SPOTLIGHTING OUR VOCATION TO PRAY FOR PRIESTS
JULY 2008

I would like to spotlight our new Priests as well as reiterate the fact that our ministry is to our Priests. To support them, pray for them, aide them, take them on pilgrimages and be of service in any way they ask us. For my personal vocation, I am a Secular Carmelite having made my vows and I take a personal interest in our new Brothers, praying for them, watching them become Deacons and then Priests.

I would like to start with one of the first young men that we have prayed for as he travels his road to the Priesthood. David Guzman went on a pilgrimage with me to Betania, Venezuela in 1997. He received his calling to become a Priest on that trip. He pursued that calling and was accepted into formation in the Carmelite Order and is very close to becoming a permanent deacon and then a Priest. He will be the second Priest to come from Santa Cruz parish. He is a very good friend and we are so very proud to be a part of his support team as he continues his journey to the PRIESTHOOD.

I would like to introduce the Priest that is in charge of their formation first. FATHER CHRISTOPHER LAROCCA O.C.D. is assigned to Mt. Angel House of Studies directing them as only he can. I have known Father for many years, attending his ordination as he became a Deacon and next to a Priest in San Francisco on July 12, 1997. He was assigned to Santa Cruz as a Brother and as a Priest so we know him very well and pray for him as he continues his very important ministry.

As David entered formation, I was very happy to start meeting the brothers that were there also. We usually have one of them come to Tucson for the summer, one at Santa Cruz, the other at St. Margaret’s. The first two that I became very close to were Brother Philip and Brother Thomas. They use to ride their bicycles to the store and we would just talk and share and hang out while enjoying our pizza. Well, on August 4, 2007 Brother Philip Sullivan became FATHER PHILIP SULLIVAN O.C.D. at his ordination in Alhambra, California (pic) and Brother Thomas Reeves became FATHER THOMAS REEVES O.C.D. on June 13th 2008 in San Jose, California. I had the great privilege of being at both of the ordinations. It is a great joy to know that they will both be assigned to Santa Cruz for the next three years (at least).

I cannot forget to mention FATHER LAWRENCE PONCINI who was ordained in San Jose in 2007 and FATHER ROBERT BARCELOS who was ordained on June 13, 2008 at San Jose as well. We will continue to keep them in our prayers as Father Lawrence moves to St. Cecilia’s Parish in Stanwood, Washington to become the administrator and Father Robert takes up his assignment in Alhambra to replace Father Lawrence.

Father Adam and Father Jose Luis were both assigned to Tucson for a summer and we got to know them as well. FATHER ADAM GONZALES is our vocation director now and FATHER JOSE LUIS FERRONI, OCD is a Member of the Teresianum, International College of the Discalced Carmelite Order in Rome and a very special friend to this ministry. It is a joy to go to Rome and hang out with Father, I am sure you have seen his picture on the web site from our Italy pictures.

I would like to add these two Brothers to the spotlight this month as they are very good friends as well. Brother (Deacon) James Zakowicz and Brother Mark Kissner They were both assigned to Tucson for a summer and we have spent a lot of time sharing. They are both very sincere young men awaiting their studies to be completed to become a Priest. I was given a tour of Mt. Angel by Brother Mark when I was there for Brother David’s Solemn Profession of Vows.

Of course there are more brothers and friars that are very important to us especially Father Steven Watson O.C.D. who is assigned in Rome. He has been the Pastor at Santa Cruz and a very good guide for me in the spiritual life. Father helped initially in the beginning of this ministry, encouraging me, giving me advice and allowing me to sell items from the store at several Tucson events that helped bring in the necessary monies to start the religious store in 1995. We usually visit when I am in Rome as well and his picture has been on the President’s page in the past.

We will continue to pray for vocations to the priesthood so we can keep Father Adam busy. You can contact him at:
Vocation Director:
Fr. Adam Gregory Gonzales, O.C.D.
Discalced Carmelite Friars
P. O. Box 3420
San Jose, Ca    95156
Phone: 408.251.1361 ext. 324
Fax.: 408.251.4923
Email: carmelitevocation@yahoo.

I would also like to mention another young man that was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood on May 31, 2008, Father Dennis M. Gordon, F.S.S.P. I have also been privileged to pray for him and his brother who are from Nogales, Arizona. I would like to have gone to his ordination in Nebraska but the ordinations this year were about the same time and I could not attend both. They are also very special to this ministry and we assure them of our continuing prayers as well.

As we begin the Jubilee Year of ST. PAUL I would like to assure all of our continuing prayers.

God Bless You.
Gayle Sims, O.C.D.S.