Where is Br. Ramiro? Yes, that's what people have asked and not just about him but also "Where have all the friars gone?" The answer is blowing in the wind... the wind of the Holy Spirit. They continue to cultivate the vocation they received and now they're bearing rich fruit for the Lord in other apostolates. Br. Ramiro Muñoz was transferred this past summer and is now at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Santa Ana, California.
But where have all the students gone? A seminarian receives his vocation as a seed and nurtures it unseen by the world. Then, after cultivating their vocation for several years through long years of study, the talents they cultivated in secret at Tagaste are now blossoming and producing rich fruit for the Church! In 2002 Br. Jorge Valdivia, a former Tagaste seminarian, made his Solemn Profession (Final Vows) in Oxnard, California. He is now working at St. Augustine Priory in Oxnard, California where he really enjoys the youth ministry he leads.
For the first time in decades in 2003 five Tagaste Seminarians were ordained the same year to the priesthood: On May 24, 2003 in Newark, New Jersey and May 31, 2003 in Oxnard, California. The three priests ordained on May 24, 2003 were Michael Kenny, Fredric Aberia, and J. Michael Rafferty. The two priests ordained on May 31, 2003 were Eliseo González and Luis Ramirez. In addition, on May 29, 2004 Deacon Francisco Sandoval was ordained a priest at Mary Star of the Sea Church, Oxnard, California.
It is beautiful to share the enthusiasm of the new priests. You may have been wondering where they are now. Fr.Michael Kenny is working at Mary Star of the Sea Parish in Oxnard, California. Fr. Fredric Aberia is stationed at St. John's Church on Kingsbridge Ave. in the Bronx. Fr. J. Michael Rafferty is a chaplain at Pastoral Care in Good Samaritan Hospital, Suffern, NY. Fr. Eliseo González is stationed at St. Augustine Priory, Oxnard California as the Province Vocation Director and Fr. Luis Ramirez is stationed at Our Lady of the Pillar Parish in Santa Ana, California. Fr. Francisco Sandoval is now at St. John's Church, Bronx, NY where he also helps with Spanish Cursillo apostolate. We described his ordination in February's Restless Hearts.
Fr. Michael Kenny shared with our readers words that probably describe how all the new priests have seen God giving growth where they have cultivated with God's grace their vocation. Fr. Michael shares with us: "As both a religious and now as a priest, I am more aware of how God wishes to work through me. I realize that my ministry does not come from me but comes from the call which God placed in my heart. The most rewarding aspect of my ministry is the celebration of the sacraments, most especially the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The privilege to celebrate these sacraments is one which I treasure each and every day of my life."
The Tagaste Family is proud of all of you. Keep up the good work!
|
Enlarge picture
Fr. Eliseo Gonzalez is now Provincial Vocational Director.
Enlarge picture
Fr. Michael Rafferty works as chaplain at Good Samaritan Hospital.
Enlarge picture
Fr. Fredric Abiera and Fr. Francisco Sandoval conduct an afternoon of afternoon retreat for RCIA candidates from St.John's in the Bronx.
|
)
)
)