We would like to print a list or do stories of other alumni in ministry. Send your info to: bison1973@yahoo.com.  Information for these highlights came from stories by Dawn Cribbs at mccookgazette.com  

 The Rev.  Adam Sughroue ‘02

Adam Sughroue graduated from McCook Community College with an associate’s degree in elementary education in 2004. He had planned to get a four-year degree to teach. However, because he had often thought about the priesthood, he changed directions and entered St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward.  Following his studies at St. Greg’s he traveled to the East Coast, where he spent the next four years studying at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmetsburg, Maryland, receiving a Master’s degree in Theology . On May 28, 2010, Adam was ordained as a transitional deacon. He was ordained into the priesthood at the Cathedral of the Risen Christ in Lincoln. The next day he delivered his first Mass, the Mass of Thanksgiving at his home parish, St. Patrick Catholic Church in McCook.  Adam is serving in the Lincoln diocese at St. John’s Parish,  as an assistant pastor and is teaching religion at St John the Apostle School.

Adam says, “Four years on the coast showed me that there’s no place like small town Nebraska. The coast was interesting and I’m glad I had the experience, but it is great to be home.”

The Rev.  Neal Hock ‘96

As a senior in high school, Neal had thoughts about being a priest.  He decided, however, to go to the university and following graduation, became an accountant for a grain company. Then, Sept. 11, 2001!  He began to think about his own mortality and realized how quickly, and without notice, death can descend upon us.  Neal turned to prayer to find answers from God.  He was led to become a priest and to return to the path he now sees as God’s plan all along.

Neal went to Conception Seminary College in Conception, Missouri, continued his seminary life in Rome, Italy and on Oct. 7, 2010, in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, was ordained as a deacon. He was ordained as a Roman Catholic Priest on June 10, 2011 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Grand Island. His first Mass was presented the following day, at his home parish, St. Patrick Catholic Church in McCook. He returned to Rome in October to complete his license degree. Sponsored by the diocese of Grand Island, Neal will move back to Nebraska in June 2012, and will be assigned to his first parish within the diocese’s boundaries.