priesthood continually returned to my mind as a possibility. After following some wise advice and the Holy Spirit, I entered seminary. It began and continues as an adventure that will, God willing, lead to the priesthood of Jesus Christ. “I WILL TAKE UP THE CHALICE OF SALVATION; AND I WILL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD…PRECIOUS IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD IS THE DEATH OF HIS SAINTS.” – Psalm 115:13,15
FUN FACT: Before seminary, I was studying criminal justice, working towards a law enforcement career.
K Y L E F L E TC H E R JUNIOR | Diocese of Dallas Hometown | Rockwall, TX
My vocation story begins when I was 7 years old. As a seminarian, Father James Yamauchi, now a Formation Advisor at Holy Trinity Seminary, showed the film “Fishers of Men” at my parish. After watching this, I felt the Lord calling me to the priesthood. However, as I got older, I focused on swimming. Despite success, something was missing in my life. Through obstacles placed before me, the Lord gently pursued me and I ultimately gave up swimming and decided to enter seminary. I have never been happier. “LOOK AT THE BIRDS IN THE SKY; THEY DO NOT SOW OR REAP, THEY GATHER NOTHING INTO BARNS, YET YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER FEEDS THEM. ARE YOU NOT MORE IMPORTANT THAN THEY?” – Matthew 6:26
FUN FACT: I enjoy woodworking.
THE HOPE OF THE FLOCK
J OS E P H F O N T JUNIOR | Diocese of Dallas Hometown | Aledo, TX
I first felt a calling to the priesthood when I was around eight or nine. My uncle, who at the time was in the Order of St. John, came to stay at our house with a number of his fellow religious. They were all so joyful and I wanted to emulate their piety and devotion to our Lord. This calling was further solidified through my devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I do not know if I will ever become a priest, but I do know that God will lead me to where I need to go. “TO FALL IN LOVE WITH GOD IS THE GREAT ROMANCE; TO SEEK HIM IS THE GREATEST ADVENTURE; TO FIND HIM, THE GREATEST HUMAN ACHIEVEMENT.” – St. Augustine of Hippo
FUN FACT: In the span of two years I had driver’s licenses from three different states: Texas, Colorado and California. I have spent way too much time at the DMV.
C H R I S TO P H E R H A B E R B E RG E R PRE-THEOLOGY I | Diocese of Austin Hometown | Wrightstown, NJ
Through the ups and downs of life, the Lord has always shown His love for me in putting me in places and moments to draw me closer to Himself. It started in New Jersey, growing up and going to Mass with my family and RE every week. And it continued attending Texas A&M and St. Mary’s Catholic Center, where my spiritual life flourished. And most recently it was working in youth ministry, sharing the faith with teens and experiencing parish ministry and spiritual fatherhood. And now it has led me to HTS, continuing to follow where the Lord leads. “JESUS SAID TO THEM, ‘COME, HAVE BREAKFAST.’ AND NONE OF THE DISCIPLES DARED TO ASK HIM, ‘WHO ARE YOU?’ BECAUSE THEY REALIZED IT WAS THE LORD.” – John 21:12
FUN FACT: I broke my pinky last year playing dodgeball.
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CHRISTIAN HAMRICK SENIOR | Diocese of Nashville Hometown | Nashville, TN
My call to the priesthood of Jesus Christ begins with the very thing the priest is set apart for: the Mass and the sacramental encounter with Christ in the Eucharist. While a student at Father Ryan High School, I began to attend daily Mass before school, Adoration during the week, and began receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly. This encounter with sacramental grace, along with developing a personal relationship with the chaplain and other solidly Catholic peers, enabled me to begin to hear more clearly the whisper of God. After three years in seminary formation, I can confidently say that I am drawn towards the priesthood now more than ever. “I HAD NO THOUGHT OF BRINGING YOU ANY OTHER KNOWLEDGE THAN THAT OF JESUS CHRIST, AND OF HIM CRUCIFIED.” – 1 Corinthians 2:2
FUN FACT: I have a twin brother who attends the Virginia Military Institute.
JACO B H A RT M A N JUNIOR | Diocese of Jefferson City Hometown | Holts Summit, MO
At a week-long service retreat during my junior year of high school is when I first heard the call to the priesthood. During adoration, I asked the Lord, “What do you want me to do with my life?” That is when the thought of the priesthood came up. I spent the next year trying to deny and repress my desire for the priesthood. Through a high school men’s group in Jefferson City called Frassati Fraternity, I opened my heart to the Lord and started honestly discerning God’s will. After a year of prayerful discernment, I was confident that the Lord was calling me to enter the seminary. “WE ARE NOT MADE FOR THIS WORLD BUT A HEAVENLY HOME. KEEP ON MOVIN’.” – Fr. Paul Clark
FUN FACT: I am the first seminarian from my parish.
