Read more about Fr. Arjay Abanto here: "You did not choose me, but I chose you."

The priesthood was Rev. Rowel Jose Abanto's childhood dream. As only a small boy, he memorized the novena to the Mother of Perpetual Help - a popular prayer in his home country of the Philippines. He entered the seminary in 1986 and was ordained in 1995 in his home Diocese of Daat, Camarines North.

Fr. Abanto was called to serve the Diocese of Calgary in 2016, and today serves St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, affectionately known in the diocese as Fr. Arjay. To become close to God, Fr. Arjay believes we must open our hearts and let the grace of God lead us wherever He wants us to go. His guiding principle in serving God and His people is the words of John 15:16: "You did not choose me, but I chose you."

Read more about Fr. Le: "My Adventure with the Lord"

Rev. Phillip Le was born amidst the violence, poverty and suffering of the Vietnam War. His father died when he was one - leaving behind him, his mother and five siblings. These devastating hardships led Le to reflect on the meaning of life from a very young age. He found the answer in the Gospels, and from there he set on the path to priesthood.

Because of communist rule, Fr. Philip had to do his priestly studies underground. The government refused his ordination, so he fled the country in 1989 - a risk that nearly cost him his life. Fr. Philip is certain God protected him from being caught and executed.

In 1990 he came to Canada as a refugee. He continued his vocation at the Christ the King Seminary in Mission, BC. Le initially struggled with English, but as a missionary priest reminded him: “The war couldn’t kill you, the poverty couldn’t, the communists couldn’t ... So English, I assure you, cannot kill you either." In 1995, Father Philip Le was finally ordained. Today, he serves parishes in Claresholm, Nanton, and Champion. 

Read more about Fr. George here: "Sharing on Priestly Ministry"

Born into a devout family in the village of Katialpoovam in India, Rev. George Madathikunnath began discerning the priesthood as a child. His discernment grew stronger through the encouragement and prayerful presence of his parents, as well as the inspiring religious conviction of his grandfather.

He was ordained in 1995, and in 2001 did his doctorate in theology from the Gregorian University in Rome. He then taught theology in India, where he always advised students of the need for a personal encounter and relationship with Jesus, as the true source of all love, peace and happiness.  "Every day He calls us to serve Him radically and completely in one way or another," Fr. George said. In 2018, he joined the Diocese of Calgary as pastor to the Malankara Catholic Rite Community.

Even when he was only a small boy, Rev. Benedicto Tugano IV's life was filled with devotion. He would pray the rosary daily while riding his bike. He played with friends by pretending he was a priest, distributing biscuits to them as if it was communion. That inclination to priesthood stayed with Fr. Benedicto as, many years later, he and his elder brother entered seminary. While his brother eventually left the seminary, Fr. Benedicto Tugano was ordained in 1995.

Fr. Benedicto had many anxieties in the leadup to his ordination, that he would not be faithful to his ministry. But the words of his spiritual director continue to strengthen his faith to this day: "Just be faithful each day and you will make it."

After serving six parishes in the Philippines, Fr. Benedicto came to Canada in 2009. Since August 2018, he has served the Holy Cross Church in Fort Macleod.

"The son of man did not come to be served but to serve." (Mk 10, 45). This Gospel verse resonated with Rev. Ho Bong Yi throughout his discernment to the priesthood. The words continue to motivate him now.

Ordained in 1995 in South Korea, Fr. Ho Bong Yi came to Canada in 2016 after studying theology in Rome and at the University of Innsbruck in Austria. Along with his pastoral duties, Fr. Yi was a professor at the Catholic University of Daegu and the director of St. Peter Minor Seminary in South Korea. Yi has been pastor for St. Anne's Korean Parish in Calgary since 2016.

Fr. Yi has a strong devotion to the rosary, and he encourages all those discerning their vocation to pray continuously and serve others with charity and selflessness. In those two acts, we can discover God's will for our lives, said Fr. Yi.

Where are you from?
I was born in the Philippines and I have one brother and two sisters. I was the second oldest. Before coming to Canada, I served six parishes in the Philippines, with the last one being St. John the Baptist, where I served as pastor for 10 years. I came to Canada in November 2009.

Tell us about your vocation
Ever since I was a little boy, I was already attracted to the priesthood. I remember playing with my friends when I was a child, I would pretend that I was a priest, and with biscuits in my hand, I would “give them Communion”. My vocation was also inspired by my father’s priest friend, whom I admired. My older brother went to the seminary before me, and I followed him.  Although he did not follow through the priestly vocation, I did.

I remember feeling fearful before my ordination. I was afraid of not being faithful to my ministry, but a Jesuit priest who was a professor and spiritual director at the seminary told me, “Just be faithful each day and you will make it”.

