ARCHBISHOP GOMEZ ORDAINS NEW PRIESTS

May 31, 2015  |  By: newsroom  |  Press Releases, The Latest  |  

 

Thousands of faithful from throughout the Archdiocese celebrate the eight newly ordained priest – double the number from 2014

Archbishop José H. Gomez ordained eight new priests today for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles. The men who entered the priesthood are Fr. Gabriel Kang, Fr. Jonathon Meyer, Fr. Juan Cano, Fr. Luis Estrada, Fr. Marinello Saguin, Fr. Parker Sandoval, Fr. Raymont Medina and Fr. Simeon Song.

“Every new priest is a living image of Jesus Christ. And every ordination is a sign of his final promise — that he will be with us until the end of the age,” said Archbishop Gomez during the homily which can be viewed via this link https://youtu.be/5dx7dS_rLMg. Archbishop Gomez called the new priests to “be men of mercy and give of themselves to others with the loving heart of a servant.”

All of the new priests completed their theological formation at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, including service as transitional deacons and year-long internships at Archdiocesan parishes.

“The Holy Spirit is still calling men to give of themselves completely in the service of Christ and his church as priests. In a world of instant self-gratification many Catholic men are still choosing a life of self-sacrifice and service of others,” said Fr. Samuel Ward, Associate Director of Vocations at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. “The Catholic church has great hope for our new priests and the priesthood going forward.”

Upon conclusion of Mass the new priests gave their first public blessings on the Cathedral Plaza surrounded by family, friends, members of their parish communities, their pa
stors and other priest mentors.

Fr. Joo Won Gabriel Kang, 29, from Seoul, Korea, went to Mass with his mother for the first time at the age of five and immediately knew that he wanted to be a priest one day.
Home parish: St. Gregory Nazianzen, Los Angeles | First parish assignment: St. Kateri Tekakwitha, Santa Clarita

Fr. Jonathon Meyer, 29, of Torrance, Calif., first felt the calling when he was in middle school, but was headed for medical school right before entering the seminary. He looks forward to helping others meet Jesus.
Home parish: St. Lawrence Martyr, Redondo Beach | First parish assignment: St. John the Baptist, Baldwin Park

Fr. Juan Cano, 32, from Chihuahua, Mexico, was born with an inoperable tumor in his head and credits his family’s constant praying for a miracle and involvement in their local parish with feeding this priestly vocation. His grandmother, Juanita, is his biggest spiritual influence.
Home parish: St. Joseph, Hawthorne | First parish assignment: Our Lady of Grace, Encino

Fr. Luis Estrada Rivera, 42, from Guanajuato, Mexico, first felt the desire to be a priest at age 12. After trying many different occupations it was clear to him that he was being called to the priesthood.
Home parish: St. John of God, Norwalk | First parish assignment: Our Lady Queen of Angels, Los Angeles

Fr. Marinello Ruel Saguin, 30, of Los Angeles, first felt a call to the priesthood in second grade and credits his grandmother as his biggest spiritual influence, as she showed him the power of having a loving and uncomplicated relationship with the Lord that meant being still and present.
Home parish: Holy Family, Glendale | First parish assignment: St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Lomita

Fr. Parker Sandoval, 33, of Woodland Hills, wanted to be a priest since he was five years old, but worked at The Walt Disney Company for ten years before entering the seminary. He hopes to be an evangelizing priest with the heart and mind of Jesus.
Home parish: St. Bernardine of Siena Church, Woodland Hills | First parish assignment: Resurrection Church, Los Angeles

Fr. Raymont Marx Medina, 29, of Torrance, was inspired to the priesthood by his uncle who is a priest and would care for his ailing grandfather. He looks forward to serving the community and celebrating sacraments.
Home parish: St. Philomena, Carson | First parish assignment: Sacred Heart, Lancaster

Fr. Simeon Yong-joo Song, 40, from Pusan, South Korea, first felt his calling to the priesthood as a second-grade student and credits his mother as his biggest spiritual influence for showing and teaching him how to love.
Home parish: St. Raphael Korean Catholic Center, Norwalk | First parish assignment: Holy Family, Glendale

According to a report by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the total number of potential ordinands in the U.S. for the class of 2015 is 595 – which is up from 477 in 2014 and 497 in 2013.

For additional information about vocations please visit http://www.lavocations.org/.

Photo caption: The eight new priests of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles being blessed during the Priesthood Ordination on May 30, 2015.

Photo credit: Archdiocese of Los Angeles/Victor Aleman