THE HOPE OF THE FLOCK
A N D R E W H E N D E R S H OT T SENIOR | Diocese of Knoxville Hometown | Farragut, TN
I was blessed to begin altar serving at my home parish when I was 8 years old. It was during this time that I first felt called to the vocation of the priesthood. It was a privilege to witness the fidelity, ministry and selfless service of the parish priest. In these experiences, I cultivated a devotion for the Eucharist and the Sacraments. My desire to pursue the priesthood grew through prayer, parish ministry and my Catholic education. I decided to apply to seminary during my senior year of high school, entering Holy Trinity Seminary the following year. “JESUS, MEEK AND HUMBLE OF HEART, MAKE MY HEART LIKE YOURS.” – Sacred Heart Devotion
FUN FACT: I really enjoy playing sports, especially ping-pong, soccer and tennis.
MICHAEL INGRAM PRE-THEOLOGY I | Diocese of Dallas Hometown | Allen, TX
I come from a family of five. Growing up, I had the opportunity to live in nine states. While I was living in California, I met my high school youth minister, whose passionate witness to Christ in the Eucharist sparked my faith journey within the Church. From there, the Lord led me to become a missionary at the Pines Catholic Camp, discern a religious order, and serve teens as a youth minister at St. Jude in Allen. I now have the pleasure of giving the Lord my “Yes” and discerning a priestly vocation for the Diocese of Dallas. “AMEN, AMEN, I SAY TO YOU, UNLESS A GRAIN OF WHEAT FALLS TO THE GROUND AND DIES, IT REMAINS JUST A GRAIN OF WHEAT; BUT IF IT DIES, IT PRODUCES MUCH FRUIT.” – John 12:24
FUN FACT: I once slept in a field infested with spiders along with thousands of other people.
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I K EC H U K W U I W UJ I JUNIOR | Diocese of Dallas Hometown | Murphy, TX
I grew up always wanting to be a doctor or an engineer, a “doc-ineer” I would call it—a combination of both career choices. It wasn’t until the second grade when I was hospitalized with a severe illness and survived that I made the decision to choose the medical career path as a means to help those who were in a situation similar to the one in which I was in. However, in early January of 2019, I truly began hearing God’s call profoundly, and the thought of becoming a priest began to pester my mind to the point in which I couldn’t even concentrate on my schoolwork. It was then that I answered the call and chose to discern priesthood. “AMEN, AMEN I SAY TO YOU, WHOEVER BELIEVES IN ME WILL ALSO DO THE WORKS THAT I DO; AND GREATER WORKS THAN THESE WILL HE DO, BECAUSE I AM GOING TO THE FATHER.” – John 14:12
FUN FACT: I am very passionate about music.
JEFFREY JONES PRE-THEOLOGY I | Diocese of Austin and Co-Sponsorhip by Archdiocese for The Military Services Hometown | San Clemente, CA
My senior year of high school, I was baptized and confirmed into the Catholic Church. For undergraduate, I attended Baylor University and the Catholic community nourished my faith. While at Baylor, I studied International Studies and was commissioned as an Army officer in May 2020. I was first asked if I was discerning the priesthood in August of 2017; my response was, “No, but I’m open to it”. I reflected on my response and realized it was something I had never considered. As I continued to pray about the priesthood, God stirred desires within me that led me to entering seminary. “MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU, FOR POWER IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9a
FUN FACT: I have been to 30 countries.
THE HOPE OF THE FLOCK
MICHAEL KANE FRESHMAN | Diocese of Charleston Hometown | Morristown, NJ
I was born and raised in Morristown, NJ, and growing up I had always thought the priesthood looked like a pretty fulfilling job. After high school, I went to a community college in New Jersey and was majoring in musical theatre. I enjoyed it, but after a while, I realized that it was not for me. I moved to South Carolina and attended the University of South Carolina at Beaufort and majored in hospitality management, which is where I thought I was supposed to be. God had other plans. I felt the urge to do something more after about a year and started discerning the priesthood. I am not the holiest man in the world, but God uses us for different reasons. I have enjoyed my time in the seminary so far and am looking forward to finding out God’s true calling for my life. “LOVE YOUR ENEMIES AND PRAY FOR THOSE WHO PERSECUTE YOU.” – Matthew 6:44
FUN FACT: I have always loved musical theatre, and my favorite show is either Hamilton or Dear Evan Hanson.
M I C H A E L K E AT H L E Y PRE-THEOLOGY I | Diocese of Austin Hometown | Austin, TX
I had a sense that I wanted to enter into ministry even before I was Catholic. As a Protestant, I was part of several different groups over my adolescent and college years and sensed a small voice calling me to ministry several times. However, I could not answer the call because I had too many doubts about denominational differences. A few years ago, I heard the call to come home to the Catholic Church, and with that call came the call to the priesthood. I was received into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil in 2018. After a come-and-see to HTS in December 2019, I heard the Holy Spirit put in my heart very clearly that this was where He wanted me. My answer: “Be it done unto me according to thy word.” “BLESSED ARE YOU WHO BELIEVED THAT WHAT WAS SPOKEN TO YOU BY THE LORD WOULD BE FULFILLED.” – Luke 1:45
FUN FACT: I have lived in three dioceses in Texas, but I have only been Catholic in one.
