Diocese accepts six new seminarians and four ’discerners’ this fall

The Diocese of Little Rock accepted six new seminarians, including one from Nigeria and one from Colombia.
Currently, the diocese’s 27 seminarians come from Arkansas as well as six different countries, including Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Tanzania.
The new seminarians are:
Paschal Chinazor Mgbojirikwe, 28, from Nigeria. Son of Paul Mgbojirikwe and Christiana Mgbojirikwe, he is living at the Discernment House in Little Rock and studying at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Jose Guillermo Caballero Andrade, 22, of Colombia. The son of Juan Guillermo Caballero and Rubiela Andrade, he is also living at the Discernment House and studying at UALR.
Brad Charbonneau, 18, a member of St. Jude Church in Jacksonville. The son of Helen Charbonneau, he is studying at Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving, Texas.
Joseph De Orbegozo, 18, a member of Christ the King Church in Little Rock. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Luis De Orbegozo, he is studying at Holy Trinity Seminary.
Stephen Elser, 18, a member of Christ the King Church in Little Rock. The son of Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Elser, he is studying at Holy Trinity Seminary.
Luis G. Hernandez Jr., 17, a member of St. Theresa Church in Little Rock. The son of Luis Hernandez and Maria Mercado, he is studying at St. Joseph Seminary in St. Benedict, La.
For the first time in more than 20 years, the diocese is scheduled to ordain five men in 2010. They are:
Jason Sharbaugh, son of Mary Elizabeth Sharbaugh and Dr. C. Richard Sharbaugh. He is a member of Sacred Heart Church in Morrilton and is attending St. Mary Seminary in Houston.
Deacon Tony Robbins, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Robbins. He is a member of Our Lady of the Holy Souls Church in Little Rock and is attending St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana.
Joseph Archibong, son of Mr. and Mrs. Silas Archibong. A native of Nigeria, he is studying at St. Meinrad Seminary.
They are scheduled to be ordained May 22 at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock.
Josh Stengel, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Stengel. Stengel, a member of St. Anthony Church in Ratcliff, attends the North American College in Rome. He is scheduled to be ordained July 17 at Subiaco Abbey.
Deacon Victor Ruben Quinteros, son of Bianca Cristina Carrizo. He is completing a pastoral year at St. Theresa Church in Little Rock. He is scheduled to be ordained Dec. 11, 2010, at the Cathedral of St. Andrew.
Other returning seminarians are:
Juan Manjarrez, a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Fort Smith. He is completing a pastoral year at Blessed Sacrament Church in Jonesboro.
Alejandro Puello, a member of St. Mary Church in Paragould. He is attending St. Meinrad Seminary.
Andrew Hart, a member of Christ the King Church in Little Rock. He is attending the North American College.
Mauricio Carrasco, a member of St. Raphael Church in Springdale. He is attending St. Meinrad Seminary.
Enrique Castro, a member of St. Edward Church in Little Rock. He is attending St. Meinrad Seminary.
Wilbrod Frank, a native of Tanzania. He attends St. Meinrad Seminary.
Luis Miguel Pacheco, a native of Mexico. He attends St. Meinrad Seminary.
Macario Martin Olvera, a native of Mexico. He attends St. Meinrad Seminary.
David Fernando Mora, a native of Colombia. He attends St. Meinrad Seminary.
Robert Cigainero, a member of St. Edward Church in Texarkana. He is attending St. Joseph Seminary.
Juan Guido, a member of St. Edward Church in Little Rock. He is attending St. Joseph Seminary.
Shaun Klatt, a member of St. Jude Church in Clinton. He is attending St. Joseph Seminary.
Martin Siebold, a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in North Little Rock (Marche). He is attending St. Joseph Seminary.
Raul Garduno, a member of St. Edward Church in Little Rock. He is attending Seminario de Monterrey in Mexico.
Michael L. Johns, a member of Blessed Sacrament Church in Jonesboro. He is attending Holy Trinity Seminary.
Stephen J. Gadberry, a member of St. Peter Church in Wynne. He attends St. Joseph Seminary.
Msgr. Scott Friend, vocations director, said this fall the diocese will continue to use the Discernment House that was opened this summer. New seminarians from other countries, like Mgbojirikwe and Caballero, will be required to live in the house for a year and study English and American history and culture before going to the seminary. Also, this year, the diocese accepted four men as “discerners” who will live in the house and study at UALR while they pray about their vocation. Msgr. Friend also lives at the house.
The discerners are:
Jacob De La Paz, 19, son of Conrad De La Paz and Lori De La Paz of Cabot.
Jose Luis Galvan, 25, son of Candelario Galvan and Maria Gregoria Galvan of Fort Smith.
Zack Morton, 18, son of Joe Bill and Judy Morton of Hot Springs.
Jerry Wilkerson, 21, son of Jerry and Lisa Wilkerson of Jacksonville.