Bishop names St. Catherine of Siena pastor new vicar for priests

By Ambria Hammel | March 5, 2009 | The Catholic Sun

Priests are used to wearing many hats — from Mass celebrant to confessor to counselor to business administrator.

But Fr. David Sanfilippo — vicar general, pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish and executive director of the Office of Ethnic Ministries — is about to take on one more duty: priest to the priests.

Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted selected Fr. Sanfilippo, who turns 42 this month, to succeed Bishop-elect Jim Wall as the diocese’s next vicar for priests. His position begins in April after Bishop-elect Wall is ordained and installed as bishop of the Diocese of Gallup.

“He understands, at the grassroots level, the kinds of pastoral challenges that our priests face in a variety of settings,” Bishop Olmsted said.

That’s because since his ordination in 1994, Fr. Sanfilippo has served exclusively in multicultural and bilingual parishes, “often ones facing significant financial and other challenges,” the bishop said.

That skill set will be important as the vicar for priests is charged with helping the bishop by serving diocesan clergy, recruiting priests of various cultures and languages and overseeing ongoing priestly formation.

While Fr. Sanfilippo will embrace his new role, he did not expect it.

“I think my initial reaction to Bishop Olmsted’s request was, ‘This is a day full of surprises!’” he said.

The bishop asked Fr. Sanfilippo if he would accept the vicar for priests position after a luncheon Feb. 17. Hours earlier, the bishop announced that the pope granted the honorary title of “monsignor” to three diocesan priests.

As vicar for priests, Fr. Sanfilippo will work closely with the Priest Placement Board in discerning future priest assignments. One of those assignments includes appointing his replacement. Fr. Sanfilippo, pastor of St. Catherine since 2002, will continue his duties there through June when a new pastor will be assigned.

He will retain his other diocesan roles.

Sara Perez, parishioner at St. Catherine, has known Fr. Sanfilippo since his first priest assignment at St. Matthew Parish in 1994.

“He is very patient with the people,” Perez said, adding that he is always interested in hearing what they have to say, especially when they’re troubled. “When you talk to him, he always has a good response.”

Perez knows her pastor’s time is always tight. Fr. Sanfilippo also serves as canonical pastor of St. Martin de Porres Parish, and as vicar general, oversees the Office of Ethnic Ministries and the Office of Worship and Liturgy. He sits on two diocesan councils plus the bishop’s Justice for Immigrants task force.

That doesn’t stop Fr. Sanfilippo from squeezing in quality time with those he serves, Perez said.

“He never says ‘no,’” she said.

Fr. Bud Pelletier agreed. The pastor of Our Lady of Joy Parish in Carefree has been friends with Fr. Sanfilippo since their final four years of the seminary and has never known him to turn down anyone asking for help.

“I think part of his energy is his desire to seek God’s will for himself and others,” Fr. Pelletier said. “If he believes this is what God wants, then he knows that God provides the energy and skill necessary to do it. It is based on a deep trust in God.”

Fr. Pelletier knows his friend well.

“I do not believe the Lord has called me to this service because of any human strengths or experience,” Fr. Sanfilippo said. Instead, he prays for a fruitful ministry despite his weaknesses. Fr. Sanfilippo looks forward to personally visiting the priests to better understand them and their ministries.

That will help Fr. Sanfilippo when he offers sacramental ministry on weekends in parishes where the local priest is away. He will also find priests to help out at parishes on the weekends.

“Fr. Sanfilippo truly is a pastoral person,” said José Robles, director of the diocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry. Robles began working with Fr. Sanfilippo in 1998 on immigration-related projects.

Fr. Sanfilippo has overseen Hispanic ministry since 2004 and last year, led the implementation of the quarterly Mass for immigrants.

“In the 11 years I’ve known him, he has demonstrated that he’s highly experienced and demonstrated a high level of ability and a distinctive competence as a priest,” Robles said.

He added that he has a high regard for Fr. Sanfilippo’s standard of ethics. Robles said the vicar general’s loyalty and understanding of human behavior will make him an effective vicar for priests.

“He maintains a fast-paced schedule,” Robles said. “He’s very busy but he’s able to meet all his challenges with authority and enthusiasm.”