New priests find challenges and graces in first assignments

(Source: The-Tidings, Written by JANIS NELSON) 

Nearly 300 guests filled the Serra Center at Blessed Junípero Serra Church in Camarillo on Sept. 17 for the 60th annual Ordinati Day Luncheon honoring three new archdiocesan priests. 

Hosted for the first time by the San Buenaventura Serra Club, the annual event gives recently ordained priests an opportunity to look back on their first few months as priests and share some of their thoughts and experiences with those in attendance. This year's honorees were Fathers Lazaro Garcia Revilla, Raymond Marquez and Bao Huy Nguyen. [They were ordained on June 5, 2010 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles]

A former respiratory therapist before entering the seminary, Father Revilla noted that he finds the demands of priesthood to be challenging, but that he also finds strength and purpose in the graces of God each day during his first assignment at St. Mariana de Paredes Church, Pico Rivera

"My family and so many people walked with me though the journey to priesthood while praying for me," Father Revilla recalled. "Now as a priest, I encounter many who need my prayers. Only by the grace of God can I understand why I am here and get through each day's challenges." 

Father Marquez, a former social worker, says he is humbled by his early experiences as a priest at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Santa Clarita, especially the sacramental aspects of his priesthood.

"In confession - it is so humbling for us - the people are being so vulnerable and open," he said. "During Mass, when I see my reflection in the chalice, I realize again what a blessing and gift I have been given to be able to serve and give my life this way."

Father Nguyen agreed that one of the most surprising things of the first few months of his priesthood is the level of trust people give him as their priest. A native of Saigon, Vietnam, and a former computer engineer, Father Nguyen says he is both humbled and honored to serve in the priesthood at St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Lomita.

"Growing up in Vietnam, as a child I saw a lot of suffering and have always had the desire to help other people," Nguyen said. "I considered becoming a lawyer so I could work to change laws, but somehow I was led to the priestly vocation to instead help people form a conscience." He cannot imagine doing anything else now, he said, and called celebrating the Mass the greatest honor that the priesthood has brought him.

Cardinal Roger Mahony thanked the Serra Clubs for their continuing work in encouraging vocations. 

"The work of fostering vocations is so important to the work of the church, and Serrans are a visible reminder in our Catholic communities to promote vocations to both priesthood and religious life in our parishes, and for inviting young men to consider priesthood," Cardinal Mahony said, emphasizing that a personal invitation can sometimes affirm the call to men who may feel unsure.

For the three new priests honored, their lives of service only recently begun, their sense of purpose and resolve amid the awareness of their own limitations was summed up clearly by Father Nguyen.

"God is doing the work and I am only a pencil in his hand," he said. "He can write straight on crooked lines."