Class: Junior
Diocese: Jefferson City
Hometown: Lewistown, MO
Home Parish: Queen of Peace, Ewing
GAGE PHILIP NEISEN
My vocation story starts around my junior year of high school. I had a really influential, young priest at my parish for about two years. I had been an altar server since about sixth grade and this priest really drew me closer to that aspect of Mass. It made me love the idea of serving God’s people in that way. So, this priest and many other priests, family members and friends drew me closer to the Catholic faith and after one year at a secular college I decided I would enter the seminary to discern God’s will in my life.
Favorite Quote or Bible Verse
“For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the LORD—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Fun Fact
The first priest to say Mass at my home parish was Father Augustus Tolton, the first African American priest to be ordained in the United States.