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Three priests celebrate 25 years of ministry
As the faithful of the Phoenix Diocese welcome and celebrate the June 2 ordination of its six new priests, there are three local priests who are celebrating 25 years of priestly ministry this year.
Fr. Scott Brubaker
Ordained: May 29, 1982
What drew you to the priesthood?
A combination of recognizing how God had gifted me and encountering Christ in prayer, especially the liturgy.
What motivates you for this line of work?
Well, everyone deals with God’s people all the time, but the reign of God and the example of Jesus, plus countless mentors, sisters and brothers in our faith, keep inspiring and supporting me.
What is most challenging?
Continuing to promote and implement the renewal of the Church which was set forth by the Second Vatican Council. I believe an understanding of this task is still unfolding, and much is yet to be accomplished.
Twenty-five years ago, I never thought:
I’d accomplish having this sense of fulfillment, serenity and energy for continuing to explore how to be a priest.
Favorite book: “On Being Liked,” by James Alison.
Favorite hobby: Bodysurfing.
The most thoughtful gift anyone has given you: Flowers. Why aren’t flowers given to men more often?
What do you hope to accomplish in the next 25 years?
A deeper friendship with God.
Favorite phrase?
“You can’t make God love you — God just does!”
Favorite verse of Scripture?
“Be still and know that I am God.”
My passion/passions are:
Art, music, literature, prayer, teaching, traveling, AA, exercise.
Fr. Augustine N. Ogumere CSSp
Ordained: Feb. 14 1982
Photo not available.
What drew you to the priesthood?
I was inspired by the White Holy Ghost priests who were working in our part of the country at the time. I was particularly impressed by their devotion to their work, the sacrifices they made coming to Africa.
What motivates you for this line of work?
I wanted to be able to help people just as the priests I met were able to do at that time. Personal holiness and a desire to be a good person. I also wanted to help people know their God.
What is most challenging?
It is quite challenging to live up to the vows I have made as a religious. Coming from Africa, the ability to minister to people of this culture and bring them to see the Gospel in the light of their circumstances and culture. I am from a communal-oriented community and it is quite challenging to work in an individualistic community.
Favorite book: The Bible.
Favorite hobby: Reading and classical music.
The most thoughtful gift anyone has given you? A book, “The Return of Sherlock Holmes,” in 1965.
What do you hope to accomplish in the next 25 years?
I would love to be able to help the young people in my country to appreciate themselves as creatures of God, by helping to encourage them to learn more about God and neighbors.
Favorite phrases? God is in charge.
Favorite verse of Scripture? “Love one another as I have loved you.”
My passion/passions are?
I will always like for people to know that they are important and that they matter. I wish people would love themselves and others, and God above all. That human beings will come to believe that we are one in Christ and bring this faith to bear on their daily living and in their interaction with everyone.
Fr. Carlos Toledo
Ordained: Dec. 11, 1982
What drew you to the priesthood?
What appealed to me about the priesthood is its high dignity of being God’s minister.
What motivates you for this line of work?
To be able to touch people at the deepest level of their person. To bring them the greatest good — eternal realities.
What is most challenging?
To live the holy and dedicated life of a priest and bring the people to receive God willingly into their lives.
Favorite book? “The Imitation of Christ,” by Thomas á Kempis.
Favorite hobby? Reading for self-improvement and recreation.
What do you hope to accomplish in the next 25 years?
To continue deepening people’s understanding of the faith and to strengthen their commitment to the Lord in Jesus Christ.
Favorite verse of Scripture?
“This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” John 13:35.
My passion/passions are: Computer and electronic gadgets.
What advice do you have for the diocese’s newest priests?
Draw close to God and to the people in love. Be patient, compassionate and understanding of others’ failures and weaknesses as God is with us. Never stop learning.
— Claudia I. Provencio
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