What’s your favourite prayer?
My favourite prayer is the Rosary. Even as a child, I would pray it while riding my bike. Whenever I travel or wherever I go, I pray the Rosary.

How do we get closer to Jesus? 
Spend time praying in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

Any advice for those discerning their vocation?
I am very happy in my vocation. Life is about being with Jesus. Being a priest has filled my life with happiness. 

Please share about your family
I was born in a village called, Katilapoovam in Kerala State in India. My parents, Cheriyan & Eliamma and my elder sister Sara John (Jincy) and younger brother Philippose (Vinoy) and their family now live in Toronto, Ontario. My parents and grandparents were deeply religious. Their faith experience and especially my grandfather’s religious convictions were always inspirational guidance to my priesthood. My family always stood behind me with strong support and helping me with prayer and spiritual bond.

How did you discern your vocation to the priesthood?
I was born and brought up in a traditional Orthodox St. Thomas Christian family in India. From Childhood days and especially during my primary school days, I was liked and desired for a dedicated way of life. For this, I was supported by many holy lives and particularly the role model of my parents. My discernment to become a priest grew strong due to the encouragement coupled with the prayerful presence of my parents and grandparents. 

Any priestly ministry stories before you arrived in Canada?
I was ordained to priesthood on 18th April 1995. After the ordination, I worked in a few parishes and as editor of the diocesan publication. In 2001, I was sent for higher studies in Rome and did a licentiate and doctorate in theology from the Gregorian University. After my studies, I was appointed as Chancellor of the Diocese of Muvatupuzha. Besides being the Chancellor, I was asked to teach theology in St. Mary’s Malankara Theological Seminary, Trivandrum. Before coming to Calgary, I worked in Switzerland as pastor of three parishes in the Diocese of Basel. In 2018, I joined the Diocese of Calgary as pastor to the Malankara Catholic Rite Community in Calgary while also serving as associate pastor at St. Michael's Church. I thank Bishop William McGrattan for his care and support for the Malankara Catholic community. Presently I am serving at St. Bonaventure Church in Calgary.

Any spiritual message to share from your priestly ministry
In my 25 years of priestly life, I was always happy to be with people serving, sharing and caring for them. I also enjoyed my priestly ministry in administering the Holy Eucharist, the summit of Christian life, dispensing of divine mercy in the sacrament of reconciliation, and the celebration of other sacraments. Of course, the priesthood is a gift from God. Priest is another Christ. He represents Christ to the world. 

How do we become closer to Jesus?
When I was working in the Seminary, I was teaching two subjects of Theology, Christology and Mariology. While teaching the doctrinal teachings of the Church, I never failed to advise my students the need of personal encounter and relationship with Jesus. Yes, Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world. He is the true source of love, peace, and happiness. Following the teachings of Jesus Christ shows our love for Him and our desire to be close to Him. If we make an effort for an authentic sacramental life, we certainly experience him as well as feel his love. 

Any message for those discerning a vocation? 
We are all created in the image and likeness of God. We have our dignity as sons and daughters of God. Together with this dignity as Children of God, we are privileged to have divine call to different vocations. Discerning and embracing our vocation is paramount important. Every day He calls us to serve Him radically and completely in one way or another, which requires faithful and active obedience, unwavering commitment, and devotion from the one called.
​
As I celebrate my 25th Ordination Anniversary, I thank God for his great providence and grace.

​I was born and grew up in Vietnam during the war. My father died and left six children to the care of my mother when I was one year old. War and poverty made life very difficult for everyone. The suffering of people forced me to reflect on what life was all about. I found the answer in the Good News of Christ, and that made me pursue the priesthood. During my training, the war ended and the communists took over the country. My fellow seminarians and I did our best to finish the training, mostly underground. When I finished my studies, I thought I would be a priest and would serve the people in my country. At that time, the communist government had the final word for any priestly ordination. Every year with permission from my bishop, I sent a request to the government, but the authority kept saying “no” to my ordination without an explanation. Six years later, I planned to escape the country by boat.  

Someone at the coast arranged and prepared for the trip. It was in March 1989. It took me two days on a canoe along the rivers to reach the ocean. I got on a little boat no longer than 20 feet, with 14 other people. They left at midnight without any troubles. Just about eight o’clock in the morning, the government boats appeared from nowhere and the guards began to shoot at our boat. Our boat got hit, but the people were okay, as we would rather have died than to let ourselves fall into the hands of the guards. When the strong wind and big waves approached them, the guards feared for their lives so they stopped chasing them. I continued my journey and realized it was God who protected me and my companions. I crossed the ocean and landed in Malaysia on the seventh day.

