Two from Colombia ordained priests

By Tanya Connor | The Catholic Free Press  

Family and friends from out of state - and even from Colombia. Local Catholics eager to greet men who served at their parishes. Applause inside and outside the cathedral. 

This was the scene at the ordination of the two newest Colombians to become priests for the Worcester Diocese.  Bishop McManus ordained Carlos Francisco Ardila Navia and José Fernando Carvajal Castrillón at a special Mass Saturday at St. Paul Cathedral. The bishop welcomed those present, and those watching remotely, in English and Spanish, and preached about the holiness and ministry to which priests are called. 

With pandemic-induced precautions, the cathedral was not full, but several priests, deacons, seminarians and more than 100 lay people were there in person. 

“It’s good to see all the fathers coming together and celebrating that there are two more priests,” said Luis Fontalvo, appreciating the clergy’s support. He said he really enjoyed the ordination. He knew Father Ardila when the new priest served at St. Paul Cathedral during his formation. 

“The ordinations are always beautiful, but it’s especially a blessing when you have been on the journey with them as seminarians,” said Viola Jefferson, parish nurse at St. Mary Parish in Shrewsbury, where Father Carvajal served. She said she and others pray for all the seminarians. 

“We’re so grateful,” she said. “They become like our sons. We’re looking forward to José’s first Mass.” 

Waiting to greet Father Ardila, Nancy Denardo recalled how he immediately became part of her parish, St. Anne in Southborough, when serving there. 

“He just jumped right in, fit right in,” she said, adding that he is a warm person, with a “lovely sense of humor.” 

“He already demonstrated that he had a great priestly heart, not only to share with me his knowledge of youth ministry, but also his guidance for my own spiritual life,” said Monica Shay, who directed St. Anne’s religious education program when Father Ardila served there. “He became a very dear friend, and I’m pleased to be here at his ordination ... especially since his family’s in Colombia.” 

“We’re very proud of him and we’re glad to see him working for the community, keeping the faith up and strong,” said Father Ardila’s brother, Ivan Rivera, who came with his fiancee, Stefanie Matiz, from Colombia for the ordination. “He’s a man with strong values, very kind and wise.” 

Francisco “Paco” Sarmiento and his wife, Monica Sarmiento, said it was great to see a childhood friend “turn his life toward the community in the love of God.” They knew Father Ardila in Colombia and came in from their present home in New Jersey for his ordination. 

Father Carvajal’s cousin Andrés Jiménez also came from New Jersey for the ordination. The new priest’s mother, Diana Castrillón, and aunt, Patricia Carvajal, came from Colombia, and his sister, Juliana Carvajal, currently living in the United States, brought her boyfriend, Matt Boudreau.    

“I always support his dreams,” Father Carvajal’s sister said. “I say, ‘Go for that, if that makes you happy.’” 

Annette Gion said it was so heart-warming to see Father Carvajal, who served at her parish, St. Mary in Uxbridge, become a priest. 

“They will be good shepherds,” she said, speaking of both of the newly ordained. 

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