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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.”

Age: 40
Hometown: Cerritos
Home parish: St. Raphael Korean Catholic Center, Norwalk
Parish assignment: St. Mel, Woodland Hills

One of the reasons Francis Kim wanted to become a priest was to help out those in need, the people “the world doesn’t see as being like the rest of us.” He said this desire to help came from growing up with the examples of several diocesan priests who showed him what it meant to simply be a good and decent human being serving those who are often overlooked or minimized.

Age: 30
Hometown: Santa Paula
Home parish: St. Sebastian, Santa Paula
Parish assignment: St. Helen, South Gate

While ordination signals the end of one journey, it also marks the beginning of a new one, and this is key to Michael Masteller. While much attention is placed on a man saying yes to a vocation, he believes it is equally important to renew that affirmation regularly. “It’s that continual saying yes wherever the Lord wants to go in our life,” he said. “Saying ‘Yes, Lord, you can go here. Yes, Lord, you can bring your light to this dark area where I haven’t shown anyone, or I don't want to.’ ”

Age: 33
Hometown: Moreno Valley
Home parish: Holy Family, Glendale
Parish assignment: Our Lady of Assumption, Ventura

When Matthew Miguel takes his final vows as a new priest, he will not do it alone, he said, because so many people have traveled with him on his vocation journey. “I’m very grateful,” he said. “I would always tell these families that I see that this vocation does not belong to me, but it is part of their vocation as well. This is the fruit of their prayers. This is the fruit of their vocation as well. I am fully indebted to them. I’m grateful for the opportunity for me to encounter and journey together during this journey of faith. I’m very appreciative with their prayers, their support, and their love and sacrifice.”

Age: 28
Hometown: Santa Clarita
Home parish: Our Lady of Peace, Santa Clarita
Parish assignment: Santa Clara, Oxnard

Like many others about to take this step, Patrick Ayala has a lot of people to thank for getting him to this point, especially his mother and father, who “raised me in the faith.”

Age: 28
Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska
Home parish: St. Didacus, Sylmar
Parish assignment: St. Emydius, Lynwood

It was as he was about to graduate from high school that Cesar Guardado first heard the voice asking if he had ever considered the priesthood. Like so many, he balked at the thought, but not for the typical reason of having made plans of his own. No, he said he simply didn’t feel “worthy of that.”

TITHING.
A sign of generosity and support of our Church. A way to help our fellow catholics. A call for all of us.
Will you give?
//
DIEZMO.
Un signo de generosidad y apoyo a nuestra Iglesia. Una forma de ayudar a nuestros compañeros católicos. Una llamada para todos.
¿Darás?

GIVE UP.
Those things that are not letting you advance. Those things that make you anxious. Those things that keep you away from God.
Will you let go?
//
DEJA IR.
Todas aquellas cosas que no te dejan avanzar. Todas aquellas cosas que te dan ansiedad. Todas aquellas cosas que te separan de Dios.
¿Lo dejarás ir?

NEED.
We all have them. But only God can ultimately fulfill them.
Will you pray for those who need it?
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NECESIDADES.
Todos las tenemos. Pero solo Dios puede llenarlas.
¿Rezaras por aquellos que lo necesitan?

TIME.
We are called to use it for the greater good. We are called to live it. We are called to make the best out of it.
Will you give your time to God?
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TIEMPO.
Estamos llamados a usarlo para el bien común. Estamos llamados a vivirlo. Estamos llamados a sacar lo mejor de el.
¿Le darás tu tiempo a Dios?

INTERACT.
There are many people out there waiting for human interaction, even if they don’t know it yet.
Will you find ways to be there for others?
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INTERACTÚA.
Hay muchas personas esperando la interacción humana, aunque no lo sepan todavía.
¿Encontrarás una manera de estar ahí para los demás?

PARENTS.
Those who fulfill their vocation of bringing life to the world through their mutual love.
Will you remember them?
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PADRES.
Aquellos que cumplen su vocación de traer vida al mundo a través de su amor mutuo.
¿Los recordarás?

RESPONDERS.
Those who work day to day to ensure our safety. Those who don’t waste a minute to help those in need.
Will you respond to the call to love?
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PRIMEROS INTERVINIENTES.
Aquellos que trabajan día a día para asegurar nuestra seguridad. Aquellos que no gastan ni un solo minuto para ayudar a aquellos que lo necesitan.
¿Responderas al llamado al amor?

LIFE.
The greatest gift God gave us. The one He calls us to protect, like He did.
Will you fight?
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VIDA.
El regalo más grande que Dios nos dio. El regalo que nos llama a proteger, como Él lo hizo.
¿Lucharás?

RESPOND.
You have a call, and God is waiting for your yes.
Will you answer?
//
RESPONDE.
Tienes un llamado, y Dios espera a tu sí.
¿Contestarás?

WALK.
Move forward, always with God by your side. And walk with the people you love, side by side.
Will you start moving?
//
CAMINA.
Muévete hacía adelante, siempre con Dios a tu lado. Y camina con la gente que amas, lado a lado.
¿Empezarás a moverte?

HOMELESS.
So many people are, physically and emotionally. They are waiting for our help and love.
Will you help them?
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SIN HOGAR.
Mucha gente no tiene un hogar, física y emocionalmente. Están esperando por nuestro ayuda y amor.
¿Los ayudarás?