It is a great privilege to introduce the seminarian class of 2021. The men ordained to the priesthood this summer will serve eight different dioceses in the Midwest and one religious order, Pro Ecclesia Sancta, which is entrusted with the pastoral care of St. Mark’s Parish in St. Paul, Minnesota. With 18 men, the class of 2021 is not only large but an exceptional group eager to spread the Gospel.
“No one will forget this past year as we navigated the pandemic and stayed in session, in person, all year long, despite many challenges and uncertainties,” said Father Joseph Taphorn, rector of The Saint Paul Seminary. “I am proud of the class of 2021 for stepping into leadership during this year and modeling for their brother seminarians a spirit of service and sacrifice. The Church will be greatly blessed by their ministry.”
St. Paul and Minneapolis
James Bernard
Age: 42
Hometown: West Saint Paul, MN
Home Parish: Church of St. Joseph
Parents: James and Mary Bernard
Siblings: 2 brothers
Education: Speech Communication from St. Cloud State University; M.Div. from The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity
Michael Reinhardt
Age: 43
Hometown: Rockford, IL
Home Parish: Basilica of St. Mary
Parents: Richard and Linda Reinhardt
Siblings: 1 sister
Education: Mechanical Engineering from Bradley University; Law from University of Minnesota; M.Div. and MAT from The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity
Josh Salonek
Age: 26
Hometown: Saint Michael, MN
Home Parish: Saint Michael Catholic Church
Parents: Michael and Joann Salonek
Siblings: 3 brothers, 1 sister
Education: Philosophy and Catholic Studies from the University of St. Thomas; M.Div. from The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity
William Duffert
Age: 32
Hometown: Ramsey, MN
Home Parish: St. Stephen’s Catholic Community
Parents: Doug and Anne Duffert
Siblings: 1 brother, 1 sister
Education: Elementary Education from St. Mary’s University; M.Div. from The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Scott Miller
Age: 27
Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD
Home Parish: St. Lambert’s Catholic Church
Parents: Todd and Linda Miller
Siblings: 2 brothers
Education: Philosophy and Catholic Studies from the University of St. Thomas; M.Div. from The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity
Jacob Doty
Age: 26
Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD
Home Parish: Cathedral of St. Joseph
Parents: Dale and Janet Doty
Siblings: 6 brothers, 5 sisters
Education: Philosophy and Catholic Studies from the University of St. Thomas; M.Div. and MAT from the Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity
Rockford, Illinois
Aaron Downing
Age: 28 Hometown: Roscoe, IL
Home Parish: Church of the Holy Apostles
Parents: Edward and Theresa Downing
Siblings: 2 brothers
Education: Philosophy from the University of St. Thomas; M.Div. from The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity
John McFadden
Age: 25
Hometown: Crystal Lake, IL
Home Parish: St. Thomas the Apostle Parents: John and Patty McFadden
Siblings: 1 sister
Education: Philosophy and Catholic Studies from the University of St. Thomas; M.Div. from The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity
Pro Eclessia Sancta
David Hottinger
Age: 34
Hometown: Saint Paul, MN
Home Parish: Nativity of Our Lord
Parents: Molly and George Hottinger
Siblings: 2 brothers, 3 sisters
Education: Economics and History from the University of Wisconsin; Law from University of Minnesota; M.Div. and MAT from The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity
Joseph Barron
Age: 28 Hometown: Hopkins, MN
Home Parish: Church of St. Mark
Parents: Kenneth and Mary Barron
Siblings: 6 brothers, 1 sister
Education: Philosophy from the University of St. Thomas; M.Div. from The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity
Kabale, Uganda
Zephirino Tumwejunise
Age: 30
Hometown: Kabale, Uganda
Home Parish: Rubanda Parish
Parents: Frederick and Cecelia Bakirirehe
Siblings: 8 sisters, 2 brothers
Education: Philosophy from Uganda National Major Seminary; M.Div. from The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity
Des Moines
Jake Epstein
Age: 32
Hometown: Urbandale, IA
Home Parish: St. Pius X
Parents: Carmen and Jim Epstein
Siblings: 1 brother, 1 sister
Education: Chemical Engineering from Iowa State University; M.Div. and MAT from The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity
Brad Robey
Age: 26
Hometown: Pleasant Hill, IA
Home Parish: St. Joseph
Parents: Charles and Kathy Robey
Siblings: 2 brothers, 1 sister
Education: Liberal Arts from Conception Seminary; M.Div. from The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity
Nicholas Stark
Age: 26
Hometown: Urbandale, IA
Home Parish: St. Pius X
Parents: Rob and Carol Stark
Siblings: 1 sister
Education: Philosophy from Loras College; M.Div. from The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity
Duluth, Minnesota
Trevor Peterson
Age: 39
Hometown: Detroit Lakes, MN
Home Parishes: Holy Rosary, Detroit Lakes MN; St. John the Evangelist, Duluth, MN
Parents: Wendall and Marilyn Peterson Siblings: 2 brothers, 1 sister
Education: Philosophy from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota; M.Div. from The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity
Davenport, Iowa
Andrew Rauenbuehler
Age: 30
Hometown: Muscatine, IA
Home Parish: Sts. Mary and Mathias
Parents: Mark and Sharon Rauenbuehler
Siblings: 3 sisters, 1 brother
Education: Philosophy from the University of St. Thomas; M.Div. from The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity
Fargo, North Dakota
Kevin Lorsung
Age: 26
Hometown: Isanti, MN
Home Parish: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Parents: Debra and Donald Lorsung Siblings: 2 brothers, 1 sister
Education: Philosophy from St. Gregory the Great Seminary; M.Div. from The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity
Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter
Steven Hilgendorf
Age: 33
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Home Parishes: Holy Family/St. Bede the Venerable, St. Louis Park, MN
Parents: Arthur and Georgeann Hilgendorf
Siblings: 1 sister
Education: German and Religion from Hillsdale College
Transitional Diaconate
Transitional Diaconate Ordination Masses were celebrated during the summer. The seminary community is very proud of these men and looks forward to their future ministries as deacons and priests.
Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis: Connor McGinnis, Joseph Nguyen, Michael Selenski, John Utecht
Rockford, Illinois: Nathan Pacer
New Ulm, Minnesota: Joshua Bot, Tanner Thooft, Nathan Hansen
Fargo, North Dakota: Robert Foertsch Joseph Littlefield
Davenport, Iowa: Dale Mallory, Benjamin Snyder
Des Moines: Rodrigo Mayorga, Nicholas Smith
Sioux Falls: Nicholas Haiar, Mitchell McLaughlin
Duluth, Minnesota: Scott Padrnos