IN THE DIOCESE
tvc.dsj.org | May 9, 2017
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Three DSJ Seminarians Move One Step Closer to Priesthood
By Liz Sullivan
On a Saturday morning, six days
after Easter, three young men from the
Diocese of San Jose moved one step
closer to the priesthood.
With the backdrop of Saint Pius
Church in Redwood City, seminarians
Edgar Elamparo, Francis Kalaw and
Eric Piczon, joined three classmates
from the Diocese of Sacramento (Jesús
Gonzalez, Rene Jauregui and German
Plaza) were ordained transitional
deacons in a Mass celebrated by Sacra-
mento Auxiliary Bishop Myron J. Cotta.
The newly ordained students attend
Saint Patrick’s Seminary & University in
Menlo Park or Mount Angel Seminary
in Oregon.
“This is a truly wonderful time of
year,” said the Bishop. “It is all about
humility. We are all called before the
Lord and to do what he wants. We are
servants of all. He who empties himself
is ready to serve.”
Each of the candidates was called
forward, and on behalf of the Church,
was presented to the Bishop. In the
name of the Church, the Bishop elects
Newly ordained deacons Reverend Mr. Francis Kalaw, Reverend
Mr. Edgar Elamparo and Reverend Mr. Eric Piczon join Diocese of
Sacramento Auxiliary Bishop Myron J. Cotta, D.D., and Diocese of San
Jose Director of Vocations and Seminarians Father Joe Kim after the
Ordination Mass.
the candidates and the assembly reaf-
fi rms their election through a round
of applause.
Then the candidates make solemn
promises to be consecrated for min-
istry, to serve the Episcopal Order
of the People of God with humble
charity; to proclaim the Gospel faith-
fully and hand on the Church’s tra-
dition; to embrace the celibate state
as a commitment to Christ; to pray
The six seminarians who were ordained deacons on April 22 at Saint
Pius Church in Redwood City lay prostrate in the sanctuary as a sign of
submission, humility and dependence upon the mercy of God.
Photos by Jen Vasquez
with, and for, the people of God and to
conform themselves more closely with
Christ. Finally, they pledge obedience
to the Bishop and his successors.
At one point in the Mass, the can-
didates laid prostrate in the sanctuary
as a sign of submission, humility and
dependence upon the mercy of God,
the intercession of the saints and the
prayer of the Church.
Finally, the new deacons were
clothed with the vesture of deacons,
diaconal stole and the dalmatic. Once
this happens the deacons are embraced
through hugs and handshakes by the
Bishop and deacons assembled.
Supporting Bishop Cotta during
the were Reverend Mr. Gabriel Lee
and Reverend Mr. Khoa Vu from the
Diocese of San Jose. Lee and Vu will be
ordained priests on June 3, 9:30 a.m., at
the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph.
Institute for Leadership in Ministry
Graduates Class of 2017
By Linda Cunha-Ricchio
Director of the
Institute for Leadership in Ministry
The Institute for Leadership in Min-
istry (ILM) will celebrate its 18 th gradua-
tion honoring the Class of 2017 on May
10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica
of Saint Joseph. Bishop Patrick McGrath
will preside at evening prayer during
which the graduation takes place.
The 31 graduates in the English and
Spanish language tracks represent 19 of
the parishes within the Diocese of San
Jose. This class is a resilient group of
individuals who have supported each
other through many challenges–serious
illness, family situations, and even the
death of one of their classmates. They
started out as strangers but have built
strong friendships and, on the way,
learned about each other’s cultures.
During their time in the program,
many students have shared with
me how much they have grown in
knowledge and faith and have come
to a deeper appreciation of their roles
and responsibilities as leaders in the
Diocese. They look forward to their
next steps. Several have applied to
the Permanent Dea-
con Formation. Others
have accepted greater
responsibility in parish
ministry. Some others
are continuing to discern with their
pastor where they are most needed.
This year marks the 20 th anniversary
of the Institute. Since its founding in
1997, there have been more than 900
individuals who have completed the
program the majority of whom are still
involved in active ministry. During the
years, the curriculum has continued
to evolve adding content to enrich and
improve on the original foundation.
This year, for example, a capstone-
style course was added to third year
curriculum to integrate coursework,
with prayer and discernment, and in
conversation with their pastors, to help
students defi ne their future mission
and ministry within the local church.
We are grateful to Bishop McGrath
for his ongoing support and to all who
have contributed to the good work of
the Institute. All are invited to attend
the graduation as we gather to honor
the Class of 2017. We hope to see pas-
tors, parish staff s, and especially our
beloved alumni.
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