tvc.dsj.org | April 4, 2017
IN THE DIOCESE
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Three DSJ Seminarians Preparing To Take Next Step On the Path to Priesthood
By Liz Sullivan
For three young men from the Dio-
cese of San Jose, the path to the priest-
hood moves one step closer on April
22 when they are ordained transitional
deacons during a 9:30 a.m. Mass at Saint
Pius Church in Redwood City.
Edgar M. Elamparo, Francis Kalaw
and Eric Piczon will be ordained in one
of the final steps before priesthood with
their classmates from Saint Patrick’s
Seminary and University.
Before arriving in the Diocese of San
Jose and Saint Maria Goretti Parish,
Edgar Elamparo
Francis Kalaw
Eric Piczon
Elamparo earned a Bachelor of Science
degree in Mathematics and Computer
Science from Pontifical University of
Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines.
“I want to make God’s uncondition-
al love and mercy be known to many,”
said Elamparo, about his desire to be-
come a priest. “And I want for people
to have a deeper, personal relationship
with God.”
For Kalaw, whose home parish is
the Church of the Ascension, the path
to the priesthood began with a priest in
high school.
“I learned to love my Catholic faith
more and developed that passion for
ministry and outreach,” said Kalaw,
whose favorite hobbies are photography,
video editing and playing basketball.
Like Elamparo, Piczon also received
a college degree in Computer Science
in the Philippines. Before entering the
seminary, Piczon worked for eight
years as a salesperson and technician
for Sprint.
“I want to be a vessel of God’s love
and grace to his flock,” said Piczon,
whose home parish is Our Lady of
Peace.
Following their ordination, the new
deacons will be assigned to one of the
54 parishes within the Diocese as they
finish their fourth year of Theology
studies.
On June 3 the Diocese will celebrate
the priestly ordination of Deacons Ga-
briel Lee and Khoa Vu.
For photos and a story on the ordi-
nation look for the May 9 issue of The
Valley Catholic.
Diocese of San Jose Celebrates Religious Life
By Liz Sullivan
As the Catholic Church honored the
Virgin Mary with the Solemnity of the
Annunciation, the Diocese of San Jose
took a moment on March 25 to honor the
many women and men who have dedi-
cated their lives to the service of God.
The Diocese held its annual Celebration
of Religious Life at Leontyne Chapel at
Bellarmine College Preparatory,
The Feast of the Annunciation com-
memorates the visit of the archangel
Gabriel to the Virgin Mary when he
informed her she would be the mother
of Jesus.
“One of our roles as religious is to
make credible the word of God,” said
Sister Rosalie Pizzo, SND, the Bishop’s
Delegate to Religious Life, and who
herself was celebrating 65 years of
Bishop Patrick J. McGrath, center, celebrated Mass, assisted by Monsignor Francis V. Cilia, left,
at the annual Celebration of Religious Life that was held at Leontyne Chapel at Bellarmine Col-
lege Preparatory on March 25.
religious life.
Overall members from seven re-
ligious congregations of women and
three orders of men were honored, al-
though not all were able to be present.
Bishop Patrick J. McGrath celebrated the
Mass, assisted by Monsignor Francis V.
Cilia and Deacon John Kerrigan.
“Fro m the bottom of my heart thank
you,” said the Bishop. “I am very grate-
ful for all of the work you have done for
the Diocese.”
Sister Molly Neville of the Sisters of
the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, who
is celebrating 60 years of religious life,
gave the Reflection during Mass.
“Mary’s faith grew as the child Je-
sus grew in her womb,” said Neville,
Spiritual Director at Villa Maria del
Mar Retreat Center in Santa Cruz and
who entered the Convent of the Sisters
of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary
in Los Gatos on July 24, 1955. “Like
Mary we received that mysterious
call from God to serve as religious.
Like Mary, we consented freely and
with courage. My dream has always
been to love and be loved by God. Like
Mary we have been strengthened by
the Holy Spirit.”