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K E V I N K E L LY FRESHMAN | Diocese of Austin Hometown | Dripping Springs, TX
I have wanted to become a priest since I can remember. I played Mass when I was young and always loved to serve at the altar. This calling was felt through high school and even throughout dating. I was nervous in applying but after a wonderful retreat in the winter of 2019, I asked for the application. “SO FAITH BY ITSELF, IF IT HAS NO WORKS, IS DEAD.” – James 2:17
FUN FACT: I enjoy hunting.
SHANE KLIETHERMES SOPHOMORE | Diocese of Jefferson City Hometown | Loose Creek, MO
From a young age I have seen the Mass as something extraordinary, and I became very drawn to the Eucharist after receiving my First Holy Communion. When I started serving in late elementary school, I gained a great respect for the priests at my parish, which then sparked a curiosity of the priesthood. After attending many retreats during high school, I heard the Lord’s call to go to seminary, but He led me towards college first. During those two years, the Heavenly Father revealed His call in deeper and more validating ways to where I knew it was time to enter seminary. “FOR I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU, SAYS THE LORD, PLANS FOR WELFARE AND NOT FOR EVIL, TO GIVE YOU A FUTURE AND A HOPE.” – Jeremiah 29:11
FUN FACT: I have been an avid Dallas Cowboys fan since middle school, although I
was born and raised in Missouri. Thus, I think it’s no coincidence that the Lord brought me to the Dallas area for collegiate seminary.
THE HOPE OF THE FLOCK
C A M E RO N KO LO G I N C Z A K JUNIOR | Diocese of Austin Hometown | Round Rock, TX
I first started to think about the priesthood during Masses at my church. For a long time, over a year, I tried to run away from what God kept putting into my heart. The night of the senior retreat at my Catholic high school, I had a moment during Adoration where I decided to reach out and talk to one of my teachers, who was a former seminarian. I then continued on to Texas A&M, where the liturgy helped me to grow in my relationship with Christ and to trust him enough to follow him to seminary. “I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST, WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH.” – Philippians 4:13
FUN FACT: I enjoy nature photography.
A L E X A N D E R KOS H A K J I PRE-THEOLOGY II | Diocese of Dallas Hometown | Dallas, TX
I first felt a pull towards the priesthood when I was a freshman in high school. I distinctly remember getting home one day and being flooded with thoughts of the priesthood. It scared me, to say the least, and I soon managed to block it out with the help of my busy high school schedule. Then while I was a semester abroad in Rome, my heart was pulled harder than ever towards the priesthood, to the point where I had to let go; I was deeply unhappy resisting God’s invitation, and letting go unlocked great peace and rest for me. “ACCEPT WHATEVER BEFALLS YOU, IN CRUSHING MISFORTUNE BE PATIENT; FOR IN FIRE GOLD IS TESTED, AND WORTHY MEN IN THE CRUCIBLE OF HUMILIATION. TRUST GOD AND HE WILL HELP YOU; MAKE STRAIGHT YOUR WAYS AND HOPE IN HIM.” – Sirach 2:4-6
FUN FACT: I had the privilege of seeing St. John Vianney’s heart when it came to Washington, D.C. a few years ago.
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J OS H UA L A K E PRE-THEOLOGY I | Diocese of Austin Hometown | Spring Branch, TX
Growing up as a cradle Catholic, I never felt a call towards the priesthood. During my last couple of semesters at Texas A&M, I started frequenting the sacraments more often, implemented spiritual reading, and very profoundly explored the multifaceted depth and beauty of the Catholic Church. During the end of my last semester, God graced me with a very strong and unexpected aspiration to take intentional time for discernment, resulting in me moving to a discernment house in Austin after graduation. A short couple of months after living there, I was confirmed in my call to enter seminary. “TO LOSE ONE’S WAY IS NOTHING MORE THAN THE GIVING UP OF PRAYER. WHOEVER DOES NOT PRAY DOES NOT NEED THE DEVIL TO LEAD HIM OFF THE PATH. HE WILL THROW HIMSELF INTO HELL.” – St. Teresa of Avila
FUN FACT: I am related to St. Pope John Paul II through my Polish great-great grandparents.
J U D E LU GA R I SOPHOMORE | Diocese of Austin Hometown | Taylor, TX
I originally lived near Detroit, Michigan, until my family moved to Taylor, Texas, in 2009. I was homeschooled my entire life and began to seriously discern a call to the priesthood when I entered high school. This discernment was fostered by the Catholic homeschool program I was using and by the Catholic youth conferences and retreats I attended with my parish youth group. After high school, I spent the next year living at a discernment house in Austin, Texas, while attending community college classes. Praise God, I experienced much formation and was accepted to seminary during this year. “WHEN THEY HAD FINISHED BREAKFAST, JESUS SAID TO SIMON PETER, ‘SIMON, SON OF JOHN, DO YOU LOVE ME MORE THAN THESE?’ HE SAID TO HIM, ‘YES LORD; YOU KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU.’ JESUS SAID TO HIM, ‘FEED MY LAMBS.’” – John 21:15
FUN FACT: I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve had “Hey Jude” sung to me as a greeting.
