PHOTOS: 2026 Seminarian Retreat and Sendoff

August 7, 2026

by Riley Johnson

The 25 young men discerning the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Omaha will soon begin their academic year at six seminaries.

Following a summer working with youth, serving parishes and helping in other ministries, the largest class of seminarians in five years traveled to the Archdiocese of Chicago in late July for their annual end of summer retreat.

During the retreat, they enjoyed prayer and fellowship, exploring Mundelein Seminary, sightseeing on a Chicago architecture boat tour and taking in a Chicago White Sox game.

Back home, they gathered with their families for Mass, a lunch, and fellowship at St. Patrick Church in Elkhorn on Aug. 2

The class includes eight new seminarians: Ryan Allen [St. Bonaventure, Columbus], Sean Boyd [St. Wenceslaus, Omaha], Jake Demuth [St. Bonaventure, Columbus], Joshua Franco [Christ the King, Omaha], Isaiah Miller [St. Michael, Albion], Levi Riedel [St. Stephen the Martyr, Omaha], Caleb Ridder [St. Mary, West Point] and Lloyd Warren [St. Wenceslaus, Omaha].