Dear friends of the seminary,
The opening weeks of the academic year have brought a memorable journey, the joy of three priestly ordinations, and an unexpected challenge here at home. We are pleased to share these events with you, whose prayers and generosity mean so much to the life of Mater Dei Seminary.
Thanks to the generous donations of the faithful, our seminarians were able to fly from Omaha to Spokane, Washington, for the priestly ordinations at Mount St. Michael’s. We are especially grateful to those who made this trip possible.
For men preparing for the priesthood, witnessing an ordination is a meaningful occasion. The years of prayer, study, and preparation find their fulfillment in the sacred ceremonies, bringing before the seminarians the very vocation toward which they are working.
Historic Mount St. Michael’s provided a beautiful setting for the visit. Its church and grounds formed a fitting backdrop for an occasion that our seminarians will long remember.
On September 29, 2026, the feast of St. Michael the Archangel, Fr. Kyle St. Aubin of Canada, Fr. Richard Lauricella of Washington, and Fr. Thomas Netzel of Washington were ordained to the holy priesthood at Mount St. Michael’s.
The ordinations were a joyful occasion for the new priests, their families, and the seminary community. After years of formation, these men have been called to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, administer the sacraments, and devote their lives to the salvation of souls.
Following the ceremonies, the reception offered an opportunity to congratulate the newly ordained priests and share in the happiness of the day. Please continue to remember these three priests in your prayers. May Our Lord grant them the grace to persevere faithfully in their vocation and to serve the souls entrusted to them with charity and zeal.
Alongside these happy events came a considerable hardship. Flooding in Omaha and the surrounding area also affected the seminary, bringing approximately two feet of water into the basement of the building.
The water left behind a tremendous amount of work. Cleaning up and putting the affected areas back in order has demanded many hours of labor and considerable effort. It has been a difficult addition to the usual responsibilities of the new academic year.
We are grateful to the seminarians for the work devoted to the cleanup and ask you to keep the seminary in your prayers as we address the aftermath of the flooding.
These past weeks have reminded us how much the seminary depends upon the kindness of our benefactors. We are deeply grateful to those whose generous donations made the seminarians’ trip to Spokane possible. It was a memorable opportunity to witness the ordinations and share in the joy of the occasion.
Thank you for supporting our seminarians and remembering them in your prayers as they prepare for the holy priesthood. Your kindness and prayers encourage them through both joyful occasions and difficult days.
We hope you enjoy the photographs of the ordinations and share in our thanksgiving for these three new priests.
May Our Lady, Queen of the Clergy, watch over our
newly ordained priests and all our seminarians,
and obtain for them the graces necessary to
persevere faithfully in their vocation.
God bless you!
~Mater Dei Seminary~
Photographs from the priestly ordinations at Mount St. Michael’s on September 29, 2026.
