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Seminarian Biographies

Christopher Aubuchon

Anton Bauer

David Bauer

Alan Brown

Jason Doke

Francis Doyle

Christopher Fechtel

Matthew Flatley

Colin Franklin

James Galbraith

Anthony Rinaldo

Matthew Reinkemeyer

Dylan Schrader

Anthony Viviano

	Name: Christopher Aubuchon Hometown: Hermann, MO Home Parish: St. George Seminary: Conception Seminary College
Prior to entering the seminary Attended Hermann High School and graduated in 2006. Enjoy most about the seminary I thoroughly enjoy my class. They are so nice and kind to me. I am most excited to learn about my call, and if this is what God really wants for me. Reason for entering the seminary My decision to come to the seminary was influenced by my parish, family, and my friends. They asked if I had ever thought about going to the seminary. I really started to think about my call in life. I was also told that I have talents that the priesthood could use, like my people skills. I made an effort in prayer to ask for the path that I am supposed to follow and the answer I received was to come to the seminary.

	Name: Anton Bauer Hometown: Rolla, MO Home Parish: St. Patrick’s Seminary: Conception Seminary College
Prior to entering the seminary Worked at a local restaurant Enjoy most about the seminary Reason for entering the seminary I feel that this is what God wants me to do. I know that the road to the priesthood will not be easy but it is something I feel strongly about. I have opened my heart to the idea and am letting God guide me through this.

	Name: David Bauer Hometown: Rolla, MO Home Parish: St. Patrick’s Seminary: Conception Seminary College
Prior to entering the seminary Attended Rolla Technical Institute for drafting. Enjoy most about the seminary Reason for entering the seminary Attended a Stuebenville retreat in Springfield, MO. While there began to rethink becoming an architect and and started to think about the priesthood. Spoke with his parish priest and made arrangements to enter the seminary.

	Name: Alan Brown Hometown: St. Louis, but now refer to Moberly as my home Home Parish: St. Pius X Seminary: Conception Seminary College
Prior to entering the seminary The year before I entered seminary I was celebrating my 27th year as an employee of a company called Watlow Columbia in central Missouri which is a manufacturer of high temperature ceramic fiber heaters that are used in such industries as scientific research, Audi the automobile manufacturer, lazer cintering processes, microchip processing, etc. Enjoy most about the seminary My apostolic assignments and fellowship with my peers are what I enjoy most from my seminary experience followed closely by the teachers, spiritual directors and floor chaplains all of whom give 110% of their effort to help us discern and/or attain what is God’s will for each of us. I do have to say that my theology and philosophy courses are great, but the general academic courses that are required at every college are my least liked although they are a necessary part of the process and what the Church requires.My favorite thing that I have learned while in seminary is that I must continue to let God out of that little mental box that I had placed Him in for many years. He is far bigger, more exciting and LOVING than I ever gave Him credit for. Reason for entering the seminary As you have read, priesthood was not my first choice for a vocation. I enjoyed my job very much, was very good at it, and never tired of it. I had left the church for about 20 years, simply not going, and not giving God much thought even though I had a good Catholic upbringing. I was caught up in worldly things, but then out of desperation, about the year 1996, I wanted to know if there was more to life. So, over time I started to seek God once again through prayer and for some reason I got the urge to read the Bible, Genesis through Exodus, quite a daunting challenge since the Bible is such a big book, not at all like those dime store novels. God then used this to create in me a great hunger for Him and out of His great Wisdom and Mercy He answered my prayers by slowly opening up my eyes and my mind to His truth. The truth that will set us all free if we but humble ourselves and let Him set us free. At first I didn’t know just how to respond to this. I first thought about monastic life, and through the course of time I visited the Holy land Franciscans in D.C., then the Benedictines in Subiaco, Arkansas. Then something told me to try for diocesan priesthood.