THE HOPE OF THE FLOCK
JEREMY MANESS SENIOR | Diocese of Dallas Hometown | Frisco, TX
I first encountered the faith at Christ the King Catholic School from kindergarten to 4th grade. Upon moving to Frisco, and a new parish, I initially struggled to find God. However, receiving the Holy Spirit in Confirmation awakened me to new life in Christ. I started volunteering with my youth group and quickly realized that God had given me the gifts and the will to serve his Church. By my senior year, that will had led me to the joy and peace of Holy Trinity Seminary, where I’ve spent the last three years. “SET ME AS A SEAL UPON YOUR HEART, AS A SEAL UPON YOUR ARM; FOR LOVE IS STRONG AS DEATH, LONGING IS FIERCE AS SHEOL. ITS ARROWS ARE ARROWS OF FIRE, FLAMES OF THE DIVINE. DEEP WATERS CANNOT QUENCH LOVE, NOR RIVERS SWEEP IT AWAY.” – Song of Songs 8:6-7
FUN FACT: I have climbed the tallest mountain in Utah.
B R I A N M C N AU G H TO N PRE-THEOLOGY I Diocese of Austin Hometown | Austin, TX
I was blessed to be born into a Catholic family and attend Catholic school from Pre-K through high school. When I went to Texas A&M, I attended a few retreats and met faithful friends that helped me believe that God loves me more than I could ever imagine. When I believed this good news, my life was changed! After a few years of praying and going to Mass daily, I still desired something more – and I thought it may be a call to priesthood. I connected with my vocation director and after a year of seriously discerning, I entered seminary. “AS THE FATHER HAS LOVED ME, SO HAVE I LOVED YOU; ABIDE IN MY LOVE.” – John 15:9
FUN FACT: I have the entire 15th chapter of the Gospel of John memorized. It is my favorite bible chapter!
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I SA I A H M I N K E SENIOR | Diocese of Austin Hometown | Bryan, TX
I started seriously discerning the priesthood in high school. I had begun to read and know the faith for myself, and as I did, the thought of priesthood seemed to naturally arise in prayer. I took active steps to explore it further, and my discernment on retreats only confirmed and strengthened the call. So, after graduating high school I entered seminary in fall of 2017. I have dearly loved my time here at Holy Trinity Seminary and the University of Dallas, and God has used this time to bless me in ways I could not have expected. I am excited to be a senior, and I am looking forward to the next stage of the journey after this year. “I HAVE SAID THESE THINGS TO YOU, THAN IN ME YOU MAY HAVE PEACE. IN THE WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TRIBULATION. BUT TAKE HEART; I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD.” – John 16:33
FUN FACT: This summer I won a parish talent show for singing like Johnny Cash.
M I C H A E L N A J VA R FRESHMAN | Diocese of Galveston-Houston Hometown | Tomball, TX
I was born in College Station but raised in the Houston area. I first began to feel a desire to be a priest at a young age while altar serving at my parish. This call then grew much stronger throughout high school. As I became closer to God and grew to love Him more and more, He continued to lead me on the path towards seminary. In this discernment, God granted me peace and joy in following Him. I look forward to continue on this joyful walk with Him. “THEN HE SAID TO THE DISCIPLE, ‘BEHOLD YOUR MOTHER!’ AND FROM THAT HOUR THE DISCIPLE TOOK HER INTO HIS HOME.” – John 19:27
FUN FACT: I broke my wrist trying to do a wall flip this summer in my second week of seminary.
THE HOPE OF THE FLOCK
GAG E N E I S E N FRESHMAN | Diocese of Jefferson City Hometown | Lewistown, MO
My vocation story starts around my junior year of high school. I had a really influential, young priest at my parish for about two years. I had been an altar server since about sixth grade and this priest really drew me closer to that aspect of Mass. It made me love the idea of serving God’s people in that way. So, this priest and many other priests, family members and friends drew me closer to the Catholic faith and after one year at a secular college I decided I would enter the seminary to discern God’s will in my life. “FOR I KNOW WELL THE PLANS I HAVE IN MIND FOR YOU— ORACLE OF THE LORD—PLANS FOR YOUR WELFARE AND NOT FOR WOE, SO AS TO GIVE YOU A FUTURE OF HOPE.” – Jeremiah 29:11
FUN FACT: I learned to play the alto saxophone when I was in sixth grade and have played for eight years.
JAV I E R PA L AC I OS , J R . PRE-THEOLOGY II Diocese of Corpus Christi Hometown | Corpus Christi, TX
I started to discern my vocation in the last semester of my undergraduate curriculum. It was after reading and meditating on Isaiah 43:1-7, that my journey to truly find out what I ought to be in this life started. After three years of discernment and an increasing pull and attraction to the priesthood, I chose to follow the calling of Our Blessed Lord and entered seminary. “DO NOT THINK THAT I HAVE COME TO ABOLISH THE LAW OR THE PROPHETS. I HAVE COME NOT TO ABOLISH BUT TO FULFILL.” – Matthew 5:17
FUN FACT: Our Spiritual Father, Saint Joseph is a saint that I have an ever growing devotion towards.
