In May 2026, five Newman alumni were ordained priests for the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, while two others were ordained transitional deacons.
The following Newman graduates were ordained to the priesthood by the Most Rev. Bishop Carl A. Kemme on May 23 at the Church of the Magdalen: Rev. Peter Bergkamp ‘21, Rev. Isaac Hilger ‘22, Rev. Jacob McGuire ‘22, Rev. Luke Meyerhoff ‘22 and Rev. Koby Nguyen ‘20. They were joined by Rev. Kyle Demel, who was also ordained that day.
Earlier in the week, on May 21, Newman graduates Deacon Dominic Jirak ‘23 and Deacon Conrad Sissell ‘23 were ordained transitional deacons at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
The witness of these seven graduates reflects a message Kemme shared with Newman University graduates during the university’s recent Baccalaureate Mass. There, he encouraged the new alumni to embrace their individual vocations and engage fully in God’s mission.
“For us to live out Newman’s mission to transform society means to change and improve our culture,” Kemme said. “The mission of the church (is) to create and recreate a culture and society that is more just, loving, life-giving … and each of us have a part to play in that mission.”
A shared mission between Newman and the diocese
These answered vocational calls speak to Newman’s strong and continued partnership with the diocese through St. Joseph’s House of Formation, which began nearly 10 years ago. The collaboration was designed to educate and form future priests at Newman University in Wichita in order to prepare them for major seminary and service throughout the Church.
Nearly all of the newly ordained 2026 Wichita priests completed their undergraduate degrees in philosophy for theological studies at Newman while living at the House of Formation.
Celebrating their first assignments as priests
On June 4, the five priests received their first assignments, which they will begin on July 1, 2026.
Though each man’s path to ordination was unique, a common thread emerged from their reflections: a desire to serve God’s people.
For Bergkamp, the journey revealed God’s steady guidance.
“God has slowly and surely prepared me for this moment,” he said. “As I look back on my journey to this point and reflect, I can see God’s hand in it in ways I did not expect.”
Now serving as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Lourdes in Pittsburg, Kansas, Bergkamp said he is most excited about becoming a spiritual father.
Hilger, who was appointed as the parochial vicar at Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Wichita, described seminary as “the greatest adventure of my life.”
“(I’ve learned) so much about myself and the Lord, getting to see so many wonderful places and — above all — getting to meet so many amazing people,” Hilger said.
He looks forward to serving as “a bridge from the father to the people of this diocese” through the sacraments, especially Mass and confession, where he can serve as a channel for God’s forgiveness, he said.
McGuire, who will serve at St. Mary Parish in Derby, recalled his uncertainty for the future when he arrived in Wichita as a seminarian.
“I was very nervous for several reasons,” McGuire said. “But at this point, I can easily call Wichita home.”
He said he is excited to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation and help others experience God’s mercy.
“I am perhaps even more excited about offering confession,” McGuire said.
For Meyerhoff, who was assigned to St. Catherine of Siena in Wichita, the power of prayer stands above all else.
“Prayers really are effective,” Meyerhoff said. “It takes many souls to make a priest.”
Meyerhoff is eager to accompany parishioners through life’s joys and struggles while witnessing God’s work in their lives, he said.
Nguyen was appointed as the parochial vicar at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Wichita. He reflected on the transformative power of surrendering to God’s will.
“Vulnerability to the love and mercy of Christ has been the focal point of my formation,” Nguyen said.
While he is eager to celebrate the sacraments, his deepest desire remains personal union with Christ.
“To be with Jesus, to be conformed to him in the most intimate and animating part of myself: in my soul,” Nguyen said.
New deacons prepare for lifetime of ministry
For the newly ordained transitional deacons, ordination marks another significant step toward the priesthood.
Jirak said seminary helped him discover the gifts God placed within him and deepen his relationship with Christ.
“Seminary gave me the opportunity to grow into myself; it is probably the greatest gift seminary has given me,” Jirak said.
As he begins diaconal ministry, he is particularly excited about celebrating baptisms — a sacrament that “allows for a child to be a child of God,” he said.
Sissell summarized his years of formation in a single word: trust.
“The Lord has asked me, and will continue to ask me, to deepen my trust in him each and every day,” Sissel.
As a deacon, he most looks forward to serving at the altar and proclaiming the Gospel.
“And most of all, to prepare the altar for the priest to offer the sacrifice of the Mass,” Sissell said.
