Follow Me: Journeys to Priesthood
Oct. 2013 - Produced by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Featuring LA seminarians, priests, and the Archbishop Priest Retirement FundMay 2014 - Produced by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Featuring Fr. Jerry |
NEWS AND EVENTS
"Congratulations to our Newly Ordained"
In the picture: Newly Ordained from left to right, Rev. Juan José Ochoa, Rev. Andrew Seungku Chung, Abp. José H. Gomez, Rev. Christopher Mario Felix, Rev. John Adrian Palmer.
Picture courtesy of Juan Martin Barajas, Seminarian
Archdiocese of Los Angeles Ordains Four New Priests
By Kurt Streeter
The four men were dressed in white and cream-colored robes. They knelt on the stone floor, ending up face down in a supplicating sign of obedience and respect. In front of thousands of onlookers, they were about to become Catholic priests.
"Lord have mercy," the crowd chanted, slowly. "Christ have mercy.... Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us...."
It was a ritualized, peak moment during Saturday's ordination — an annual event held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in which seminarians become full-fledged priests, prepared after years of study to serve parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
The event was sober but celebratory, with incense and hymns hanging in the air along with blessings, tears, laughter and a homily in which Archbishop Jose Gomez exhorted the new clerics to hew closely to the virtues of mercy and humility.
When the ceremony was over, the new clerics — three in their 20s and one in his 50s — gave their first public blessings. A crowd of about 3,500 watched the event, and many then lined up to receive the special prayers in a sunny cathedral courtyard.
"Honestly, it's still settling in, it's been such a long journey," said Christopher Felix, 27, taking a break from doling out short prayers. Felix grew up in tough, gang-riddled neighborhoods in the San Fernando Valley.
During part of the ceremony, his parents rose from their seats and he embraced them, clutching them tightly, tears in his eyes as he recalled all that he'd been through growing up. His mother nearly died from serious health issues, one of his friends was shot and barely survived and Felix himself was tempted by the streets before turning his life around.
"Today was such a grace-filled moment," he said. "It's going to take some time to process. But now I am just ready to go to work."
Bald and round-faced, with a wide and engaging smile, Felix soon will be serving as a priest in San Gabriel. His classmates will be spread throughout the archdiocese, the nation's largest with nearly 5 million parishioners. Andrew Chung will help lead a congregation in Pico Rivera. Juan Ochoa has been assigned to a parish in Lynwood. John Palmer, a 54-year-old who was a patent attorney before becoming a priest, will head to Lomita.
Four new priests is significant for the local church — which invests heavily in seminary educations that typically last five to seven years — but archdiocese officials are looking for more.
Even as the number of parishioners climbs, the Roman Catholic church has long struggled with a shortage of priests in the U.S., a falloff that hasn't been helped by sex abuse scandals that have rocked the church in recent years. (Cardinal Roger Mahony, whom some blame for failing to aggressively root out abuse during his tenure as L.A.'s archbishop, was on hand at Saturday's ceremony.) There are currently about 40,000 priests nationwide, according to statistics from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. In 1965, there were about 60,000.
The shortage isn't felt as acutely in Los Angeles, said Father Sam Ward, the diocese's associate director of vocations, partly because the region attracts clerics from outside areas. Still, the diocese is pushing to boost the number ordained locally each year.
Heartened by the number of men who've recently entered the diocese's St. John's Seminary — enrollment hit 92 in the fall of 2013, up from 71 in 2008, an uptick ascribed in part to the popularity of Pope Francis — officials say they expect to soon be ordaining groups of 10 to 12 priests, and possibly more, each year.
"The trend is improving, but we always need more," Ward said. "We need them. New priests give us new energy."
kurt.streeter@latimes.com
Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times
The four men were dressed in white and cream-colored robes. They knelt on the stone floor, ending up face down in a supplicating sign of obedience and respect. In front of thousands of onlookers, they were about to become Catholic priests.
"Lord have mercy," the crowd chanted, slowly. "Christ have mercy.... Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us...."
