Answering the call — eventually

(Source: St. John's Seminary )
(To read more about these priests, visit  "New priests are older, come from other careers")

CAMARILLO, Calif., June 16 /PRNewswire/ -- St. John's Seminary announced today that fourteen of its graduates have been or will soon be ordained priests, including  six for the Los Angeles Archdiocese, four for the Diocese of Orange, and four others for religious communities and dioceses around the world.

All have completed their theological formation at St. John's Seminary, including internships at parishes and completion of services as transitional deacons.

"The diversity of this group of men is a testament to the global reach and inclusive nature of the Catholic faith. Our faculty and staff are pleased and proud to have worked with our seminarians, now priests, and are excited as they report to their parishes, to the love of Jesus Christ, and to people," says Monsignor Craig A. Cox, the Rector/President at St. John's Seminary.

A brief profile on each new priest follows.

Fr. Francis Aguilar

Born: Quezon City, Philippines
Education: Buchanan Elementary School, Los Angeles
Luther Burbank Junior High School, Burbank
Benjamin Franklin High School, Los Angeles
UCLA - BA in Political Science
Prior Occupation: Executive Recruiter
Home Parish: Holy Trinity, San Pedro
First Assignment: St. Pius X, Santa Fe Springs
On Becoming a Priest: "I have always wanted to serve God and God's people. In a profound way, my dad inspired me (unbeknownst to him) because as a future spiritual father, I learned from my dad what it means to be joyful, loving and selfless. I am excited to share the love and joy that I experienced within my family to the rest of the people I will be serving."

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Fr. Christopher Brian Fagan

Born: Whittier, California
Education: St. Mary of the Assumption Elementary School, Whittier
Whittier Union High School, Whittier
Pomona College
University of San Francisco, School of Law
Prior Occupation: Attorney
Home Parishes: St. Paul the Apostle and St. Sebastian, Los Angeles
First Assignment: Saint Mary, Palmdale
On Becoming a Priest: "When I was a kid, I wanted to be either an archaeologist or an astronaut. By the time I finished college, I thought that becoming an attorney would be the best way I could support myself. Although I enjoyed my work as a lawyer for twenty-four years, my volunteer work in the parishes, working with the homeless and the elderly, advocating social justice issues, and preparing and coordinating liturgies, caused me to reconsider my vocation. The parish work gave me a sense of joy that, upon prayerful reflection and with spiritual direction, helped me realize that God was calling me to serve him and his people in a different way, as a priest."

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Fr. Julio Cesar Gonzalez Bautista

Born: Tuxcacuesco, Jalisco, Mexico
Parents: Agustin Gonzalez Almaraz and Efigenia Bautista Perez
Education: The Seminario Diocesano de Colima, de La Sangre de Cristo
Home Parish: Saint Anthony of Padua, San Gabriel
First Assignment: Saint Charles Borromeo, North Hollywood
On Becoming a Priest: "My reason for becoming a priest is Jesus Christ. He called me and I answer with all my limitations and strengths. My vocation belongs to him because he has freely given this gift to me. I want to be priest to serve God's people with love, compassion and commitment. I am only going to be able to serve with his help. I look forward to serving the People of God through the sacramental life, especially the celebration of the Eucharist. I hope I can be a truly holy priest."

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Fr. Richard Sunwoo

Born: Mong Mong City, Guam
Parents: David Young-nam Sunwoo (Deceased); Angela Cho andEdmond Cho
Education: Holy Trinity School
Bishop Montgomery High School
St. John's Seminary College
St. John's Seminary
Home Parish: St. Raphael Korean Catholic Center, Norwalk, California
First Assignment: St. Lawrence Martyr, Redondo Beach
On Becoming a Priest: "I am humbled to be a new priest and know that I have to pay my dues and earn my keep - so to speak. It is my goal to try to be as good as those priestly heroes that have been present in my life. May we strive to live the Gospel!"

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Fr. Joseph Van Vu

Born: Long Khanh, Vietnam
Parents: Mr. Hung Van Vu and Mrs. Mat Thi Dang
Education: Dieu Cai High School
St. John's Seminary College
Home Parish: St. Lucy, Long Beach
First Assignment: Holy Trinity, San Pedro
On Being a Priest: "My calling to study for the priesthood began when I was an altar boy. I had a wonderful chance to observe and serve the priests who celebrated Masses. Day by day, it seemed to me that God was inviting and calling me to be a priest and serve Him and His people. I also hope that as a humble priest, I will bring the Word of God to others so that all people can see God in their daily lives."

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Fr. Budi Wardhana

Born: Jakarta, Indonesia
Parents: Indrawan Jusuf and Elisa Maliwa
Education: Marsudirini Elementary School, Jakarta
Kanisius Jesuit High School, Jakarta
University of Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia - B.A. in business
Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio - M.B.A.in marketing
Prior Occupation: Entrepreneur of an on-line Indonesian grocery store
Home Parish: St. Stephen, Monterey Park; St. Luke, Temple City
First Assignment: St. Rose of Lima, Simi Valley
On Becoming a Priest: "Our people today live in a busy, noisy and materialistic culture. The world tells us that there is no God. We then lose hope as we face our struggles. As a priest, I want to bring Jesus. He is our hope. He is a living God. I will bring Jesus's love and forgiveness in the Eucharist, sacrament of reconciliation, and my life. I want to make a difference in the lives of young people and give them hope in Jesus. He is our best!"