Welcome Our Newest Seminarians and Religious

Mundelein Seminary has assigned us two new seminarians as part of their Tolton Teaching Parish Program. Just like we traveled with Fathers Tom Heathershaw, Ryan Brady and David Jameson in their seminary years, we’ll be able to journey with both JohnPaul Stedwill and Jonathan Puckett. It’s a true blessing for our parish to be entrusted with this part of their seminary formation. 
 

JohnPaul Stedwill

1^st Theology, Diocese of Peoria
 
My name is JohnPaul Stedwill and I'm from the city of Peoria where my parents raised my six siblings and me in a faithful Catholic family.
 
I had the blessing of receiving Catholic education in elementary and high school along with having the opportunity to complete my undergraduate degree at Benedictine College in Atchison, KS. While at Benedictine, I studied biology and chemistry in preparation for applying to medical school; however, after achieving my dream of being accepted to the University of Kansas Medical School to become a doctor, a healer of the bodies, I heard a deeper calling in my heart from the Lord to become a healer of souls as a priest.
 
I entered seminary and completed my first two years of formation at Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD and I have continued to be amazed at the ways the Lord has been working in my life.
 
I look forward to meeting all the lay faithful and priests at St. Hubert's Parish and to begin learning from you and serving you all as I allow the Lord to continue molding my heart after his own son, Jesus Christ, to, God-willing, be ordained in 2026. 
 

Jonathan Puckett

2^nd Pre-Theology, Diocese of Peoria
 
Originally from Richland, Mississippi, I became Catholic as a senior in high school after a friend took me to Mass. I was struck with wonder at the Mass, and that day (September 29, 2015) I had an encounter with Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I came into Full Communion during the Easter Vigil in 2016 after going through RCIA. I first felt called to the priesthood following this conversion, and in particular, while in Eucharistic Adoration.
 
Not wanting to mistake the initial zeal of my Faith with a call to Holy Orders, I waited several years and completed bachelor’s programs at the University of Southern Mississippi before entering seminary. All this time, a gentle nudging in my heart was urging me toward the priesthood. Gazing upon Our Eucharistic Lord granted me much consolation where there had been doubt.
 
In August 2020, I moved to Illinois to continue my education. In the second week after my arrival, I visited Ven. Fulton J. Sheen’s shrine at Peoria’s cathedral and entrusted my stay in the Midwest to his prayers. Within a month, Ven. Sheen provided me with a spiritual advisor, and I received the clarity and peace necessary to enter the seminary. For me, discerning my vocation has been a gradual process of abandonment to God.