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Class of 2013
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New priests: ‘Helping people experience the reality and love of God’
Written by Mike Nelson Friday, 31 May 2013
Two natives of Mexico who were educated in Mexico and Southern California will be ordained June 1 to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
Archbishop José Gomez will ordain Fathers Cesar Magallón and Ismael Robles in a morning Mass celebrated at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Both have completed their theological formation at St. John's Seminary in Camarillo, including year-long internships at parishes throughout the archdiocese, and recently completed service as transitional deacons.
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Following are brief profiles of the new priests, who will begin their first assignments as associate pastors on July 1.Fr. Cesar Magallón-Bernal
Age: 36, born in Uruapan, Michoacán, Mexico.
Parents: Roberto Magallón and Rufina Bernal.
Education: Diocesan Minor Seminary in Zamora, Michoacán; Diocesan Major Seminary in Guadalajara, Jalisco.
Other Careers/Professions: pastoral ministry in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, including director of religious education at St. Gertrude the Great Church (2006-11).
Home parish: St. Gertrude the Great, Bell Gardens.
Internship: Holy Angels, Arcadia.
Transitional Diaconate: Corpus Christi, Pacific Palisades.
First Mass as priest: June 2, 1 p.m. at St. Gertrude the Great.
First Assignment: Our Lady of Guadalupe, Santa Barbara.
On becoming a priest: “My call to become a priest originated when I was 14 years old. I was asked by a couple of women religious if I had ever considered becoming a priest. I truly believe that these women planted a seed, and I just couldn’t get the idea out of my head.
“As time went on, and through so many blessings and challenges which I have faced throughout my seminary formation, I truly believe that God has called me to invite those around me to get closer to him. The truth is, all of us need to be closer to God, and one of the ways to achieve this is through the sacraments. I look forward to ministering to those whom the Lord entrusts to my care so that they remain closer to God as I will along with them.”
Fr. Ismael Robles
Age: 28, born in Zacatecas, Mexico.
Parents: Raquel and Alberto Robles.
Education: Westchester High School; El Camino Community College; UCLA; Cal State Dominguez Hills (Bachelor of arts in Psychology and Philosophy); Creighton University; St. John’s Seminary.
Other Careers/Professions: Teacher, Junipero Serra High School; entrepreneur, landscape design and installation.
Home parish: St. John Chrysostom, Inglewood.
Internship: St. John Vianney, Hacienda Heights.
Transitional Diaconate: St. John Vianney.
First Mass as priest: June 2, 5:30 p.m. at St. John Chrysostom.
First Assignment: St. Pius X, Santa Fe Springs.
On becoming a priest: “My inspiration for becoming a priest is serving God and God’s people. This means being an instrument of God’s peace; it means administering the sacraments; it means helping people experience the reality and love of God in their lives.
“It means being a bridge connecting people to Christ and Christ to people, to be a healer, to be a prophetic voice, to be a man of prayer, to challenge and encourage others to grow in holiness, to serve humbly as I grow in relationship with Christ and walk the journey with the people of God.”
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