Seminarian profile: Chase Riecker

Seminary: Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri

Projected ordination year: Priesthood Ordination Class of 2027

Home Parish: St. Isidore the Farmer Parish, Celestine

Parents: Bryan and Gina Riecker

Siblings (and their spouses/children): I have two older siblings, Jasmine Clark and Cameron Riecker. The oldest, Jasmine, is married to Nathan Clark, and they have two children, Sophia, 4, and Weston, five months old. Cameron is married to Jessica Steinke. They have a daughter, Celine, 1. I have three younger siblings, Ty, Cassidy and Destin. Ty, 21, is currently attending school to become a chiropractor. Cassidy, 16, is a junior at Northeast Dubois High School, along with the youngest of the family, Destin, 15, is a sophomore.

High School / College (prior to seminary):

Northeast Dubois High School in Dubois

Favorite meal or snack: Scrambled eggs and bacon

What I do in my “down time:” In my downtime, I enjoy reading, going on hikes, watching movies, cards, and playing basketball

Bucket list vacation destination: For my bucket list vacation, I would like to go to Annecy, France. My Confirmation saint, St. Francis de Sales, is buried there in the Basilica of the Visitation.

The priest or deacon who baptized you: Father Tom Kessler

The priest who heard your First Confession: Father Ron Kreilein

Your Confirmation Saint: For my Confirmation saint, I chose St. Francis de Sales. I chose this saint because of his undying pastoral zeal for the salvation of souls.

Favorite Bible verse: My favorite verse from Sacred Scripture is, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. However, if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:24). This is my favorite verse from Sacred Scripture because it perfectly encapsulates the sacrificial elements of the love of Jesus Christ and its communication to our own lives.