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REYES SOLIS JUNIOR | Diocese of Charleston Hometown | Greenville, SC
I was born in Mexico and moved to the United States in 2004. The oldest of four children, I was raised as a Catholic in Greenville, South Carolina, and attended Mass regularly. My vocation story began when I was 12 years old and began serving as an altar boy. During high school I took a trip to Holy Trinity Seminary, which I enjoyed. I applied soon after my trip and entered seminary after high school. “THAT’S WHEN THIS FEELING CAME OVER ME LIKE A WARM BLANKET. I KNEW, SOMEHOW, THAT I HAD TO STAY ALIVE. SOMEHOW, I HAD TO KEEP BREATHING, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO REASON TO HOPE.” – Chuck Nolan in Cast Away
FUN FACT: I always wanted to be a standup comedian.
W YAT T PA R LOW SOPHOMORE | Diocese of Austin Hometown | College Station, TX
My vocation story begins just after high school, shortly before enrolling at Texas A&M University. I began to realize that the predispositions and plans that I had for myself were unsatisfying and causing a lack of joy. It was through diligent prayer that I was able to invite the Lord to allow His perfect will into my life. It was this invitation that led me to discern entering seminary. Now, with the constant help of God’s grace, I discern a vocation to the priesthood with great joy and confidence. “AS THE FATHER LOVES ME, SO I ALSO LOVE YOU. REMAIN IN MY LOVE.” – John 15:9
FUN FACT: I have been skydiving twice.
THE HOPE OF THE FLOCK
MICHAEL RHODES PRE-THEOLOGY II | Diocese of Austin Hometown | College Station, TX
Before entering seminary I spent 11 years in the restaurant management business. I would have classified myself as a non-practicing Christian. Questions about Mary’s role in the Catholic Church always kept me away. One evening I pulled a rosary that my grandmother had given me out of my desk drawer and began researching our Blessed Mother’s role in the Church. Our Blessed Mother led me to the teaching on the real presence of the Eucharist. I’m living proof that Mary leads us to her son, Jesus Christ. My heart felt called to the priesthood at the first Mass I attended after I found out about the Eucharist. At that Mass, for the first time in my life, I knew why I was kneeling at consecration. “HE HAS PUT INTO MY HEART A MARVELOUS LOVE FOR THE FAITHFUL ONES WHO DWELL IN HIS LAND.” – Psalm 16
FUN FACT: I enjoy coffee, fountain pens, and writing letters.
R E E D RO B I N S O N JUNIOR | Diocese of Nashville Hometown | Nashville, TN
I grew up with the desire to be a priest, even to the point where I told one of my aunts when I was young that I wanted to be the pope! (I have no such desire now.) Growing up I served Mass frequently and fell in love with the Mass. Once I made my faith my own and formed a personal relationship with Jesus Christ it became evident that He wanted me to enter the seminary after high school. “LIFE’S TOUGH, BUT IT’S TOUGHER WHEN YOU’RE STUPID.” – John Wayne
FUN FACT: I had a mullet for approximately 36 hours this summer.
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A N G E L RO D R I G U E Z PRE-THEOLOGY I Diocese of Galveston-Houston Hometown | Spring, TX
My upbringing was blessed with a family that brought me through the Sacraments. After a time away from the Church, through a group of students at Texas A&M and our Blessed Mother, I encountered our Lord Jesus my senior year of college. From there I wanted to serve Him with everything and became a missionary with FOCUS for three years. During that time Jesus and our Mother moved my heart to follow Him in the priesthood. I resisted for a while, but after surrendering to His call, my heart was set free. “WHAT ELSE HAVE I IN HEAVEN BUT YOU? APART FROM YOU I WANT NOTHING ON EARTH. MY BODY AND MY HEART FAINT FOR JOY; GOD IS MY POSSESSION FOREVER.” – Psalm 73:25-26
FUN FACT: Graduating from Texas A&M and serving at UT-Austin as a missionary, I controversially love and represent both universities.
J E S S E SAU C E D O SOPHOMORE | Diocese of Austin Hometown | Pflugerville, TX
My vocation story starts in my sophomore year of high school. I first felt a calling during a discernment retreat called Quo Vadis which means, “Where are you going?” This saying stuck in my head, yet I knew hardly anything about the priesthood. I dodge the calling throughout my junior year and most of my senior year. I finally began seriously looking into the priesthood at the end of my senior year. I attended a second retreat called the Heart of Jesus. It was there that I made the commitment to discern full time, and I moved into the Saint Charles Borromeo House of Discernment in my diocese. I lived there for a year and the call became more and more clear. I attended the Heart of Jesus retreat once more and firmly committed to seminary, requesting the application from my vocation director immediately following the retreat. “BUT HE SAID TO ME, ‘MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU, FOR POWER IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS.’ THEREFORE, I AM CONTENT WITH WEAKNESSES, INSULTS, HARDSHIPS, PERSECUTIONS AND CONSTRAINTS, FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST; FOR WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN I AM STRONG.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9a,10
FUN FACT: I come from a devoutly Catholic family of 13 total (mom, dad and 11 children: 7 daughters and 4 sons). I am the 6th oldest child but the youngest son.
