By Tim Wenzl

Southwest Kansas Register

Two new seminarians, both members of the Knights of Columbus, began studying for the priesthood for the Diocese of Dodge City recently.

Don Bedore from St. Lawrence Parish, Jetmore, and Joe Hagood from Holy Rosary, Medicine Lodge, are now enrolled at Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Both men are members of the Knights of Columbus. Bedore has served as Grand Knight for the Hanston-Jetmore Council 3218 and Hagood is a Fourth Degree member of Garden City Council 2795.

Bedore is the son of Lawrence and Joyce Bedore of Stockton. He was born in Stockton, the youngest of four children. His brother Dennis lives in Stockton, his sister, Martha Talbott lives in Irving, TX, and his twin sister, Nancy Cary, lives in Downs.

He attended Colby Community College and graduated from Wichita State University with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education. He moved to Jetmore after college when he accepted the position of band director at Jetmore High School. He worked for the Dodge City Coop in Jetmore and most recently at the Jetmore Food Center where he has been a meat cutter for 15 years.

"I’ve had a certain sense that God had something special for me for the last eight or 10 years," Bedore said. "I actually heard the call to the priesthood in the fall of 2003. It took over a year for me to get used to the idea. I guess I was a tough nut to crack.

"I’ve prayed for a long time that I wanted God’s will done in my life, whatever that is. When I found out what His will was, there wasn’t much to do but follow. A year ago, I wasn’t quite ready to go. After a lot of time spent in prayer, I have gradually overcome the obstacles that have stood in the way…."

Hagood is the son of John and Barbara Hagood of Holy Rosary Parish, Medicine Lodge. He was born in Fort Scott and moved with his family to first St. John and then Medicine Lodge. He is the youngest of three children. His sister Christina Hagood lives in Overland Park and his sister, Mary Lunsford lives in Fort Smith, Ark.

Hagood graduated from Fort Hays State University with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics. He has taught mathematics at Haysville Alternative High School, Holcomb High School, and most recently, Garden City High School.

"I attended St. Mary’s School in Fort Scott," said Hagood. "There were definitely times during morning Masses where I would be watching the priest and think, ‘It would cool be to celebrate Mass.’ But it wasn’t until I was in college, and during the summer of 2000 when I taught Totus Tuus that I gave much thought and prayer to my vocation. That is when I first started thinking about the priesthood."