Our Seminarians

Joseph Ortega

Joseph Ortega was born in Hammond, Indiana. He is the eldest of three children in the family, having both a younger brother and sister. In 2001, Joseph graduated from Andrew High School, Joliet, Illinois. That following fall, he began studies at St. Joseph College Seminary of Loyola University, graduating in May, 2005 with a degree in Communications. From 2005-2008, Joseph attended St. Mary of Lake Mundelein Seminary, studying Theology.

In the fall of 2008, Joseph felt called by the Holy Spirit, and in speaking with his spiritual advisor, decided to take a step back from his seminary program. It was during this time of discernment that Joseph worked as a teacher’s assistant for mentally handicapped children for nine months. “At this special needs school God taught me the value and purpose of faith even when I had more bad days than good ones. Whenever I was feeling lost or frustrated with some of my students, God instructed me to accept every circumstance and person with a great deal of patience and forgiveness.” And now, having been accepted into his last year of studies at Mundelein, Joseph is set to continue his journey and become a priest for the Diocese of Gaylord. His home parish is St Francis in Petoskey. Should things progress as planned, Joseph will be ordained to the priesthood in 2011.

Peter Wigton

Peter Wigton is from Cedar, Michigan. His home parish is Holy Rosary Parish in Cedar. He is the fifth child of ten siblings. His father is a very hard working medical doctor, while his mother stayed quite busy raising ten children. He attended Catholic schools from the second grade. He remembers being a good student, rewarded for excellent or outstanding work and always did very well in religion class. While in high school he became very involved in sports and school politics. After high school, Peter attended the Franciscan University of Steubenville. He originally enrolled in business courses, but after one semester, switched to Humanities and Catholic Culture and Theology. While in college, Peter spent several semesters studying abroad. Each location was a very spiritual experience for him. By the end of his junior year, he felt the call to enter a life long relationship with God.

After this graduation from Franciscan University in 2005, he began a serious vocational search. He decided to join the Friars Minor of Mary Immaculate in Rome, he remained with them until May 2008. He made temporary vows in May of 2007. Early in 2008 he realized that he needed to discern diocesan life. After working with his spiritual director in Rome, it was decided that he would ask for a dispensation from those vows and was accepted for the Diocese of Gaylord. He is attending the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus.   This fall of 2010, Peter is in third year of Theology.

Bryan Medlin

Bryan Medlin was born in Wyandotte, and raised in Trenton, Michigan.  His home parish is the Catholic Community of Manistee. His father is a pharmacist, and his mother is an elementary school teacher.  He has one younger brother.

He holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Michigan.  Over the summer of 2010 Bryan was chosen to attend The Rome Experience. He studied and lived in Rome for six weeks.  Bryan said this was an unforgettable and faithfilled experience.  This fall of 2010 Bryan will be entering his second year of Theology at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio.

Matthew Cowan

Matthew Cowan is from Petoskey, Michigan.  His home parish is Cross in the Woods Shrine in Indian River. He is the youngest in his family, growing up with one brother and one sister. Matt attended St Francis Xavier Elementary School in Petoskey, then went to the public school for his high school years. He graduated in 2003. He began his college career at Michigan State University majoring in History and English, received his BA in History and English. Matt was a Boy Scout while growing up, achieving the position of Eagle Scout.

In college he was very active being a Tower Guard, and as a member of the History Fraternity, Honors Fraternity, and Spanish club. He is quite fluent in Spanish and had some experience teaching while in college. He would like to study Spanish more and perhaps teach more in the future. Matt also competes in triathlons.

Matt has been accepted to begin his theological studies this fall at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. 

Will MacMaster

Will MacMaster is from Harrisville, Michigan. His home parish is St Anne Parish. He is the oldest of four siblings, having one brother and two sisters. Will's parents are medical doctors in the Harrisville area.

Will graduated from high school in 2006. He then attended the Franciscan University in Stubenville.  While in college, Will became active in Music Ministry. He has recently collaborated on a CD of Christian Music. He will begin his studies at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio in his first year of Theology this fall of 2010.   

