Fr. Anthony Yates was ordained a priest in 2010 and since that time has served at St. Simon the Apostle Parish, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, and at St. Clare of Assisi Parish before coming to St. Joseph Parish in 2024. In addition to shepherding our Parish, Fr. Yates is an adjunct faculty member at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary. He teaches seminarians in third theology who are preparing for the transitional diaconate. His class is the Deacon Practicum, so he teaches how to celebrate baptisms, weddings, funerals, and all the other liturgical matters. Fr. Yates believes it is truly a blessing to share in the formation of seminarians. He is also a Pastor Supervisor for the Pastoral Internship Program. Fr. Yates is the oldest of his 3 siblings and 3 stepsiblings. His brother and two sisters are all married; Fr. Yates has one niece and two nephews whom he loves visiting. He grew up in North St. Louis County in Spanish Lake during grade school and West St. Louis County in high school, graduating from Marquette High School in Chesterfield and Lindenwood University for undergraduate. In high school and college, he worked for Target in various management roles and discerned Seminary in 2005. He likes to say he traded in his red shirt for a black shirt! In his free time he enjoys visiting with priest friends for a nice meal out, exercising, cooking, and going to theatre such as the Muny or Fox.
Sr. Carol Sansone, ASCJ, Principal
A native of St. Louis, Sr. Carol lived with her family on The Hill and attended St. Ambrose School and Cor Jesu Academy. Following a year in the workforce, she entered the Congregation of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Hamden, CT. She earned a B.A. from Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, CT. Sr. Carol also has an M.A. from Fordham University, where she studied History and Political Science, and an M.A. in Education and Administration from St. Louis University.
As an Apostle of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Sr. Carol’s past ministries have included teaching and administration on the secondary and elementary levels in CT, NY, NJ, and MO. Her St. Louis experiences include Cor Jesu Academy, St. Ambrose, and St. Catherine Laboure. Sr. Carol has been at Saint Joseph School since 2016.
Rev. Jonathan R. Ruzicka, Associate Pastor
Fr. Ruzicka was raised in south Saint Louis City. He is the youngest of four children born to John and Jeanne Ruzicka. Although he was baptized and raised Catholic, he did not fully embrace the Catholic Faith until he attended a youth retreat as an 8th Grader.
During his sophomore year of high school, Jack felt a subtle yet profound call to serve God as a priest after a life-changing experience in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. After graduating from Saint Mary’s High School in May of 2013, he entered Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in August of that same year. He graduated from Cardinal Glennon College Seminary in May 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy. In May 2021, he graduated from Kenrick School of Theology with an M.A. in Theology and Divinity.
Father Ruzicka was ordained to the Holy Priesthood on May 29, 2021 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. In addition to serving as our associate pastor, he is also the part time chaplain of Saint Pius X High School in Festus. St. Joseph Parish holds a special place in Fr. Ruzicka’s heart, as he previously served here as a full-time intern from 2018-2019. He is honored to serve the good people of St. Joseph as a priest! “I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?” (2 Corinthians 12:15).
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