Eight new seminarians join diocese

25 existing seminarians return to class this month. NEW video links.

Published: August 25, 2012

The Diocese of Little Rock's seminarian count is holding steady at 33, the vocations office announced recently.

Eight new seminarians were accepted for the fall. They are:

Taryn Whittington, 34, a member of the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock and son of Richard and Regina Whittington of Scott. He will attend St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana. Click here for a video interview with Taryn Whittington

Luke Womack, 27, of St. Mary Church in Hot Springs and son of Larry and Madelyn Womack. He attends St. Meinrad. Click here for a video interview with Luke Womack

Brothers Patrick Friend, 23, and Joseph Friend, 17, sons of Dr. Jerry and Betty Friend. Patrick will attend St. Meinrad Seminary and Joseph will attend Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving, Texas. They are the nephews of Msgr. Scott Friend, vocations director.
Click here for a video interview with Joseph Friend
Click here for a video interview with Patrick Friend

Jeff Hebert, 29, a member of the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock and son of Richard and Marie Hebert of Spring, Texas. He will attend St. Meinrad. Click here for a video interview with Jeff Hebert

Emmanuel Torres, 25, a member of St. Edward Church in Little Rock and son of Juan and Maria Torres of North Little Rock. He lives at the House of Formation. Click here for a video interview with Emmanuel Torres

Arturo Ramirez, 18, a member of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Benton and son of Arturo Ramirez and Edelia Olvera of Benton. He will live in the House of Formation. Click here for a video interview with Arturo Ramirez

Daniel Phillips, 18, a member of Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Booneville and son of John and Catherine Phillips of Booneville. He will attend Holy Trinity Seminary. Click here for a video interview with Daniel Phillips

Four seminarians were ordained in May and July, leaving 25 seminarians to return to the seminary this fall. They are:

George Sanders of St. John Church in Hot Springs. He earned a master's degree from St. Meinrad Seminary and is waiting on Vatican approval in order to move toward diaconate ordination.

Robert Cigainero of St. Edward Church in Texarkana.

Juan Guido and Martin Amaro of St. Edward Church in Little Rock.

Jack Sidler Jr. of Sacred Heart of Mary Church in Barling.

Rick Hobbs III and Dr. Joseph Chan of St. Boniface Church in Fort Smith.

Luis Miguel Pacheco of Mexico.

Martin Siebold of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in North Little Rock (Marche).

Stephen Gadberry of St. Peter Church in Wynne.

Link to video profile by Catholic News Service on Stephen Gadberry

Paul Goergen of Immaculate Conception Church in Blytheville.

Mario Jacobo of St. Clement Church in Calhoun, Ga.

Michael Johns of Blessed Sacrament Church in Jonesboro.

Norman McFall of St. Joseph Church in Pine Bluff.

William Burmester of St. Joseph Church in Conway.

Stephen Hart, Stephen Elser, Joseph de Orbegozo and Jon Miskin of Christ the King Church in Little Rock.

Robert Smith and Thomas Johnson of St. Joseph Church in Fayetteville.

Ramses Mendieta of Nicaragua.

Karldy Isidor of Haiti.

Keith Higginbotham of St. Anne Church in North Little Rock.

David Aguilar of St. Raphael Church in Springdale.

Three men who are discerning a vocation are living at the House of Formation. They are Jose Luis Quijada and Derron Martin, both of Immaculate Conception Church in Fort Smith; and John Taylor of Fort Worth, Texas, nephew of Bishop Anthony B. Taylor.

Seven seminarians and "discerners" will be living in the new House of Formation that is scheduled to open in September on the grounds of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Little Rock.