THE HOPE OF THE FLOCK
E R I C M I TC H E L L S C H U M A N N PRE-THEOLOGY I Diocese of Galveston-Houston Hometown | Kerrville, TX
I was attracted to the priesthood as a child; however, I put it far from my mind in my teenage years while distracted by girls. My faith remained important to me, particularly the Holy Eucharist. After I graduated from Texas A&M, I began teaching catechism at Notre Dame parish in Kerrville. This caused me to grow in devotion to the Faith. After law school, I began my legal career in Houston, eventually opening my own firm, but something remained missing. After four years, I finally asked the Lord what he wanted for me, and I have not looked back. “IF ANYONE WISHES TO COME AFTER ME, HE MUST DENY HIMSELF AND TAKE UP HIS CROSS DAILY AND FOLLOW ME.” – Luke 9:23
FUN FACT: I studied abroad in law school in Innsbruck, Austria for a summer.
WILLIAM STIVERS PRE-THEOLOGY I | Diocese of Austin Hometown | Austin, TX
My vocation story is one of God persistently knocking. I am a graduate of Wyoming Catholic College entering my 1st year of pre-theology at Holy Trinity. I am the oldest of four siblings, two brothers and one sister. I was raised Catholic and my parents homeschooled me. In high school I started going to discernment dinners at St. William’s in Round Rock. During my senior year at Wyoming Catholic College, I started the application process to diocesan seminary in Austin but decided to take a year off after graduation to work as an EMT. However, as He had done throughout high school and college, God continued to knock at the door to my heart. After six months in Wyoming, I decided to move back to Austin, and after visiting Holy Trinity I finished the application. “AND NOT ONLY SO; BUT WE GLORY ALSO IN TRIBULATIONS, KNOWING THAT TRIBULATION WORKETH PATIENCE; AND PATIENCE TRIAL; AND TRIAL HOPE; AND HOPE COFOUNDETH NOT: BECAUSE THE CHARITY OF GOD IS POURED FORTH IN OUR HEARTS, BY THE HOLY GHOST, WHO IS GIVEN TO US.” – Romans 5:3-5
FUN FACT: As an EMT up in Wyoming, I helped directly save a young girl’s life after a horrible ATV crash and ended up in the local news.
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P R E S TO N T H O M P S O N SENIOR | Diocese of Nashville Hometown | Franklin, TX
My vocation story is a story of six saints. Since kindergarten, I have had the same six best friends. We went to school together and grew in our faith together. Each of us went on a fantastic retreat in Nashville called SEARCH and then joined a discernment group called Melchizedek Project. With encouragement from our chaplain, seminary was a realistic possibility for us. After high school two of the six went to seminary, however I went to a college in Alabama to play sports. After one year of college, I felt God leading me to apply for seminary. “BUT HOW CAN THEY CALL ON HIM IN WHOM THEY HAVE NOT BELIEVED? AND HOW CAN THEY BELIEVE IN HIM OF WHOM THEY NOT HEARD? AND HOW CAN THEY HEAR WITHOUT SOMEONE TO PREACH? AND HOW CAN PEOPLE PREACH UNLESS THEY ARE SENT?” – Romans 10:14-15
FUN FACT: I have played lacrosse for over 10 years.
M I C H A E L R E Y E S TO R R EG OSA PRE-THEOLOGY I | Diocese of Austin Hometown | Sugarland, TX
When I was 12, my uncle got sick with cancer. I witnessed a parish priest minister to my uncle until his passing. It was that experience that first drew me to the priesthood. I ignored this call until I arrived at Texas A&M University. I felt unfulfilled by my studies, so I decided to embrace my love of the Church. God invited me to spend a summer of mission in Guatemala and Oklahoma. In those places, I learned about an Oklahoma priest, Blessed Stanley Rother, martyred for his love for the Guatemalan people. Afterwards, I applied to become a seminarian, inspired to become a saint like Blessed Stanley Rother and to serve God’s church as His priest. “PETER WAS GRIEVED BECAUSE HE SAID TO HIM THE THIRD TIME, ‘DO YOU LOVE ME?’ AND HE SAID TO HIM, ‘LORD, YOU KNOW EVERYTHING; YOU KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU’.” – John 21:17
FUN FACT: My Aggie ring is a 3rd class relic of Blessed Stanley Rother.
