May 24th, I was ordained to the priesthood at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral. Many of you were in attendance. The six year priestly formation program has been a transformative experience in my life. Although, I am a "baby" priest, just one month old, I already experience the joy and fruits of my vocation. My first month as a priest has mainly involved celebrating the Sacraments. I celebrated masses of Thanksgiving at St. Anthony in Artesia where I am from originally and St. Elenor in Ruidoso where I lived as an adult. The past two weekends I celebrated all the Masses at St. Elenor and their missions St. Jude while the pastor was on retreat. I have had the opportunities to celebrate the Anointing of the Sick and the Sacrament of Penance too. I began at St. Albert the Great Newman Parish on June 17th as the Associate Pastor, and I am enjoying ministering here and meeting all of you. I am excited about serving this parish community. Thank you for your prayers and support while I was a seminarian and Deacon and I ask for your continued prayers. Know that you are in my prayers too.
Estimados Amigos,
El 24 de mayo fui ordenado sacerdote en la Catedral del Corazon Immaculado de Maria. Muchos de ustedes asisteron. El programa de formacion sacerdotal de seis anos ha sido una experiencia transformadora en mi vida. Aunque soy un sacerdote "bebe", de apenas un mes de edad, ya experimento la alergria y los frutos de mi vocacion. Mi primer mes como sacerdote ha consisido principalamente en celebrar los Sacramentos. Celebre Misas de Accion de Gracias en San Antonio en Artesia, donde soy originalmente y Santa Leonor en Ruidoso, dondde vivi de adulto. Yo tambien celebre y concelebre misas de unes a viernes en esas parroquias. Los ultimos do fines de semana celebre todos las misas en Santa Leonor y su mision San Judas mientras el pastor estaba de retro espirititual. He tenido oportunidades de celebrar tambian la Uncion de los enfermos y el sacramento de la penitencia. Comence en el Centro San Alberto Gran Newman el 17 de Junio como Pastor Asociado,y estoy disfrutando ministrando aqui y reuniendome con todos ustedes. Estoy emociaonadod por servir a esta comunidad parroquial. Gracias por sus oraciones y apoyo mientras you era seminarista y diacono y sus oraciones continuas. Esta en mis oraciones.
Fr. Gino Wilcox