	Name: Jason Doke Hometown: Columbia, MO Home Parish: St. Thomas More, Columbia, MO Seminary: Conception Seminary College
Prior to entering the seminary Reason forentering the seminary I had thought about the priesthood for awhile. I went to two World Youth Days: Toronto and Germany. On the way to Germany we made a side trip to Rome. It was during my time in Europe that I decided to become a priest.

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	Name: Francis Doyle Hometown: Centertown, MO Home Parish: St. Martin, Jefferson City, MO Seminary: Kenrick-Glennon
Prior to entering the seminary Worked at KRCG-TV in videography and editing Enjoy most about being a seminarian Developing a better understanding of Church teaching. Reason for entering the seminary Answered God's call later in life. Realized that God was gently and lovingly asking him to serve Him and is honored and willing to answer the call.

	Name: Christopher Fechtel Hometown: Westphalia, MO Home Parish: St. Joseph, Westphalia, MO Seminary: St. Lawrence High School Seminary
Prior to entering the seminary Enjoy most about being a seminarian Reason for entering the seminary Realized that God will always be there for him. Also being a part of the priesthood was being part of something extraordinary and allows him to be happy with himself and others.

	Name: Matthew Flatley Hometown: St. Louis Home Parish: St. Francis Xavier "College" Church, Seminary: Sacred Heart School of Theology
Prior to entering the seminary Living and working at Assumption Abbey, a Cistercian or "Trappist" Monastery in Ava, MO, which is in Southwestern Missouri. Enjoy most about the seminary I enjoy the communal life here at the Seminary as there are men from all over the world and the Liturgies are very moving.While I am here, I hope to learn more about the sacramental life of the church and I have always wanted to learn some Latin! Reson for entering the seminary I entered the Seminary for many reasons, after much soul searching and spiritual direction, but primarily because I have come to believe it is God's will for me. I hope to live a life that models Gospel Values and in service to others.

	Name: Colin Franklin Hometown: Rolla, MO Home Parish: St. Patrick’s Seminary: Conception Seminary College
Prior to entering seminary Attending the University of Missouri-Rolla. I graduated in May 2006 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Enjoy most about the seminary There is a lot to enjoy at seminary, and I'm not sure if I can pick just one thing. The spirituality, brotherhood, and overall focus on religion are all great things here. It is nice to live in an environment where religion is not only an acceptable discussion piece, but is the central theme. My favorite things to learn in seminary are the history and theology of liturgy. Both in and out of class, there is an effort to give the students a deep appreciation for the liturgy. Reason for entering the seminary I came to the seminary because I could not run from God's calling anymore. I had thought about the seminary back in high school but was terrified that God might mean for me to be a priest. Even going to college could not rid me of the feeling that I was ignoring what God wanted me to do. I eventually gave it some serious thought, decided it would be best for me to attend the seminary, and have not regretted a moment of it.

	Name: James Galbraith Hometown: Holts Summit Home Parish: St. Peter's Seminary: Conception Seminary College
Prior to entering the seminary High school student/ Enjoy most about seminary Christ’s constant presence in the Blessed Sacrament. I enjoy the academics a lot. My favorite class is Latin. Reason for entering the seminary I began considering the priesthood when I was about five years old. I was greatly inspired by the example of my parish priest. Two things in particular impressed me about him. He evinced great reverence for the sacraments, especially for the Eucharist, and was immensely joyful in his service as a diocesan priest. You could tell this guy loved being a Roman Catholic priest! I was attracted to this even at a young age. I continued to consider the priesthood as I grew older. I received a great deal of support and encouragement from my pastor and from my parents. When I was fourteen, I began feeling that God was calling me to the diocesan priesthood. I became increasingly convinced as I continued through high school, and so applied to the Diocese of Jefferson City.

	Name: Louis Nelen Hometown: Jefferson City, MO Home Parish: St. Joseph Cathedral Seminary: Sacred Heart School of Theology
Prior to entering the seminary Enjoy most about seminary Reason for entering the seminary The priesthood gives him an opportunity to assist others through the knowledge and abilities obtained throughout the formation process.

