Religious with ties to St. Louis answer God’s vocational call
Archbishop Emeritus Robert J. Carlson ordained two Jesuits to the priesthood on June 8 at St. Francis Xavier (College) Church in St. Louis. Fathers Daniel J. Everson, SJ, and J. Michael Mohr, SJ, are members of the USA Central and Southern (UCS) Province of the Society of Jesus.
Father Everson was born and raised in St. Louis and graduated from St. Louis University High School. He spent six years in St. Louis during his Jesuit formation, first as a student at Saint Louis University, then teaching at St. Louis University High School. After ordination, Father Everson returns to Arrupe Jesuit High School in Denver to serve as assistant principal for mission.
Father Mohr was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He entered the Jesuits at the Novitiate of St. Stanislaus Kostka in Grand Coteau, Louisiana, in August 2013, alongside Father Everson. He studied philosophy at Saint Louis University and completed his regency at St. Louis University High School. While there, he taught English and theology, assisted with the band and helped with pastoral ministry and retreats. Father Mohr is now pursuing a Licentiate in Sacred Theology at the Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry.
Fathers Everson and Mohr are among the 19 Jesuits ordained in the United States, Canada and Haiti this year. Several other Jesuits with the USA Central and Southern Province with ties to St. Louis professed final vows in the past year. They include Father Vincent Giacabazi, SJ, on Aug. 19, 2023; Father Michael Rozier, SJ, (a native of Ste. Genevieve) on Aug. 24, 2023; and Father Dong P. (Derek) Vo, SJ, on April 22, 2024.
Several other religious communities have celebrated ordinations and professions of vows in the past year. These men and women, with ties to St. Louis, include:
Order of Preachers (Dominicans)
Bishop Edward M. Rice ordained Father Matthew Paul Grote, OP, to the priesthood on May 18 at St. Pius V Church in St. Louis. A native of Lafayette, Indiana, Father Grote studied in St. Louis at Aquinas Institute and served for several years at St. Cecilia Parish in St. Louis, including as a deacon this past year. He begins his priestly ministry at St. Vincent Ferrer Parish in River Forest, Illinois.
Father Carlos Salas, OP, also was ordained to the priesthood at St. Peter Church in Memphis, Tennessee, on June 15. In addition to his studies in St. Louis, he served at St. Cecilia Parish in St. Louis for many years until his ordination. And Brother Joseph Van Havermaet, OP, will make his solemn profession on Aug. 8 at St. Vincent Ferrer Parish in River Forest. He has been studying in St. Louis since 2020.
Brother Michael Marie Prize, OP, professed simple vows on Aug. 15, 2023, with the Dominican Friars, Province of St. Joseph. He is from St. Gianna Parish in Wentzville.
Order of St. Benedict (Benedictines)
Brother Jean-Marie Hogan, OSB, professed his solemn vows with the Order of St. Benedict (Benedictines) on Dec. 9, 2023, at St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison, Kansas. The former Thomas Hogan is from St. John Paul II Parish in Affton. He attended St. Dominic Savio School and is a 2015 graduate of St. Louis University High School. He attended the University of Dallas before entering the community.
Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Sisters Allison Zink, ASCJ, and Catherine Ann Phillips, ASCJ, will renew their vows on July 26. Sister Allison is from Ascension Parish in Chesterfield and attended Incarnate Word School and Marquette High School, both in Chesterfield. Sister Catherine Ann is from Holy Infant Parish in Ballwin and is a 2009 graduate of Cor Jesu Academy. Sister Clara Marie Johnson, ASCJ, who taught theology at Cor Jesu Academy, and Sister Patricia Elaine Young, ASCJ, who taught math at St. Joseph School in Imperial, will renew their vows on July 26.
Sister Allison Lorraine Masserano, ASCJ, who will begin teaching at Cor Jesu this fall, will profess final vows on July 27.
Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus
Sister M. John Paul of the Fount of Mercy, DCJ, made her perpetual profession with the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus in Kirkwood in 2023. The former Elizabeth Svejkosky is from St. Paul Parish in Fenton and attended John Paul II Preparatory School and Benedictine College.
Sister Mariana Joy of the Heart of Jesus, DCJ, renewed her temporary vows in Kirkwood on July 2. The former Emma Ackerman is from Ascension Parish in Chesterfield and attended John Paul II Preparatory School. She was joined by Sister M. Alicia de los Angeles de la Sagrada Familia, DCJ, and Sister M. Magealene Therese of the Merciful Father, DCJ, who also renewed temporary vows.
Community of the Lamb
Little brother David professed first vows with the Community of the Lamb on Jan. 4, 2023, at the Cathedral of Saint Peter the Apostle in Kansas City, Kansas. The former Jedidiah (Jed) Surdyke of Our Lady Parish in Festus attended Our Lady School in Festus, St Pius X High School in Festus and Rockhurst University. He currently lives in the community’s monastery in Kansas City, Kansas.
Congregation of the Holy Cross
Father Peter Puelo, CSC, was among eight men ordained to the priesthood for the Congregation of the Holy Cross on April 6 at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the University of Notre Dame campus in South Bend, Indiana. A native of St. Louis, Father Puelo is a 2012 graduate of Chaminade College Preparatory School and attended the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Missouri, and University of Notre Dame. He has been assigned as an associate pastor at St. Joseph Parish in South Bend.
Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest
Abbé Michael LaZella was received into minor orders of porter and lector on July 2 with the Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest, and is in formation to be ordained to the priesthood. He attended St. Francis de Sales Oratory in St. Louis and currently is at the institute’s St. Philip Neri Seminary in Gricigliano, Italy.
Society of Mary (Marianists)
Brother Chicago Joe Schuller, SM, professed his first vows on May 18 and Brother Magdaleno (Leno) Ceballos, SM, renewed his vows on June 22 with the Marianist Province of the U.S. A native of Mission, Texas, Brother Schuller was assigned to the Maryland Avenue community in St. Louis and will serve in campus ministry and institutional advancement at St. John Vianney High School in Kirkwood. Brother Ceballos, from Vista, California, teaches seventh-grade Spanish and high school French at Chaminade College Preparatory School in Creve Coeur.
Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter
Deacon Steven Kalinowski, FSSP, was one of five men ordained to the diaconate for the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter on March 16 at the Chapel of Sts. Peter and Paul in Denton, Nebraska. Deacon Kalinowski, from the Oratory of Sts. Gregory and Augustine in St. Louis, will continue his formation at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Denton.
