Fr. Maina

About our new Associate Pastor, Fr. Lorenzo Gamboa by Fr. Maina

This year, St. Catherine Laboure Parish revered and honored the journey of Deacon Lorenzo Gamboa as he achieved his prayerful goal of elevation to the priesthood in the Archdiocese of Chicago. We rejoice with Father Lorenzo as he offers his First Mass on May 15th at SCL, his first parish assignment, and eagerly anticipate his joining us on July 1st as our full-time Associate Pastor. We know these first official priestly experiences will provide him with everlasting and heartfelt memories to be shared with all who love him throughout his priesthood.
 
Our grateful thanks are extended to Father Lorenzo’s father, Mr. Lorenzo Gamboa Sandoval, and his mother, Mrs. Maria del Pilar Cadena, for offering their son to the Church to serve in the Archdiocese of Chicago. We all recognize that vocations are developed and nurtured through a loving family environment. And for that, we all join to say to you, Gracias for your son. I know Mr. and Mrs. Gamboa join in reverence and adulation for their son’s monumental accomplishment. I recall having a discussion with Father Lorenzo about his decision to pursue the priesthood. Not surprisingly, his vocational awareness exhibits a unique yet similar (to many priestly vocations) encounter in the Mass.
 
Pope Benedict once said that a call to priesthood is “a gift of grace and choice in freedom.” We are grateful for the grace of God that led Father Lorenzo to this day and to us. It is God’s grace that will continue to guide and lead him in his priestly challenges and endeavors. We thank him for perfecting his choice to embrace the priesthood in the Archdiocese of Chicago and for being appointed Associate Pastor of St. Catherine Laboure. I know that Father Lorenzo will become one with us at St. Catherine’s, and I trust that the people of this parish will sustain him in priesthood, as you have sustained me and my predecessors in the past.
 
As always, may I express my gratitude to the Vocational Committee, under the guidance of Lou Cosmano, for your vigorous efforts that culminated in this joyous occasion, and to everyone else—your support and joy adds to his joy and love of his priesthood.
 
Finally, it is my hope that today’s celebration will serve to encourage our young people to consider priesthood and religious life. I remain optimistic for future vocations emanating
from SCL.
 
Welcome, Father Lorenzo, as we join with you in celebrating the unique gift of priesthood. We thank you for affirming your vocation to the priesthood of Jesus Christ in the Catholic Church. Gracias!
 
May God bless you and your family.
Father Maina
With you a Christian, for you a priest.