How did I end up in Sioux City? Some of you know the answer to this question, but likely only a few. In short, I’m here because of the Holy Spirit. Let me explain.

I grew up in southeastern Mexico, in a family that wasn’t particularly religious. At the time, my dad was not only not Catholic—he was somewhat anti-Catholic. It was mom who made sure that my sister and I received our sacraments of initiation, went to Mass, and got involved in the parish. Throughout most of my childhood, I was a member of the Holy Childhood Association, a global movement for children that supports missionaries through awareness, prayer, and donations. The priests in our parish were missionaries from Ireland.

It was during those years that I began to sense God calling me. I didn’t hear a literal voice, but I started imagining myself as a missionary—someone who would leave the comfort of home to preach the Gospel in faraway lands, even if it meant risking martyrdom. When I started thinking seriously about a vocation to the priesthood, I always saw it as a missionary priesthood, following the example of my pastors, Fr. Bernard Quinn and Fr. Patrick Corrigan.

In high school, I discovered that a few of my friends from the parish were also discerning a vocation. Eventually, three of us went to seminary after graduation. Two entered through our home diocese (one of them was later ordained), and I joined a religious order—the Society of Saint Paul—because I didn’t feel called to diocesan priesthood. While I’m grateful for my time there, I realized that the institute’s charism wasn’t what God was calling me to, so I left after nearly two years.

At the time, I thought that meant I wasn’t called to the priesthood. I went on to study computer engineering and worked for a while. But during that time, God spoke to me again—this time through a friend who suggested I consider applying to a diocese in the U.S., knowing I had long felt drawn to missionary life. As I mentioned in a previous Lines of Faith, this was in the wake of the clergy abuse crisis, when vocations in the U.S. had significantly declined.

I contacted a few dioceses, and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I ended up in the Diocese of Sioux City. I arrived on February 21, 2007, not knowing what the future held. I came to stay at the house where I now live while Fr. Arts was pastor. I attended Mass at the same beautiful cathedral where I now celebrate Mass regularly.

I’ve been reflecting on this journey as we begin the holiest week of the year, when we commemorate the Passion and celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord. Today, with my brother diocesan priests, I will renew the priestly promises I made on June 29, 2013, right here in this Cathedral. Since then, there have been difficult days, moments when I’ve doubted my abilities, or made mistakes. But I have never doubted that Christ called me to share in His priesthood. One of the promises I will renew is that of obedience, and because I’ve always tried to be obedient—to my pastor, to my bishop—I have the certainty that I am exactly where God wants me to be. This is not where I imagined I’d be when I first felt called to be a missionary, or even when I first arrived in Iowa. But it is where God has placed me.

If you’re reading this message before 11 a.m. and are able, I invite you to join us for the Chrism Mass today—it’s a truly beautiful liturgy. If you can’t make it, please pray for me. Knowing I’m where God wants me doesn’t mean it’s always easy, and I rely on your prayers. Thank you for reading this reflection and for supporting my vocation as a missionary priest in northwest Iowa.

New Staff Member

We’re blessed to have a great team here at the Cathedral Parish. While we could use a few more hands, our small staff consistently goes above and beyond. Recently, we said goodbye to one of our staff members, our bookkeeper Lisa Tott, who stepped down to spend more time with her family. Thankfully, she still volunteers in the office from time to time. To help fill her role, we promoted Edith Muñoz—formerly our administrative assistant—to the position of bookkeeper, a role she has truly earned through her dedication and skill.

This change left us with an opening for administrative assistant, and last week we welcomed Stephanie Ramirez, a parishioner, to our team. I am confident she will be a warm and welcoming presence when you visit or call the parish office. Please join me in welcoming Stephanie to our staff!

Jubilee Pilgrimage to Italy

We continue to have more people signing up for the pilgrimage I’m leading to Italy from November 3 to 14. At this point, we have space for five more couples, so if you’re considering joining us, please don’t wait too long to register. You can do so directly at:  
https://trips.selectinternationaltours.com/c/select-international-tours/25mi11itjs

Because the Holy Doors of the Major Basilicas in Rome are only open during Jubilee Years—and ordinary Jubilees only happen every 25 years—this may truly be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.