THE HOPE OF THE FLOCK
JAV I E R VA L L E S , J R . JUNIOR | Diocese of El Paso Hometown | El Paso, TX
When I was a kid I wasn’t the best Christian, but then again who is? I remember running up and down the church and as a teen I remember falling asleep at Mass. All this changed when I attended my first retreat and started to experience life in ministry. At the time of my calling I was a college student and realizing I wasn’t where I wanted to be, so I dropped out of college to enter the work force and find myself. During this time I found that I enjoyed not only ministry life but also the life of service and charity. I decided to join the seminary after that, and my attendance at World Youth Day in Poland confirmed that this was the right decision. “’MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU, MY POWER IS MADE PERFECT IN MY WEAKNESS.’ THEREFORE, I WILL BOAST ALL THE MORE GLADLY ABOUT MY WEAKNESSES, SO THAT CHRIST’S POWER MAY REST ON ME. THAT IS WHY, FOR CHRIST’S SAKE, I DELIGHT IN WEAKNESSES, IN INSULTS, IN HARDSHIPS, IN PERSECUTIONS, IN DIFFICULTIES. FOR WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN I AM STRONG.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9,10
FUN FACT: Music has always been an important part of my life, and it always will be. I especially enjoy playing the guitar, singing and dancing.
J OS E C A R LOS V E R A PRE-THEOLOGY I Diocese of Galveston-Houston Hometown | Katy, TX
I first felt the call to the priesthood a couple of years after graduating college while working as a software engineer. At first I tried to forget about it, but it kept coming back. Eventually I saw that I had to be open to His will without holding anything back and decided to apply to seminary. The spiritual growth, joy and peace I’ve had since then has shown me that He is calling me to be a seminarian and pursue the priesthood. “KEEP US TODAY, LORD, FROM ALL SIN. HAVE MERCY ON US, LORD, HAVE MERCY. LORD, SHOW US YOUR LOVE AND MERCY; FOR WE PUT OUR TRUST IN YOU. IN YOU, LORD, IS OUR HOPE; AND WE SHALL NEVER HAVE HOPE IN VAIN.” – from the Te Deum
FUN FACT: I enjoy folding modular origami.
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THE HOPE OF THE FLOCK
NICHOLAS WEISS SENIOR | Diocese of Dallas Hometown | Grand Prairie, TX
I have been drawn to priesthood since I was around 10 years old. My family was very active in my home parish, and I always loved spending time at church. I was very involved in youth group and attended the Pines Catholic Camp every summer. The great Catholics I was around showed me the joy of following Christ. I attended daily Mass often which continued to draw me deeper in love with the Eucharist. Through these experiences and through prayer the Lord gradually led me to enter seminary, and it has been the greatest decision of my life. “DO NOT FEAR, FOR I HAVE REDEEMED YOU. I HAVE CALLED YOU BY NAME. YOU ARE MINE.” - Isaiah 43:1
FUN FACT: On a backpacking trip with some other seminarians, I got lost in the woods of Utah for 7 hours.
Z A K Z A P L E TA L JUNIOR | Diocese of Dallas Hometown | Dallas, TX
I have grown up Catholic my whole life, but I did not start thinking about the priesthood until my senior year of high school. Discernment surprised me for sure, but ultimately revealed the deep longings of my heart. What drove me to consider and eventually follow the vocation was a desire to serve other people in a selfless way. By further committing to a life of discipleship, the motivation has increased even more, inspiring me to help other people find the peace and joy of the faith. “JUST SO, THE SON OF MAN DID NOT COME TO BE SERVED BUT TO SERVE AND TO GIVE HIS LIFE AS A RANSOM FOR MANY.” - Matthew 20:28
FUN FACT: I once turned a light pole on by running into it on accident.
SEMINARIAN PRAYER
SEMINARIAN PRAYER HEAVENLY FATHER, IN YOUR GREAT LOVE FOR US YOU PROVIDE SHEPHERDS FOR YOUR PEOPLE, SHEPHERDS WHOSE HEARTS ARE CONFORMED TO THE HEART OF YOUR OWN BELOVED SON, THE GOOD SHEPHERD. HEAR OUR PRAYERS AND RAISE UP WORTHY MINISTERS FOR YOUR CHURCH, ARDENT YET GENTLE HERALDS OF YOUR GOSPEL. LOOK WITH KINDNESS ON HOLY TRINITY SEMINARY AND BLESS ITS WORK. THROUGH YOUR HOLY SPIRIT, SHAPE AND FORM THE SEMINARIANS OF HOLY TRINITY SEMINARY TO SEEK NOT TO BE SERVED BUT TO SERVE THEIR BROTHERS AND SISTERS, TO BE EFFECTIVE IN ACTION, GENTLE IN MINISTRY, AND CONSTANT IN PRAYER. WE ASK THIS THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, OUR PRIEST, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU IN THE UNITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD, FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN. 43
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS & DONORS
SEMINARY SPONSORS
SPES GREGIS SPONSORS
Susan and Pat Brosnahan Marge and Joe Giangiulio* Norma and Harry Longwell* Jan and Thom Schliem
Barbara and Brad Camp* The Catholic Foundation June and Troy Cooper Mary Catherine and Don Huffines* Bishop Greg Kelly Rich Kelly Brenda and Larry Lenzen* Megan and David Martinez* Chris and Joe Popolo St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Mayra and Jeff Thompson*
FORMATION SPONSORS Isabel and John Campbell* Georgia and Marc Lyons Minda and John Miller Melissa and Rick Sapio* Michele and John Stephens
VOCATION SPONSORS Anonymous Josie and Henry Baker Lynn and Win Bell Sue and Bill Cicherski* Kay Hogan Maureen and Pierre Koshakji* Annette and Kent Lake Dorothy and John O’Dwyer Mary and Bill Sladek* St. Rita Parish Joanie and Tom Stephens
BENEFIT SPONSORS Mary Ellen Flynn Therese and Bill Frank Alice and Frank Hernandez Bev Kosco Kris and Matt Kramer* Theresa and Dick Martter* Laurie and David Peterman* Theresa and Michael Sinacola St. Joseph Parish, Richardson St. Jude Chapel Lucia and Jerry Welch
PLEASE REMEMBER HOLY TRINITY SEMINARY IN YOUR WILL OR LIVING TRUST. *In honor of our Honorary Co-Chairs, Marge and Joe Giangiulio and Melissa and Rick Sapio, gifts from their fellow Metro Serra Club members and friends are denoted with an asterisk.
