Age: 33
Hometown: San Bernardino
Home parish: Our Lady of Peace, North Hills
Parish assignment: Holy Family, South Pasadena
One thing Andrew Hedstrom would like to focus on, as he prepares to begin his ministry, is rebuilding a sense of community in daily Catholic church life. That life has been adversely affected by the pandemic, of course, but Hedstrom believes COVID-19 only shined a spotlight on an issue that had been festering for years.
Age: 46
Hometown: Puerto Barrios, Guatemala
Home parish: Divine Saviour, Los Ángeles
Parish assignment: Santa Rosa de Lima, San Fernando
It’s not unusual for those about to be ordained to be asked if they have any advice for those considering the priesthood. When Sergio Hidalgo gets that question his answer is fairly simple and straightforward: Don’t be afraid. “Pray about it, ponder about it, be involved, know your faith,” he said. “Look in your heart and pay attention to all the signs. But don’t be afraid.”