I arrived at a refugee camp called Pulau Bidong. There were over 15,000 people in that camp.  Life was not ideal, but safe. It was a matter of time that I would be in a free country. A Canadian delegation came, and thought that I would be a good candidate for Canada. 

February 5, 1990 was the day I put my foot on the free land of Canada, and it was the first time I ever saw and touched snow. I continued to enjoy life and freedom around Toronto and Mississauga. For a while I forgot the reason why I escaped, but God didn’t forget me. My priest friend and the Bishop of Calgary invited me to return to training again. I left everything and took a bus to Calgary. The Bishop sent me to study in Christ the King Seminary in Mission, BC. After a year, I went back to Calgary with distress, as I could not speak the language. I planned to quit, but I met with a missionary priest who worked in Vietnam for 40 years until the communists kicked him out. This changed my life. The priest said, “The war couldn’t kill you, the poverty couldn’t, the communists couldn’t, the ocean couldn’t, and the refugee camp couldn’t, so English, I assure you, cannot kill you either. Be patient if God calls you, he will give you an ability to master the language.”

I then spent the next three years at St. Joseph Seminary in Edmonton and loved following the Lord. It took 26 years between my first day in a seminary and my priestly ordination (1969-1995). I felt like I was a slow learner! But for me, a priest is a man of joy, a man for others, and a man of prayer.  

Yes, dear people of God, have you ever had a thorough reflection on the life of a priest? If you do, or even if you do not, thank God for the priesthood and pray for your priests daily. With such actualities, with such a challenging future, the Eucharist is still a thanksgiving and a source of strength on a priestly journey. I cry out daily with fresh accents as the French priest Jean Baptiste Lacordaire did, “Yes, my God, yes indeed, what a life!”

Written by Fr. Philip Le

I am the youngest of 11 children. To become a priest is my childhood dream and my parents, Anunciacion and Rex, were instrumental in my vocation. I always accompanied my mother to church when I was young and memorized the novena to the Mother of Perpetual Help, one of the famous novena prayers to Mary in the Philippines. My vocation was nurtured through my active involvement in the parish especially the youth organization, an attitude I got from my father who was then a public servant in their community.  

I entered Holy Rosary Minor Seminary in the Philippines in 1986 and graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Arts, Major in Philosophy & Minor in Religious Education, and at the Holy Rosary Major Seminary with a Bachelor of Sacred Theology. I was ordained a priest on June 10, 1995 in my diocese (Diocese of Daet, Camarines Norte) by the Most Rev. Benjamin J. Almoneda, DD.  I also studied Liturgy at San Beda University and Human Development Psychology at De La Salle University both in Manila, Philippines. I assumed various ministries and parishes including Liturgy Director and Master of Ceremonies for 8 years, and my last assignment was as Rector and Pastor of the Parish and Shrine of St. Anthony of Padua, Mercedes, Camarines Norte.

After serving my home country for 21 years, I was called to serve the Diocese of Calgary in 2016 and was assigned by Most Rev. Frederick Henry, DD as Associate Pastor of St. Mary’s Cathedral for 3 years. I was appointed by the Most Rev. William T. McGrattan, DD as Associate Pastor of St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church last August 1, 2019. 

Following the Lord is not easy but I rely on God’s mercy and love. During trials and difficulties, my spiritual director always said to me: “Don’t give up. His grace is enough for you and He will take care of you no matter what!” That’s why, I chose my priestly ordination motto as my guiding principle to serve God and His people: “You did not choose me, but I chose you…” (John 15:16).

When asked about how to become closer to God, my advice is this: one must have an open heart and mind, and let the grace of God lead you to where He wants you to go. To trust and surrender everything to the Lord is the best way to follow Him. For me, with God as my protector, Jesus Christ as my Master and Lord, Mary as my loving Mother, everything will be in place according to His will and plan.  

Written by Fr. Arjay Abanto

Tell us about your family
I was the youngest of three boys. I grew up in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan. My father is Belgian, and my mother is French Canadian and Native - part Cree. In 1961, my family moved to Medicine Hat because there were no crops in Shaunavon. His family was members of St. Patrick’s Parish in Medicine Hat.  

