September 25, 2009
Seminarians return to college, philosophy, theology studies
Seminarians pose for a group picture during their annual retreat before the fall semester. They include Brian Emmick, Christopher Droste, Tyler Tenbarge, Jeremy Goebel, William Dunn, Jeff Read, Nick Seib and Michael Loner. (Message photo by Paul R. Leingang) Click for a larger version.
By PAUL R. LEINGANG (Message editor)
Eight seminarians in various stages of formation are preparing for the priesthood in the Diocese of Evansville.
Tyler Tenbarge, a sophomore, and Jeremy Goebel, a junior, are attending Bishop Bruté College Seminary located at Marian University in Indianpolis.
Bill Dunn and Michael Loner are in their second year of philosphy studies at St. Meinrad.
Nick Seib and Chris Droste are in first year theology studies, and Brian Emmick and Jeff Read are in their second year theoloy studies, all at St. Meinrad School of Theology.
In mid-August, the seminarians participated in a retreat under the guidance of Father Paul Etienne, a priest of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
During the retreat, the seminarians responded to a list of questions from the Message. Their responses will be published in future issues of the Message. Responses to one of the questions, about summer activities, are included with brief biographical sketches, below.
Tyler Tenbarge, 21, is a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Haubstadt. He is a sophomore in college, attending Marian College in Indianapolis. He is the son of Mark and Susan Tenbarge of Haubstadt.
“I enjoyed my summer this year in Washington, D.C., facilitating leadership conferences for high school students. The weeklong conferences centered on servant leadership as a focus of the na-tional FFA organization.”
Jeremy F. Goebel, 21, is a member of Resurrection Church, Evansville. He is a student at Marian University in Indianapolis. His parents are Jim and Faye Goebel of Evansville.
He spent his summer “doing landscaping at Arrowhead Custom Lawn Care.” He said, “I spent a lot of time with family. Nights and weekdnds were with good friends. I enjoyed quiet time in prayer and reading.”
William J. Dunn Jr., 31, is a member of Holy Rosary Church, Evansville. He is in his second year of philosophy studies at St. Meinrad. He is the son of Frances Dunn of Lafayette, Ind.
He spent his summer partly at St. Mary Church in Ireland and at his home in Lafayette, Ind.
Michael Loner, 25, is a member of Holy Family Church in Jasper. He is in his second year of philosophy studies at St. Meinrad. He is the son of Lawrence and Christy Loner of Jasper.
He spent his summer at his assignment with Father Eugene Schmitt at St. Bernard Church in Rockport and at St. Martin Church in Chrisney.
Nick Seib, 32, is a member of St. John the Baptist Church in Newburgh. He is in his first year of theology studies at St. Meinrad. He is the son of Dennis and Karen Seib of Newburgh.
He spent his summer on assignment with Father Philip Kreilein at Resurrection Church in Evansville.
Christopher Droste, 29, is a member of St. James Church, Haubstadt. He has begun his first year of Theology at St. Meinrad School of Theology. His parents are Rita Droste and Jack Droste, both of Evansville.
Over the summer months he completed his undergraduate studies in philosophy at Marian University in Indianapolis.
Brian Emmick, 28, is a member of St. John the Baptist Church in Newburgh. He is in his second year of theology studies at St. Meinrad. He is the son of William and Candace Emmick of Evansville.
He spent his summer on assignment at Holy Family Church with Father John Boeglin in Jasper.
Jeff Read, 28, is a member of St. John the Evangelist Church in Daylight. He is in his second year of theology studies at St. Meinrad. He is the son of William and Bernadine Read of Elberfeld.
He spent part of his summer at St. John the Baptist Church in Newburgh, and part at Philmont Scout Reservation in New Mexico. At St. John Church, he helped with Vacation Bible School, the summer social, teenpower, communion calls and interviewing staff members.
At Philmont, he went on the St. George Trek with a crew of Catholic boy scouts, engaging in leadership and spiritual activities.