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Current Seminarians & Their Sponsors
Yako Alexie Pavila
Spouse: Martha Yako graduated high school in his home village of Tuntutuliak in 1988 and came to St. Herman's that fall for one semester, after which he ran out of money and was too homesick to remain in Kodiak. Back in Tuntutuliak, he worked at various times as a village health aide, substitute teacher, and secretary for the tribal council. While in Tuntutuliak, he met and married Martha, a widow with five children. After the death of his infant son, Yako and Martha adopted three more children, including one in August, 2009. After 20 years of being away from seminary, Yako decided to return with the full and enthusiastic support of his priest, parents, wife, and kids. Six of the children are with the family in Kodiak. Martha's oldest (16 and 19) are staying in Tuntutuliak for now. While growing up, Yako was very involved in church, singing in the choir from a very young age, and being taught to read by his uncles. One Liturgy, when he was leading the choir as a 15 year-old, he decided to try the Cherubic Hymn in English; after multiple mispronunciations, Fr. Philip Alexie came out from the altar rather irritated and ordered him to do it in Yup'ik. It was from around this time that Yako decided he wanted to come to seminary. Yako finds the biggest challenge of living in Kodiak is keeping a watchful eye on all of his kids and their various activities, especially as they get older. According to him, the greatest aspect of the priesthood is being a good example to your flock, and Yako certainly sets an example by having all of his kids regularly attend daily vespers. This year, he looks forward to learning how to conduct a choir and to earning his reader's certificate. Asked if he'll be a priest some day, his only answer was, "I'll leave that up to God!"
2421 Perry St. • Wichita, KS
67204 |
Birth Date: 9-5-70