The Diocese of Little Rock announced that it has accepted 13 new seminarians, making it one of the largest classes in recent years.
The diocese’s 33 seminarians continue to be more ethnically diverse and more educated than has been traditional.
“It is amazing how unique they are,” vocations director Msgr. Scott Friend said. “They have got work experience. If they get ordained, it will bring new capacities to the presbyterate.”
For example, Dr. Joseph Chan, an internist in Fort Smith who is trained in hospice and palliative care medicine, has been accepted as a seminarian.
“He is very brilliant,” Msgr. Friend said.
Another new seminarian, Paul Goergen of Blytheville, was an electrical engineer. John Verser of Heber Springs has been working recently as the managing editor of The Port Lavaca Wave in Texas.
The diocese’s seminarians hail from the United States as well as Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Tanzania, Colombia, the Philippines, Peru, Haiti, El Salvador and Nicaragua. Msgr. Friend said most of these seminarians have been living in Arkansas for many years, but some are coming to the United States for the first time. Those who are new to the U.S. know family members or priests in Arkansas, he said.
Msgr. Friend said many of the new seminarians have had to sell their homes or pay off debts before they entered the seminary.
“The selfless things I have seen in these guys, it’s humbling,” he said.
The new seminarians are:
David Aguilar, 24, son of Francisco Aguilar and Maria del Socorro Avila and member of St. Raphael Church in Springdale. He is studying at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and living at the diocese’s Discernment House.
Martin Amaro, 18, son of Martin and Maria Graciela Amaro and member of St. Edward Church in Little Rock. He will attend the Seminario de Monterrey in Mexico.
Jorge Ayala, 17, son of Jorge and Celia Ayala and member of St. Raphael Church in Springdale. He will also attend the Seminario de Monterrey.
Dr. Joseph Chan, 45, son of Modesto and Circuncision Chan of the Philippines and member of St. Michael Church in Van Buren. He will attend St. Meinrad Seminary in St. Meinrad, Ind.
Segundo “Zico” Cordova, 24, son of Milton Cerro and Micaelina Cordova of Peru. He will attend a seminary in Mexico.
Jose Luis Galvan, 26, son of Candelario and Maria Gregoria Galvan and member of Immaculate Conception Church in Fort Smith. He will attend St. Joseph Seminary in St. Benedict, La.
Paul Goergen, 25, son of Edward and Theresa Ann Goergen and member of Immaculate Conception Church in Blytheville. He will attend St. Meinrad Seminary.
Matt Heffron, 18, son of Thomas and Lisa Marie Heffron and member of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Rogers. He will attend St. Joseph Seminary.
Keith Higgingbotham, 18, son of Ralph and Sherry Higginbotham and member of St. Anne Church in North Little Rock. He will attend Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving, Texas.
Ramses Mendieta, 20, son of Roger de la Cruz Mendieta and Sandra Lacayo of Nicaragua. He will study at UALR.
Omar Vega, 19, son of Ignacio A. Vega and Ricarda del Carmen Alvarenga of El Salvador. He will study at UALR.
John Verser, 30, son of Randy and Vickie Verser and member of St. Albert Church in Heber Springs. He will attend St. Meinrad Seminary.
Wisly Isidor, 24, son of Qieula Ismont of Haiti. He will study at UALR.
One man has been accepted as a “discerner” and will live at the Discernment House in Little Rock. Emmanuel Torres, 23, is the son of Juan and Maria Torres and a member of St. Edward Church in Little Rock.
The returning seminarians are:
Juan Manjarrez, a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Fort Smith. He attends St. Meinrad Seminary. He is scheduled to be ordained a deacon in May.
Alejandro Puello, a member of St. Mary Church in Paragould. He is attending St. Meinrad Seminary. He is scheduled to be ordained a deacon in May.
Andrew Hart, a member of Christ the King Church in Little Rock. He is attending the North American College in Rome.
Mauricio Carrasco, a member of St. Raphael Church in Springdale. He is attending St. Meinrad Seminary. He is scheduled to be ordained a deacon in May.
Brayan Rodriguez, a native of Colombia. He attends Seminario Hispano in Mexico.
George Sanders, a member of St. John Church in Hot Springs. He attends 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.
Robert Cigainero, a member of St. Edward Church in Texarkana. He attends St. Meinrad Seminary.
Juan Guido, a member of St. Edward Church in Little Rock. He attends St. Meinrad Seminary.
Jose Guillermo Caballero, a native of Colombia. He attends St. Meinrad Seminary.
Shaun Klatt, a member of St. Jude Church in Clinton. He is attending UALR.
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.
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.
Brad Charbonneau, a member of St. Jude Church in Jacksonville. He is studying at Holy Trinity Seminary.
Joseph De Orbegozo, a member of Christ the King Church in Little Rock. He is studying at Holy Trinity Seminary.
Stephen Elser, a member of Christ the King Church in Little Rock. He is studying at Holy Trinity Seminary.
Msgr. Friend said he is anticipating that the number of seminarians will continue to grow each year.
“I am already signing up guys for next year,” he said.
