Anthony Willi
Birth Date November 28 Parish Location St. Jude, Peoria Year entered the Seminary/Class of Entered in 2023, Class of 2029 Studying at St. Mary of the Lake Why did you become a seminarian? I first felt the call to the priesthood during my senior year at Peoria Notre Dame High School. Like many other who […]
Brennan O’Keeffe
Jarod Raber
Birth Date February 26 Parish Location Christ the King, Moline Year entered the Seminary/Class of Entered in 2022, Class of 2028 Studying at Mundelein Seminary Why did you become a seminarian? As I look back on my life, I can see that God has been drawing me to Himself, as he does for everyone. Many […]
Peter Schoonmaker
Birth Date February 3 Parish Location St. Mary, Rock Island Year entered the Seminary/Class of Entered in 2021, Class of 2029 Studying at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, Winona MN Why did you become a seminarian? The thought of being a priest had been on my mind since I was little, but it wasn’t until […]
Andrew Bilgri
Birth Date June 5 Parish Location Immaculate Conception, Monmouth & St. John Paul II Newman Center @ ISU Year entered the Seminary/Class of Entered in 2021, Class of 2027 Studying at Mundelein Seminary Why did you become a seminarian? Towards the end of high school I had a reversion back to my faith, which sparked […]
Blake Miller
Birth Date September 25 Parish Location Holy Trinity, Bloomington Year entered the Seminary/Class of Entered in 2020, Class of 2026 Studying at Mundelein Seminary Why did you become a seminarian? I grew up Catholic and attended Catholic school through high school, but I fell away from the faith during my college years at Illinois State. […]
JohnPaul Stedwill
Birth Date July 3 Parish Location St. Jude, Peoria Year entered the Seminary/Class of Entered in 2020, Class of 2026 Studying at Mundelein Seminary Why did you become a seminarian? I believe that the Father not only has a plan set aside for each of our lives, but also that His plans are greater than […]
Deacon Jack Watt
Birth Date December 7 Parish Location Epiphany, Normal Year entered the Seminary/Class of Entered in 2019, Class of 2025 Studying at Mundelein Seminary Why did you become a seminarian? I became a seminarian because I believe God has called me to be His Priest and I trust in His call. When I was a junior […]
Deacon Francis Strong
Birth Date April 1 Parish Location St. Andrew, Fairbury Year entered the Seminary/Class of Entered in 2018, Class of 2025 Studying at Mundelein Seminary Why did you become a seminarian? Ever since I received my First Holy Communion, I had the desire to be a priest. I admired how my pastor went about his priestly […]
Brady Depoorter
Birth Date June 9 Parish Location Christ the King, Moline Year entered the Seminary/Class of Entered in 2023, Class of 2030 Studying at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, Winona MN Why did you become a seminarian? I actually started the application process to the seminary 10 years ago, but it wasn’t God’s time. Throughout these […]