Current Seminarians

Meet the Seminarians from the Archdiocese of Omaha

The seminarians of the Archdiocese of Omaha exhibit a wide variety of interests, hobbies, and talents. They represent a diverse group of high school graduates, college transfers, college graduates, and occupational and professional workers. Download the poster or prayer card below to pray for our seminarians.

Logan Hepp - Transitional Deacon

Configuration IV
Kenrick-Glennon Seminary

Brian Hula - Transitional Deacon

Configuration IV
Kenrick-Glennon Seminary

Will Targy - Transitional Deacon

Configuration IV
Kenrick-Glennon Seminary

Michael Figura

Configuration III
North American College

Nicholas Seier

Configuration III
Kenrick-Glennon Seminary

Caleb Kosch

Configuration II
St. Paul Seminary

Thomas Matya

Configuration II
Kenrick-Glennon Seminary

Seth Conrad

Configuration I
Kenrick-Glennon Seminary

Brian Johnson

Configuration I
Kenrick-Glennon Seminary

Kyle Wozniak

Pastoral Internship
St. John Vianney Seminary

Luke Capoun

Discipleship IV
St. John Vianney Seminary

Casey LaMotte

Discipleship III
St. John Vianney Seminary

Thomas LaSala

Discipleship III
St. John Vianney Seminary

Ethan Menning

Discipleship III
St. John Vianney Seminary

Harrison Elhabbal

Discipleship II
St. John Vianney Seminary

Luke Gunderson

Discipleship II
St. John Vianney Seminary

Andrew Nigro

Discipleship II
St. Paul Seminary

Stephen Driscoll

Propaedeutic Year
Kenrick-Glennon Seminary

Alex Kennedy

Propaedeutic Year
St. John Vianney Seminary

Kyle Snodgrass

Propaedeutic Year
St. Paul Seminary

Learn About The Seminaries

St. John Vianney Seminary

St. Paul, MN

Kenrick-Glennon Seminary

St. Louis, MO

North American College

Rome, Italy

St. Paul Seminary

St. Paul, MN

Stages of Priestly Formation

In order to become a Catholic priest, a man must fulfill three basic requirements: a college degree, 2 years of Philosophy study, and 4 years of Theology study. Some men enter seminary while still in college and so they attend College Seminary. Once they get a degree, they can transfer to Major Seminary. Because the demands of priesthood are so great, formation of future priests is rigorous. In addition to master’s-level academics, seminarians pray together at least twice a day, go to daily Mass, meet with their spiritual directors, and go to pastoral assignments at local parishes.

The Propaedeutic Stage (1-3 years)

Since formation is a lifelong journey, it is important to lay a solid foundation for this journey in the Propaedeutic Stage, especially in the human and spiritual dimensions. This is a non-academic stage which allows the seminarian to lay a foundation for a new way of life through prayer, study, fraternity, and appropriate docility to formation.

The Discipleship Stage (2 years)

In the Discipleship Stage there is a systematic and rigorous formation that has at its core the goal of growing in an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through the life of meditation, contemplation, philosophical study, and the training of one’s character in Christian virtue.

The Configuration Stage (4 years)

In this stage, the seminarian models his life on the self-donation of Jesus Christ, Shepherd and Servant, as he prepares more immediately for Holy Orders. Reception of Candidacy, and conferral of the ministries of lector and acolyte occurs during this stage, marking the progressive deepening of this self-configuration to Christ both liturgically and in catechesis, evangelization, and active service to the poor.

The Vocational Synthesis Stage (6 months – 1 year)

This stage is the period of formation between diaconal and priestly ordinations. Occurring upon the completion of formal seminary formation, it is intended as a time of integration and transition into one’s diocese. This stage is a gradual realization of the cleric’s responsibility for the care of souls while he resides full-time in a parish.

Hey! I’m Zach Eischeid. I grew up in Elgin, Nebraska and belong to the Saint Boniface Parish. I attended Saint Boniface Elementary and graduated from Pope John XXIII Central Catholic High School. Saint Boniface Parish is a great place to learn about the Faith with our schools and to see so many parishioners helping each other and our parish in a myriad of ways.

My discernment has been around for as long as I can remember. Since I was a toddler, the priesthood always amazed me. However, around junior high, I kept pushing it to the back of my mind because I didn’t want to be labeled as that “extra-religious guy.” After graduating, I decided to attend Benedictine College to major in Theology. Towards the end of my first year at Benedictine, while at my sister’s wedding dance, I oddly had a strong feeling about seminary. A month later, I attended the priest ordination while teaching Totus Tuus, and started weeping during the procession in the cathedral. This sign was big encouragement in finally giving my future in God’s hands. I am currently at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis and have made many fraternal friendships, as we are all on the same journey of striving to be what God wants us to be.

For all those with even an inkling about entering seminary, I encourage you to be open to it. Pray about it, frequent the sacraments, and remember: “You were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness.” And remember, every priest and seminarian has gone through what you are going through.

In my down time, I like playing any sport, especially basketball and baseball, jamming on the ukulele, listening to Christian rap, watching Nebraska football, and combating heresy.