Chris Jarvis

Chris Jarvis grew up in Ludington, the youngest of four siblings.  After his graduation from high school, Chris and his parents moved to Traverse City.  Chris completed a business degree from Spring Arbor University and was in business with his brother building custom homes.

After some discernment, Chris applied and was accepted to the Congregation of Marians of the Immaculate Conception.  He has also studied at the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio.  Chris finally discerned that the Diocesan priesthood was what he had been searching for.  His home parish is Holy Rosary Parish in Cedar. He applied and was accepted to the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio and will begin his Pre-theology studies this fall of 2010. 

Tyler Bischoff

Tyler Bischoff is from East Tawas, Michigan. His home parish is Holy Family Parish.  He was born and raised in East Tawas as the oldest child with two younger sisters. He remembers wanting to be a priest as early as elementary school. He went to Catholic schools beginning in the 3rd grade. Tyler graduated 4th in his class from high school in 2007. While in high school, he also began running track and cross country, setting some new records for his school. 

Upon graduation he enrolled in Aquinas College in Grand Rapids. He loves being in college, meeting new people, and studying as well as competing with the cross country and track teams. He feels his love of teamwork helped him transition into college life. He now attends the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio.  He will be entering his fourth year of college studies the fall of 2010.

Michael Wigton

Michael Wigton is from Cedar, Michigan. His home parish is Holy Rosary Parish in Cedar.  He is the ninth child of ten siblings. His father is a medical doctor, while his mother stayed quite busy raising ten children. He attended Catholic elementary and high school.

His first year of college he attended Franciscan Unviersity in Steubenville, Ohio.  His second year of college, he attended Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City, Michigan.  He is currently in his fourth year of college, attending the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio.

Chet Collins

Chet was born in Linden, Michigan.  He has two older sisters and a younger brother. His family moved permanently to Gaylord in 1952 when Chet was seven years old. Chet grew up attending daily Mass beginning at age three when he walked with his mother and his sisters to St Mary Church and School where his sisters attended. He feels that those daily trips at a young age has always made it easy throughout his life to attend daily Mass whenever possible.  In high school, Chet's principal, Sr. Mary, asked him if he had ever though of pursuing the priesthood.  Looking back Chet said if he had answered with his heart, he would have told her "Yes".   He also had two family members who were sisters.  They were always close to Chet and helped him grow spiritually. In 1971, Chet joined the U.S. Navy. Upon leaving the Navy in 1975, Chet took the exam to work in the US Post Office.  He was hired there in March of 1976.  He attend various colleges and seminaries throughout these years, with thoughts of being ordained to the priest hood always in the back of his mind.  Throughout these years, Chet was an active member of his home parish, St Mary Cathedral in Gaylord.

He finally met up with some Franciscan candidates and found a special love for the order. He made his profession in the Order in 2006.  He credits his friends and parish priest for the ongoing encouragement to fulfill his dream of being ordained.  This led him to being accepted to Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisonsin.  He will begin his sutdies there this fall of 2010.  

Sean Farkas

Sean Farkas was born in Traverse City. His home parish is Immaculate Conception in Traverse City.  He is the youngest of 6 siblings, having one sister and four brothers.  He went to St Mary School in Lake Leelanau until tenth grade.  He transferred to Suttons Bay Public schools to study computers and graphics.  He spent four years working at a local television station.  Sean loved filming and graphics and considered a carreer in television until he had a change of heart.

During those years, some of the friends he spent time with were saying they "used to be Catholic".  He realized that they were missing the "big picture" and that he needed to step up and understand more the teachings that he was brought up on.  He began to attend classes and found a spiritual director.  He began talking and listening to him.  During that time he visited the Oplates of the Virgin Mary in Boston, he stayed with them for over a year.  While he was there, everyone told him he that he should be a diocesan priest. 

He applied to the Pontifical College Josephinum in columbus, Ohio and will begin his college studies there this fall of 2010.