SPONSORS & DONORS
SEMINARIAN SPONSORS Michelle and Stephen Bennett* Bishop Lynch High School Catholic Daughters Our Lady of the Snow Suzanne and Robin & Suzanne Delcambre Maureen Doering Christine and David Ehrhart Carol Hagan / The Vince Hagan Co.* In His Image Counseling and Psychiatry Centers
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DONORS Janis and Bob Andres* Amelia and Noel Arienza Bryce Baumann Rhonda and David Becker Carol and Robert Besch Mary Bickel* Cecilia and Calvin Colbert Gabrielle and Paul Comeaux* Sunny and Peter D’Apice* Mercedes Daley* Patricia and Joseph Farinacci Kathy and Earle Gilbride* Cindy and Mike Grimshaw* Susan and Rich Grygier* Rachel and Ryan Haas* Maureen and Joe Hafertepe* Charlotte and Donald Hart* Kathy and Michael Havel Pat and Tom Kiernan* Anne and Dennis Lauzon* Ann and Jerry Lerner* Lou Ann and T.V. Mangelsdorf Ronnie Messina* Janet Metzler* Sharon Mitchell* Ginger and Frank Morrone* Father Russ Mower Molly Murray* Sylvia and Jaime Najera* Sally and Ray Neal*
AUCTION DONORS Alex Koshakji Melissa and Rick Sapio Audrey and Dan Tinker Sponsor listing as of October 14, 2020. We regret omissions due to print deadline.
Gerri Noonan* Virgene and Pat O’Brien* Luis Payan Barbara and Michael Pazzaglini Frank Rauscher* James Reid Joan Russell* Susan and Andy Smolenski* St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Lancaster St. Jude Parish Judy and Gary Stanley* Shelley and Richard Stanzel Susan and Tom Stanzel Julie and JP Styskal Tiffany and Chris Surran* Deanne and Thomas Swierc Rosemary Tarangioli Mary Ann Timm* John Vallala* Shirley Vilfordi Margaret Wall Eleanor and Don Wetzel* Judith and Richard Wood* Tish and Tom Yoxall
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2020 S T. J O H N V I A N N E Y AWA R D
The St. John Vianney Award, named after the patron saint of parish priests, is the highest honor bestowed by Holy Trinity Seminary. Instituted in 2018, it is awarded to individuals who have been outstanding in their longtime support of the seminary. In recognition of and gratitude for their extraordinary giving from the heart, Holy Trinity Seminary bestows on Sue and Bill Cicherski the St. John Vianney Award on October 23, 2020. SUE AND BILL CICHERSKI
HOLY TRINITY SEMINARY | PAST BOARD MEMBERS HOLY TRINITY SEMINARY | 1ST HONORARY CO-CHAIRS OF THE SEMINARIAN DINNER (2004) TRINITARIAN AUXILIARY | FOUNDING MEMBER (SUE) SERRA CLUB | MEMBERS | 75 YEARS COMBINED SERRA INTERNATIONAL | PAST PRESIDENTS PONTIFICAL NORTH AMERICAN COLLEGE | COUNCIL OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT | FORMER MEMBERS DIOCESE OF DALLAS SCHOOL BOARD | FORMER PRESIDENT (SUE) CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF DALLAS | FORMER PRESIDENT (BILL)
EXTENDS SINCERE GRATITUDE TO
HONORARY CO-CHAIRS MARGE AND JOE
GIANGIULIO MELISSA AND RICK
SAPIO
The Most Reverend
EDWARD J. BURNS Bishop of Dallas
The Most Reverend
J. DOUGLAS DESHOTEL Bishop of Lafayette
The Most Reverend
GREG KELLY
Auxiliary Bishop of Dallas
HOLYTRINITYSEMINARY.ORG