June 5, 2014

Priest Bios

carrilloFr. Arthur Carrillo.C.P. was born in Los Angeles CA, in 1944.  He is one of nine children born to Jose and Elisa Carrillo.  The family roots are grounded in the soils of Chihuahua, Mexico. Half of his elementary education was at Resurrection School, East Los Angeles, where he also made his First Communion in 1951.  He entered the Passionist Seminary in 1957, professed vows in July of 1963, and was ordained a priest on May 16, 1970.  His ministries have revolved around the Passionist preaching apostolate, both in retreat centers and in parish renewal programs.  In 1994, Fr. Arthur was elected to the Passionist Congregation’s General Council in Rome, where he served for six years.  During this time one of his principal responsibilities was as liaison to the Passionist Missionaries in Africa. Following those six years, Fr. Arthur remained in Rome for another four years as director of the Congregation’s Communications Office.  During this time he helped to develop the Passionist Generalate Website for communication outward, and to improve the internal communications of the Congregation’s central administration.  Returning to the United States in 2004, Fr. Arthur assumed the responsibilities of local leader for the Passionist Community in Detroit, and then in Houston. In 2005, Fr. Arthur was asked to take over from Fr. Luke Connolly, the “Mission Office”, which works with the dioceses of the United States in mission education, and the solicitation of funds to help support the Congregation’s mission efforts.  Besides his seminary theological studies, Fr. Arthur has a licentiate degree in Canon Law (Catholic University of America), and works in both English and Spanish as well as Italian.  He is also actively involved in the formation programs for laity associated with the Passionists in the United States.  As such, he has conducted numerous pilgrimages to Passionist Places in Italy.

 

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menzelFather William G. Menzel is a Roman Catholic Priest who proudly proclaims that “the Catholic faith gave its richness and nourishment to me, and eventually called me to the priesthood in the Diocese of La Crosse.  Ordained in 1967, I have had the privilege of ministering among the people of Wisconsin in Marshfield, La Crosse, and Eau Claire.  My current assignment is as pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Wisconsin Rapids. Besides the joys and challenges of my work, I love reading, writing, learning, flying airplanes, classical music, technology, amateur radio, and just about anything else that piques my curiosity”.

 

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batesFr. Kevin Bates was born in Geelong, Victoria and was ordained as a Marist priest in Melbourne in 1972.   After working briefly in secondary education and parish ministry, he took a Masters Degree in Liturgy at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California in 1975.  Music-making and song-writing are vital parts of his ministry and he has now published nine albums of music.  In 2000 he took a Masters of Education degree at the Catholic University in Sydney. Since that time he has continued his ministry with schools and parishes all around Australia.

 

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cedricFather Cedric Pisegna, C.P. is a Passionist Roman Catholic Priest whose ministry is dedicated to the life changing gospel of Jesus Christ.  He was ordained as a Deacon in 1990, then became an ordained priest in June of 1991. He attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst receiving a B.S. degree in Social Work and a minor in Business. At Southern Illinois University at Carbondale he studied Philosophy. He earned a Master of Divinity Degree with Bible Specialization at the Catholic Theological Union at Chicago and studied Scripture in Israel, Greece and Egypt.  At Northwestern University in Chicago he studied Speech and drama.  In 2003, he went to the North American College in Rome for the Theological Study Program for priests.  He travels across the U.S. and Canada preaching, writing, and producing for television.  Author of 17 books, his message is practical, inspirational, and orthodox.  Father Cedric’s website: www.frcedric.org

 

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amaroFr. Amaro Saumell began his religious education at Holy Apostles College and Seminary, later attending St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, California for his graduate work. In July of 1992, Father Amaro was ordained.  A late vocation priest, he brings to the priesthood his love of life and a wealth of creativity.  He is blessed with a beautiful singing voice and has a talent for uniquely producing his own religious, musicial videos.  Father Amaro is currently the pastor at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Needles, California.

 

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chawdiFr. Lazarus Chawdi

 

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