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October 3, 2025The six new seminarians in formation for the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon are coming from diverse situations to begin the academic year in intensive discernment. Two current seminarians are continuing their introductory formation in the propaedeutic stage as well. They have all moved to new cities and are looking forward to focusing on the Lord’s call for their vocation. Director of the Office of Vocations, Fr. Peter Julia, said, “These men give me great hope for the future of the Church!”
Stephen Coutcher came to the archdiocese from West Warwick, Rhode Island. Stephen is serving a pastoral year at Christ the King Parish in Milwaukee to gain experience in parish administration and ministry. He said,
“To be a seminarian for the Archdiocese is a true privilege. Archbishop Sample makes a point to get to know each of us personally and be available to us for anything we may need, something that seminarians in other dioceses may not have the opportunity to experience.”
Lotanna Ezeonu left an engineering career to further discern his vocation with the archdiocese. Originally from Nnobi, Anambra in Nigeria, he calls Holy Trinity Parish in Beaverton his archdiocesan home. He is attending the propaedeutic stage at St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, California.
Tom Kloucek spent several years discerning formation for the archdiocese before completing his application. Growing up in Holy Trinity Parish in Beaverton, he is now attending the propaedeutic stage at Mount Angel Seminary in Mount Angel, Oregon. He said,
“I am grateful to have been given this time to study and to pray in seminary so that one day I can be a member of the priesthood of Jesus Christ.”
Luis Mercado-Olvera discerned becoming a seminarian for the archdiocese while in high school. He completed his application in March and graduated in May. With great support from his home parish of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Aloha, he is enrolled at Mount Angel Seminary in Mount Angel, Oregon for his propaedeutic stage. He said,
“Being a seminarian for Portland is truly a gift. One might say that Portland is a dark place, but that only motivates me to be more of a Christ figure to those who are troubled and struggling. This formation will help me to love those who feel lost and unloved by the world.”
Gino Morella initially began formation with a religious order that he met in college. Discerning a call to the diocesan priesthood, he chose to become part of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon. He will complete the propaedeutic stage St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, California.
Jonathan Olmos Rodrigues began his formation for the archdiocese straight out of high school last year from his home parish at St. Cecilia Parish, in Beaverton. After a year at Bishop White Seminary in Spokane, Washington, he transferred to St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, California to complete his propaedeutic stage.
Thomas Perry studied his way into the Catholic Church and found peace in discerning diocesan priesthood. St. Patrick Parish in Portland is his home parish. Beginning the propaedeutic stage at Mount Angel Seminary in Mount Angel, Oregon in July, he was very happy with life on “the hilltop.” He said,
“It’s such a wonderful opportunity and blessing to be here at Mt. Angel! There is a lot of prayer, fun, and peace. Many people
come to the hilltop to “seek things above”, whether they be students, professors, monks, and priests.”Tom Rehfeldt became a seminarian for the archdiocese last year. He completed a pastoral year at his home parish of St. Juan Diego Parish in Beaverton and is now continuing his formation at Mount Angel Seminary in Mount Angel, Oregon in the propaedeutic stage. He said,
“Being a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Portland has brought me immense peace and joy. Many of our priests, seminarians, and faithful have shown me what it means to serve God with an undivided heart.”
All of the seminarians are grateful for the continuous prayers and financial support they receive from parishioners of the archdiocese. Mr. Coutcher was impressed by people he has met in the Archdiocese of Portland. He said, “The people of God continually pray for us and always receive us with generosity and kindness.” This generosity has been demonstrated tangibly through the donations made to the Archdiocese’s Seminarian Appeal, which provides for the men in formation to be priests for the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon. The 2025 Seminarian Appeal will be highlighted in parishes on Priesthood Sunday, September 28.