How did you discern your vocation?
My mother was very spiritual and she prayed a lot. I would go to Mass with her and learned to pray, so she was a strong influence. In high school, my classmates and I started a youth group, which was quite a novel thing at the time, and we did lots of things, and we prayed together. In the early 70’s when there were a lot of changes in the Church, I began going to daily Mass and praying about my vocation. I told God that I didn’t want to be a priest but wanted to be married with 10 kids. I felt God saying to me, “You will have lots of children”. Also, there were several priests in the diocese that influenced me, like Fr. Krewski, Fr. John Petravicius, and Fr. Len Hagel. I had talked to Fr. Krewski several times about my vocation, and he expressed an interest “to just find out” if he did. Then one day Fr. Krewski told me that Bishop O’Byrne would be in town and wanted to see me. When Bishop O’Byrne asked me why I wanted to be a priest, I remember replying, “My friends are leaving the Church and losing their faith. I want to help people to realise how much God loves them and how they need Him in their lives”. So when I was about 19 years old, I went to the seminary in Waterloo with the Resurrection Fathers. I was supposed to go to the seminary in London but it was too late for registration, so I went to the seminary in Waterloo, which turned out to be a great blessing. 

What’s the best advice ever given to you?
Best advice given to me was to take my time and discern in my heart in my relationship with God what my calling truly is, and not to do it for anyone, or anything, but God alone. I told the Blessed Mother, “I don’t know if I can do this” and I didn’t feel worthy, but I felt Our Lady telling me that God would give me strength and He would lead me.

Share your favourite prayer
The prayer of St. Ignatius “Take Lord, receive…” and the prayer of St. Dominic Savio. 

How to get closer to Jesus? 
This is what I learned through life experience and through prayer. You need to spend time with God, find a quiet place that you can go to and spend time with Him. Sometimes you might question yourself saying “What am I doing here”, but you’ll be surprised when and how you will be touched by God. Just be aware of Him. I also encourage people to read the lives of the Saints, which I did in my youth, and they influenced my life. “They are real people and their love of God reflects who they are. You know it’s not fake”.

Any message for those discerning a vocation?
Have an open mind and heart to God. They may not be led to the priesthood, but all vocations are beautiful. ‘Make time for God, have God in your life, and be a good steward. All vocations are important!”

I can’t believe it’s been 41 years. I thank God for what I have and the people who have helped me along the way, as well as all the parishes, and even the ones that gave me headaches because they helped me to grow. It’s not always easy and there are ups and down in life, but I am happy for who I am, where I am at, and whatever good God has done through me.

The Diocese of Calgary congratulates Fr. Fred Monk for the great honour of being bestowed the Meritorious Service Medal for his work of founding Mission Mexico. We thank Fr. Fred for his passion and love towards our sisters and brothers in need especially through the ministry of Mission Mexico.

Through his work in Mission Mexico, many in our Diocese and abroad have been inspired and engaged in providing assistance to the projects that empower the people of the mountainous regions in the state of Guerrero. May Fr. Fred’s living legacy continue to live not only through our ongoing support of Mission Mexico but especially through the individuals and communities who have benefitted from the projects and who are now advocates for the good, growth, and development of their communities.

Father Fred Monk, M.S.M.
Medicine Hat, Alberta
Meritorious Service Medal

Created by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Meritorious Service Decorations recognize Canadians for exceptional deeds that bring honour to our country. The cross was originally created in 1984, for members of the military. In 1991, a medal was added to the military division, and both the cross and medal were introduced for civilians.

Meritorious Service Cross (M.S.C.)
The Meritorious Service Cross is a silver Greek cross, ends splayed and convexed, bearing the Royal Crown: on one side appears a maple leaf within a circle and a laurel wreath between the arms, and on the other appears the Royal Cypher, and within a double circle the inscription MERITORIOUS SERVICE MÉRITOIRE.

The ribbon for the Meritorious Service Cross (Civil Division) is blue and measures 32 mm wide. It has a central white stripe that is 2 mm wide, with two additional white stripes that are each 6 mm wide and centred on the outer third of each side of the ribbon.

Meritorious Service Medal (M.S.M.)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a circular silver medal bearing the Royal Crown: on one side of which appears the design of the Cross, and on the other appears the Royal Cypher, and within a double circle the inscription MERITORIOUS SERVICE MÉRITOIRE.
​
The ribbon for the Meritorious Service Medal (Civil Division) is blue and measures 32 mm wide.  It has a central white stripe that is 2 mm wide, with two additional white stripes that are each 6 mm wide and centred on the outer third of each side of the ribbon. These two white stripes are each further divided by a single blue stripe that is 1 mm wide.

Most Reverend William McGrattan made an announcement on Friday, February 22, 2019, Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, Apostle: 
​
Reverend Mr. Troy Nguyen, having completed his studies through St. Joseph's Seminary and Newman Theological College in Edmonton, AB and currently serving at St. Peter's Parish, Calgary as Transitional Deacon, will be ordained to the Priesthood on Friday June, 28, 2019 at St. Mary's Cathedral at 7 pm.