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Meet our Seminarians...

"You did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide..." (cf. Jn. 15:16)

 

 

 

Mr. Preston-Jay Castro (Pastoral Year)

Preston Castro comes from St. Joseph Parish, Waipahu, and was raised by his grandparents, Roland and Edith Pascua, after his mother's passing.  Preston has two younger sisters, a nephew and niece.

Before becoming a seminarian for the Diocese of Honolulu, Preston was studying to become an elementary teacher.  However, because of a promise he had made to his late mother to fulfill her dreams of him becoming a paramedic, he experienced a renewal in his faith, which eventually put him on the path to becoming a "paramedic" of souls, through the ministry of sacraments.

Preston graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy from Mount Angel Abbey & Seminary, in Oregon (2018), and is currently on pastoral year.

 

 

 

Mr. Kurt Meyer (Theology II, Saint Patrick's Seminary, Menlo Park)

Kurt Meyer was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Frederick and Rebeca Meyer. He has an older brother, two older sisters and a younger brother. Kurt is a long-time parishioner from St. Philomena Church in Salt Lake, Oahu. He is an alumnus of Radford High School and graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration degree. Kurt worked in the business world for several years before entering St. Patrick Seminary & University in Menlo Park, California, in 2017.

Kurt is currently in Theology II at St. Patrick’s Seminary and University.

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Hai “Francis” Pham (Theology II, St. Patrick’s Seminary, Menlo Park, CA)

Francis Hai Pham was born in Vietnam. He is the second of eight children of his parents, Joseph Hoang Pham and Theresa Khuong Nguyen. After High School, Francis went to Saigon for his education and to work. Francis joined the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel in New York. He served as a brother in the Carmelite Order for several years and completed his Philosophy studies with the Jesuit Scholasticate in Saigon. After a long period of prayer, discernment, and spiritual direction, he left the Carmelite Order and worked for a few years. He applied and was accepted by the Diocese of Honolulu in 2019.

Francis is currently in Theology II at St Patrick’s Seminary and University.

 

 

 

Mr. Lawrence “Larry” Denis III (Theology I, Saint Patrick's Seminary, Menlo Park)

Lawrence Denis III comes from Waikoloa, Hawaii although he was born and raised in Hilo. His parish is Annunciation in Kamuela. He attended St. Joseph School in Hilo from Kindergarten through his Senior Year. He attended Hawaii Community College and is a graduate of the University of Hawaii at Hilo where he majored in Political Science, and then got his teaching certificate in elementary education. He later went back for his Masters in Education. He taught at public schools in both Hilo and Waikoloa for a total of 15 years before entering the seminary. He enjoys spending time with his parents, sister, as well as his family and friends.

Larry is currently in Theology I at St. Patrick’s Seminary and University.

 

 

 

Mr. Taylor Mitchell (Saint Patrick's Seminary, Menlo Park)

Taylor Mitchell was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Wayne and Glenda Mitchell.  He is a parishioner of St. John Apostle and Evangelist Parish, Mililani. Taylor entered into priestly formation as a college seminarian for the Diocese of Honolulu in 2018. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy.

Taylor is currently in College IV (last year) at Mount Angel Abbey & Seminary.

 

Mr. Edgar Pobre (Saint Patrick's Seminary, Menlo Park)

Edgar was born on 1996 in Honolulu, to Shirly and Edgardo Pobre. He grew up in Waipahu his entire life, having attended Waipahu Elementary, Waipahu Intermediate, and graduated from Waipahu High School in 2014. His home parish is St. Joseph Church Waipahu, where he has served as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, as well as a youth and young adult minister and a religious education catechist. Prior to entering the seminary, Edgar worked various jobs, and attended Leeward Community College, studying to become a high school English teacher.

Edgar is currently in College II at Mount Angel Abbey & Seminary.

 

 

 

 

 

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