3nd Year at PRS| Background: I am currently 25 years old. I am 100% Filipino, who was born and raised in deep South Texas in a place called Edinburg, Texas. My mom, dad, sister, and I are active parishioners at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (also in Edinburg, Texas). I graduated from Robert Vela High School in 2014 and I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science (2016) and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration (2017) from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. I was very close to going to law school and to enter the political life after completing my Master’s Degree, but I decided that was not my calling. Instead, I decided to say yes to religious life. When did you first think that God might be calling you to be a priest? All my life, I have always been active at my local parish. I have been an altar server, an assistant catechist for Confirmation students, a Eucharistic minister, a fourth degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus, a Life Teen core member, and a rosary maker. Since I was a young kid, I have always had that passion to serve and to help others. Saying yes to religious life was not part of my original plan, but the call intensified after graduating High School and I felt now was the right time to “give in” and answer the call that is coming out from my heart. Why did you choose the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts? My home parish, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Edinburg, Texas is currently staffed by the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts. I give all credit to Father Robert “Bob” Charlton, ss.cc. for introducing me to the Congregation and teaching me who Father Damien of Molokai was. But the main thing that drew me to the Sacred Hearts was our charism, which is to contemplate, live, and proclaim God’s love through the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. To promote love is something that I hold near and dear to my heart. Favorite hobbies and/or fun fact about yourself: I love making rosaries. Since November 2019, I have made over 3,200 rosaries that have been sent all throughout the Rio Grande Valley, Texas, California, Hawaii, Mexico, and India. These rosaries have made their way in parishes, schools, nursing homes, hospitals, and in the hands of migrants. Rosary-making is truly a life-giving ministry that brings so much joy to my heart. Now, I bring my ministry here to the South Pacific. Favorite Bible passage: Matthew 20:28 “Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Your favorite saint: Pope Saint John Paul II. I have always admired his commitment to ecumenism and peace, not only with other Christian denominations, but also with other world religions. Since I was a kid, I always loved playing the role as the “peacemaker”. I never encourage myself to physically or verbally fight with someone who disagrees with me, rather I would try to find what we can at least agree on. Fun fact: Pope Saint John Paull II and I share the same birthday, May 18th. |