It was a ritualized, peak moment during Saturday's ordination — an annual event held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in which seminarians become full-fledged priests, prepared after years of study to serve parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
The event was sober but celebratory, with incense and hymns hanging in the air along with blessings, tears, laughter and a homily in which Archbishop Jose Gomez exhorted the new clerics to hew closely to the virtues of mercy and humility.
When the ceremony was over, the new clerics — three in their 20s and one in his 50s — gave their first public blessings. A crowd of about 3,500 watched the event, and many then lined up to receive the special prayers in a sunny cathedral courtyard.
"Honestly, it's still settling in, it's been such a long journey," said Christopher Felix, 27, taking a break from doling out short prayers. Felix grew up in tough, gang-riddled neighborhoods in the San Fernando Valley.
During part of the ceremony, his parents rose from their seats and he embraced them, clutching them tightly, tears in his eyes as he recalled all that he'd been through growing up. His mother nearly died from serious health issues, one of his friends was shot and barely survived and Felix himself was tempted by the streets before turning his life around.
"Today was such a grace-filled moment," he said. "It's going to take some time to process. But now I am just ready to go to work."
Bald and round-faced, with a wide and engaging smile, Felix soon will be serving as a priest in San Gabriel. His classmates will be spread throughout the archdiocese, the nation's largest with nearly 5 million parishioners. Andrew Chung will help lead a congregation in Pico Rivera. Juan Ochoa has been assigned to a parish in Lynwood. John Palmer, a 54-year-old who was a patent attorney before becoming a priest, will head to Lomita.
Four new priests is significant for the local church — which invests heavily in seminary educations that typically last five to seven years — but archdiocese officials are looking for more.
Even as the number of parishioners climbs, the Roman Catholic church has long struggled with a shortage of priests in the U.S., a falloff that hasn't been helped by sex abuse scandals that have rocked the church in recent years. (Cardinal Roger Mahony, whom some blame for failing to aggressively root out abuse during his tenure as L.A.'s archbishop, was on hand at Saturday's ceremony.) There are currently about 40,000 priests nationwide, according to statistics from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. In 1965, there were about 60,000.
The shortage isn't felt as acutely in Los Angeles, said Father Sam Ward, the diocese's associate director of vocations, partly because the region attracts clerics from outside areas. Still, the diocese is pushing to boost the number ordained locally each year.
Heartened by the number of men who've recently entered the diocese's St. John's Seminary — enrollment hit 92 in the fall of 2013, up from 71 in 2008, an uptick ascribed in part to the popularity of Pope Francis — officials say they expect to soon be ordaining groups of 10 to 12 priests, and possibly more, each year.
"The trend is improving, but we always need more," Ward said. "We need them. New priests give us new energy."
kurt.streeter@latimes.com
Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times
Message of Pope Francis
51st World Day of Prayer for Vocations: Vocations, Witness to the Truth
May 11, 2014
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
1. The Gospel says that “Jesus went about all the cities and villages... When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest’” (Mt 9:35-38). These words surprise us, because we all know that it is necessary first to plow, sow and cultivate to then, in due time, reap an abundant harvest. Jesus says instead that “the harvest is plentiful”. But who did the work to bring about these results? There is only one answer: God. Clearly the field of which Jesus is speaking is humanity, us. And the efficacious action which has borne “much fruit” is the grace of God, that is, communion with Him (cf. Jn 15:5). The prayer which Jesus asks of the Church therefore concerns the need to increase the number of those who serve his Kingdom. Saint Paul, who was one of “God’s fellow workers”, tirelessly dedicated himself to the cause of the Gospel and the Church. The Apostle, with the awareness of one who has personally experienced how mysterious God’s saving will is, and how the initiative of grace is the origin of every vocation, reminds the Christians of Corinth: “You are God’s field” (1 Cor 3:9). That is why wonder first arises in our hearts over the plentiful harvest which God alone can bestow; then gratitude for a love that always goes before us; and lastly, adoration for the work that he has accomplished, which requires our free consent in acting with him and for him.
