IN THE DIOCESE
tvc.dsj.org | May 22, 2018
3
Diocese of San José Prepares to Ordain Three to the Priesthood
By Liz Sullivan
For three men in the Diocese of San
José, it is the moment they have been
praying for and working towards for at
least the last seven years.
On June 2, at the Cathedral Basilica of
Saint Joseph, Deacons Edgar Elamparo,
Francis Kalaw and Eric Piczon will be
ordained to the priesthood by Bishop
Patrick J. McGrat.
“I am overjoyed,” said Deacon Elam-
paro, whose home parish is Saint Maria
Goretti Parish. “I am in a state of awe
and so thankful for all of the prayer and
support we have received over these
seven years.”
Said Deacon Kalaw, from the Church
of the Ascension, “I am excited to cel-
ebrate the sacraments and show witness
to God. And being able to give back to
the people who have been so supportive
to us is great. I am very thankful. Plus,
I want to thank all of the priests who
have shown great concern for us. And
(Vocations Director) Father Joe Kim
and (Coordinator) Cecilia (Kohlrust).
Their support and commitment to us
has been overwhelming. Father Joe is a
great example for us. ”
Deacon Edgar Elamparo
Deacon Francis Kalaw
Deacon Piczon’s home parish is Our
Lady of Peace.
“I am very excited for this day to
happen,” said Deacon Piczon. “This
is what we have been preparing for.
We are ready to become the face of the
Church and the face of Christ.”
Each of the soon-to-be priests has
already learned what their fi rst assign-
ments as priests will be.
Deacon Elamparo will be Parochial
Vicar at Holy Spirit Parish, San José,
working with Father Brendan McGuire.
Deacon Kalaw has been assigned to
Saint Catherine of Alexandria Parish
in Morgan Hill as Parochial Vicar and
will work alongside Pastor Father Ser-
gio Ovando and Parochial Vicar Mon-
signor Francisco Rios. Deacon Piczon
Deacon Eric Piczon
joins Pastor, Father Enzie Lagattuta, at
Saint Leo the Great Parish in San José.
Each of the soon-to-be priests said
they have met with their new co-
workers, including pastoral associates.
Deacon Piczon said he will be lead-
ing the Hispanic community at Saint
Leo and will spend two months this
summer in Mexico improving on his
Spanish.
“It is also about how can I make a
diff erence?” said Deacon Piczon.
At Saint Catherine, each of the
priests will be new to the parish.
“I really want to collaborate with
them as we will all be a part of a new
team,” said Deacon Kalaw, referring to
Father Ovando and Monsignor Rios. “I
am excited to learn from them as they
are people I have looked up to. I go in
with an open heart and an open mind.”
For Deacon Elamparo the collabora-
tion aspect is very important to him. In
addition, he said he’ll be working with
Youth Ministry and Faith Formation.
“I know with Father Brendan and
the pastoral associates (Penny Warne
and Merry Riordan) we are a team,” he
said. “That is very important. I am also
very excited to engage the community
in active participation in the church.”
Deacon Elamparo has had a word
for the parents in the Diocese of San
José.
“I appeal to the parents to check
out the priesthood or the religious life
if their child is interested,” he said.
“If they have a question, please talk
to a priest. The number one obstacle
for vocations are parents. I encourage
everyone to have an open heart and an
open mind and support their child.”
The Ordination Mass begins at 9:30
a.m. and is open to the public.
To learn more about vocations in
the Diocese of San José, please visit
www.dsj.org/vocations.
For photos and a story on the or-
dination look for the June 19 issue of
The Valley Catholic.
Interfaith Prayer Service Held
By Kathy Fanger
On April 26, the Department of
Evangelization, through the Offi ce of
Restorative Justice, held an Interfaith
Prayer Service for Hope, Healing and
Peace at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church
in San Jose.
Speaker, Candee Lucas, M.A., spoke
about personal and communal losses,
moving inward to refl ect on our per-
sonal losses and back outward toward
the community and those who are
grieving. She invited the attendees to
fi rst refl ect and then share with those
around them their own experiences of
loss, healing and hope. The evening of
prayer concluded with a group blessing
and personal blessings given within
each sharing dyad or triad.
Attendees received candles to light in
their homes as a reminder of the divine
light that dispels the darkness of loss.
SAN DAMIANO RETREAT
Adult Children of Alcoholics
with staff of Options Recovery Services, 5/25-27
The Gift of a Moment (Silent Contemplative Retreat)
with Sr. Ishpriya, 6/3-8
Benefits of Group Projective Dream Work
with teaching assistants of the late Jeremy Taylor, 6/15-17
All Are Welcome To Hear
Sam Liccardo, Mayor of San Jose
"What Do Catholic Values Have to Do with Governing in Silicon Valley?"
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