	Name: Nicholas Reid Hometown: Clayton, MO Home Parish: Cathedral Bascilica, St. Louis Seminary: Theological College
Prior to entering the seminary Worked at St. Louis University as a research assistant. Enjoy most about seminary Reason for entering the seminary The idea of the priesthood persisted throughout his life. During his time at St. Louis University he was able to discern, openly and honestly, his call to the priesthood.

	Name: Anthony Rinaldo Hometown: Flagstaff, AZ Home Parish: San Francisco De Asis, Flagstaff, AZ Seminary: Sacred Heart School of Theology
Prior to entering the seminary Worked in the State of Arizona National Guard Enjoy most about seminary Reason for entering the seminary Convinced of God's never-ending love and his deep love for the Church, he choose to answer the call to the priesthood. His greatest joy in life is helping other people and it is in the priesthood that he finds true peace.

	Name: Matthew Reinkemeyer Hometown: Syracuse, MO Home Parish: St. Andrew Seminary: Conception Seminary College
Prior to entering the seminary I was in high school enjoying life as a senior. I played football and baseball and was very involved in school activities and clubs such as FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes), FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), and SADD (Students Against Disastrous Decisions). I was involved in CYO and CCD. Over the summer I attended ChristPower retreat and worked several jobs including farm hand and roofer. I enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Enjoy most about seminary I mostly enjoy the atmosphere. Everything from the people on your floor, to the teachers, to good times in the student union, to community prayer, and chances to serve in the community. It presents me with the best environment to discern God’s will for my life and especially in the context of whether or not I am called to the priesthood. The best thing I have learned here was not in any class. It was right here in the dorms and in the student union. It was in these places that I learned how even though all of us feel that God may have a call for us to the priesthood, we are all very different. We are just as different from each other as any other group of college students. It just so happens that we are all Catholic and discerning God’s will for our lives. Reason for entering the seminary I often tell people it wasn’t just one thing even though that’s what I wanted. I wanted God to hit me with a baseball bat that said go to the seminary, instead I got a whole bunch of toothpicks. Many people told me that I might make a good priest. I saw qualities that led me to consider it such as a desire to share my faith, help lead souls, and live a life of service. So was there one big thing that happened? No, but a pile of toothpicks was laying at my feet and here I am.

	Name: Dylan Schrader Hometown: Hannibal Home Parish: Holy Family Seminary: Kenrick School of Theology
Prior to entering the seminary I was in the eighth grade learning a lot about the Church's teaching and history and trying to participate more and more in the life of the Church by going to Mass, going to Confession, and praying the Rosary often. Enjoy most about seminary I enjoy learning those things and developing those virtues that will dispose me to being a better priest. I not only need the direction of those overseeing my formation, but the encouragement to holiness provided by my brother seminarians is invaluable. God loves the world and cares for his people much more than the world recognizes. Jesus really does give us what we need through the Church he established and the sacraments he instituted which he has entrusted to the Church. He forgives our sins and feeds us with his body, blood, soul, and divinity. God is always ready to teach us the truth through the Church and to give us what we need in order to live according to the truth through the sacraments. Reason for entering the seminary The circumstances were not very important. What was important in my decision was an understanding that God had created me to be committed to the Church in a special way and to provide for the spiritual needs of others especially through the sacraments. I also had a great desire to do this. Both my understanding and my desire have grown and intensified in seminary. The biggest challenge has been learning how to become virtuous and to dispose myself to grace in order to do what God made me to do.

	Name: Anthony Viviano Hometown: St. Louis, MO Home Parish: St. Luke the Evangelist, St. Louis Seminary: Sacred Heart School of Theology
Prior to entering the seminary Owned a produce trucking company. Reason for entering the seminary To be of service to others in a way unparalled to anything he has done in the past.