My name is Br. Jeremy Burke. I was born in Minneapolis, MN. While in Algonac, MI (my home for the last 15 years), St. Catherine of Alexandria Church was my home parish. I graduated from Madonna University in 2006 with two majors: Religious Studies and Sign Language Studies. This past year, I was a Program Educator at a YMCA camp near Jackson, MI. 

In the three years after  my graduation, I traveled a journey of self-discovery and real-life experience. I found myself drawn to teaching and preaching, and I enjoy learning—each of which found a home in the Dominican charism. The grace of God now labels me as a Dominican Novice in Denver, CO.

My name is Br. Jose O. Cuellar and I am from Chihuahua, Mexico. My home parish is St. Rafael the Archangel. I was in the diocesan seminary for 11 years. I graduated in June, 2009 with a Masters Degree in Philosophy and Theology.  I came to know of the Dominicans when I met Br. Bryan Guadalupe in Milwaukee, WI.

Mi nombre es Fray Jose O. Cuellar soy originario de Chihuahua, Mexico. Mi parroquia es San Rafael Arcangel. Estudie en diferentes seminarios diocesanos por 11 años donde termine mis estudios de filosofia y teologia. Conoci a la Orden de los Dominicos en Milwaukee, Wisconsin, por el Padre Brayan Guadalupe O.P.

My name is Br. Wesley Dessonville. I am originally from Dawson, MN, but have spent the past three years in Fargo, ND teaching senior high religion and philosophy at Shanley High School. I received my undergraduate degree in 2005 from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND with majors in Theology and Pastoral Ministry and minors in Philosophy and Religious Education.

During my third year of teaching a class on vocations and discernment, I began to experience a restlessness that only the idea of religious life could satisfy. I used my classroom resource magazine, Visions, to find out more. It was through Visions that I met the order and began my adventure.

My name is Br. Patrick Hyde. I am from St. Louis, MO and a member of St. Clement Parish. I graduated from the University of Richmond in 2008 with a bachelors of art in Journalism and Latin. I spent the last year in Northeastern Arizona on the Navajo Indian Reservation as a volunteer teacher through Mercy Volunteer Corps. On the reservation, I taught middle school English and religion at St. Michael Indian School, a school founded by St. Katherine Drexel.

I met the Order online but fell in love with the province and Order after attending a Come and See in St. Louis (even though I did not know the Order was present in my hometown) and visiting St. Pius V in Chicago.

My name is Br. James Dominic Rooney. I am from Toledo, OH and hail from the parish of St. Rose in Perrysburg. I recently completed my bachelors of philosophy at the Catholic University of America in 2008. This past year I completed my Masters’ degree in philosophy, studying at the University of Toledo.

I have had a long-standing attraction to the Order, but I first met the friars at St. Pius V in Chicago while I was visiting colleges in my junior year of high school. There I met Br. Benedict Baer and the senior community, who made clear to me that I was being called to life in the Order of Friars Preachers. Finally, God’s Providence has led me to a place I feel at home.

My name is Br. Thomas Stark. I grew up the second of  four boys in Des Moines, Iowa. I attended Creighton University where I completed a Bachelors Degree in Theology and my J.D. After practicing law in Washington, D.C., I was a lay missionary in Indonesia from 2003-05 where I worked with an order of religious sisters, the Canossian Daughters of Charity.

The Dominicans’ distinctive tradition, commitment to excellence, and history of distinguished leadership within the Church were very compelling to me.  After meeting the community of Student Brothers in formation, the choice was easy.