Deacon Kuhn, 48, was born in Quincy, the son of Barbara Ann and the late Thomas Kuhn. He grew up in Mendon and his family belonged to St. Edward the Confessor Parish there. He has five brothers and two sisters, one of whom is Aaron Kuhn, currently a seminarian for the Springfield diocese.

Deacon Kuhn attended Mendon Elementary School and the former St. John the Baptist School in Quincy and then graduated from Quincy Notre Dame High School in 1983.

Before entering the seminary, Deacon Kuhn received bachelor of science and master of science degrees in dairy science and animal breeding from the University of Illinois-Champaign/Urbana and a Ph.D. in animal breeding and genetics from Iowa State University. He now considers St. Benedict Parish, Yankton, S.D., as his home parish.

The newly-ordained father Kuhn will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 22, at St. Edward the Confessor Church in Mendon. A reception will follow at 3 p.m. at Quincy Notre Dame High School in Quincy. Family and friends are invited.