Click here for full story >>
1. The Gospel says that “Jesus went about all the cities and villages... When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest’” (Mt 9:35-38). These words surprise us, because we all know that it is necessary first to plow, sow and cultivate to then, in due time, reap an abundant harvest. Jesus says instead that “the harvest is plentiful”. But who did the work to bring about these results? There is only one answer: God. Clearly the field of which Jesus is speaking is humanity, us. And the efficacious action which has borne “much fruit” is the grace of God, that is, communion with Him (cf. Jn 15:5). The prayer which Jesus asks of the Church therefore concerns the need to increase the number of those who serve his Kingdom. Saint Paul, who was one of “God’s fellow workers”, tirelessly dedicated himself to the cause of the Gospel and the Church. The Apostle, with the awareness of one who has personally experienced how mysterious God’s saving will is, and how the initiative of grace is the origin of every vocation, reminds the Christians of Corinth: “You are God’s field” (1 Cor 3:9). That is why wonder first arises in our hearts over the plentiful harvest which God alone can bestow; then gratitude for a love that always goes before us; and lastly, adoration for the work that he has accomplished, which requires our free consent in acting with him and for him.
Click here for full story >>
Called by Name - Archbishop José H. Gomez
Dear Friends in Christ,
Just as Jesus called his disciples by name, today we are launching a widespread campaign to gather the names of faithful young men who may have a vocation to priesthood.
We believe that our future priests will come from our own parishes and schools, but we need your help to identify them. Will you send the Vocation Office names of men who may have the qualities of a future priest? We are looking for men who are high school sophomores or older.
Click here to submit names
Any man you recommend will receive good information from the Vocation Office about discerning his vocation, as well as invitations to upcoming events.
Thank you for playing a part in helping young men discover God's call. We deeply appreciate your help, and I personally want to thank you for your participation.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Rev. José H. Gomez
Archbishop of Los Angeles
Just as Jesus called his disciples by name, today we are launching a widespread campaign to gather the names of faithful young men who may have a vocation to priesthood.
We believe that our future priests will come from our own parishes and schools, but we need your help to identify them. Will you send the Vocation Office names of men who may have the qualities of a future priest? We are looking for men who are high school sophomores or older.
Click here to submit names
Any man you recommend will receive good information from the Vocation Office about discerning his vocation, as well as invitations to upcoming events.
Thank you for playing a part in helping young men discover God's call. We deeply appreciate your help, and I personally want to thank you for your participation.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Rev. José H. Gomez
Archbishop of Los Angeles
Monthly Discernment MeetingsThese monthly meetings are intended for young men who are interested in pursuing a vocation to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. If you think you might have a priestly vocation, come pray with us and join the discernment journey with other men like you.
We are divided into five pastoral regions led by respective regional vocation directors. You may contact us by filling out the online form here or using the contact information below. For your convenience, you may download the PDF format of this schedule here.
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Santa Barbara Pastoral Region
Fourth Sunday of the month (4:30 pm to end with Mass at 7:00 pm)
with Fr. John Love at
St. Mark University Parish
6550 Picasso Road, Goleta, CA 93117
(805) 968-1078
Fourth Sunday of the month (4:30 pm to end with Mass at 7:00 pm)
with Fr. John Love at
St. Mark University Parish
6550 Picasso Road, Goleta, CA 93117
(805) 968-1078
Institution to the Ministry of Lector
A Seminarian's Reflection
It was quite a busy time here at the Seminary. But I guess I can’t really complain, because really it was all about celebration. At the end of October, one Friday night we welcomed in 20 of our new guys to Candidacy, which means, like I was this time last year, they officially were called by their bishops to be candidates for Holy Orders. And then Saturday morning, my classmates and I were called by our bishops to become instituted Lectors. I can’t say how joyful I was to have my parents here to celebrate with me, the ones who first shared the Word of God with me. And now God has so blessed me as to be called to share it with them somehow!
Click here for full story >>
It was quite a busy time here at the Seminary. But I guess I can’t really complain, because really it was all about celebration. At the end of October, one Friday night we welcomed in 20 of our new guys to Candidacy, which means, like I was this time last year, they officially were called by their bishops to be candidates for Holy Orders. And then Saturday morning, my classmates and I were called by our bishops to become instituted Lectors. I can’t say how joyful I was to have my parents here to celebrate with me, the ones who first shared the Word of God with me. And now God has so blessed me as to be called to share it with them somehow!
Click here for full story >>
