Josh Elmore
Home Parish:  Holy Childhood of Jesus, Mascoutah, Illinois

Seminary
Kenrick-Glennon Seminary
5200 Glennon Drive
St. Louis, MO  63119

I am currently a Pre-Theology 1 student from the Diocese of Belleville at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary. I grew up in Mascoutah, Illinois, as a member of Holy Childhood of Jesus Parish. I am supported by two wonderful parents and two older siblings. I graduated from Mascoutah High School in 2015 where I participated in a variety of extracurriculars, such as cross country and show choir. I went on to earn my Bachelor of Accounting at Maryville University in December 2019. 

During my time at Maryville University is when my faith came to blossom. Through a simple decision to go to the chapel early one morning to pray, God grabbed my heart and began to draw me close through daily prayer. Eventually, the desire to go to daily Mass grew and I found myself going to Mass daily at the St. Louis Abbey or on campus at Maryville. Witnessing the faith of the monks at the abbey and of the chaplain at Maryville helped me grow in a desire for holiness. I eventually found myself joining the monks at St. Louis Abbey for Vespers most evenings, which helped me grow in my love for liturgy, the psalms, and ultimately God. I also had the support of a few holy friends to help urge me forward in my quest for holiness.

After graduating from Maryville University, I worked at the Coalition for Life St. Louis until starting at Kenrick. The experience was incredible because I had the opportunity to minister to women seeking abortions in order to help them choose life-affirming options and use my accounting degree to help the pro-life movement as well. Thank you for taking the time to learn a little bit about me! God Bless!