Fr. FRANCISCO SORDO
"My Story in 2022"
"My Story in 2022"
Every human person strives towards Holiness in his/her Single, Married, Priestly or Religious Life. The most important thing is to be an instrument of God, bringing others to Christ.
My Name is Francisco Sordo. I am 60 years old and I was born in Mexico. After surviving a couple of life-threatening events, I was blessed to be able to immigrate to Canada in 2007, my life-long dream.
I was recently appointed by your excellency, Bishop Douglas Crosby to be the Pastor of St. Joseph (Port Elgin) and St. Patrick parishes beginning June 29, 2022. I have a Bachelors Degree in Engineering, an MBA, and since 2005 I became a Certified Financial Officer (CTP). I had very successful positions, within the Corporate World for the past 30 years.
My Name is Francisco Sordo. I am 60 years old and I was born in Mexico. After surviving a couple of life-threatening events, I was blessed to be able to immigrate to Canada in 2007, my life-long dream.
I was recently appointed by your excellency, Bishop Douglas Crosby to be the Pastor of St. Joseph (Port Elgin) and St. Patrick parishes beginning June 29, 2022. I have a Bachelors Degree in Engineering, an MBA, and since 2005 I became a Certified Financial Officer (CTP). I had very successful positions, within the Corporate World for the past 30 years.
In spite of having what most people would think as “living the dream”, I spent most of my adult life experiencing a lack of fulfilment and joy. I was living my life to the full and yet something was missing. In an effort to find real happiness and make sense of my life, I began purposely searching for something or I should have said “Someone”.
Then suddenly, by God’s Providence (a.k.a. “God-cidence”), I happened to discover at my local Parish, Catholic CDs and DVDs which began to feed my hunger. The one life changing factor was the discovery of a mnemotechnic method of reading the Bible………. I got hooked..... Immediately, I bought the DVD, and devoured it.
Then suddenly, by God’s Providence (a.k.a. “God-cidence”), I happened to discover at my local Parish, Catholic CDs and DVDs which began to feed my hunger. The one life changing factor was the discovery of a mnemotechnic method of reading the Bible………. I got hooked..... Immediately, I bought the DVD, and devoured it.
Then I talked to my Pastor, Fr. Mark Gatto, about having such program at the Parish and he said……… sure………... you lead it! ………… I led bible studies for almost 5 years. Initially I was just playing the DVDs and facilitating the sessions; however, as the time passed, I got more involved. I became so profoundly interested in knowing my faith at a deeper level, that I spent most of my free time studying the Scriptures.
The result was, that my heart and mind were opened to our Lord Jesus Christ. With each passing day I became more aware that God could be calling me to a deeper commitment to Him and His Church. Unfortunately, I dismissed the thought of entering a seminary believing I was too old.
Eventually, I discussed my interest with my Pastor and he made me aware of formation for second-career vocations. He referred me to the Vocation Director who, among other things, told me about Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary, in Boston, as an option for me. Its vision is to form seminarians 30 – 60 years of age responding to a call to priestly ministry. I was ready and eager to apply. The Vocations Director, however, suggested that I should take some time discerning if this was a real call or just a temporary and superficial enthusiasm stemming from my bible studies and associated conferences.
I spent a year participating in discernment groups and other events, and on January, I applied. By the way, I had to live a dual life; discerning on one hand and continue my daily work at the bank. Nobody knew about it, not even my siblings.
The result was, that my heart and mind were opened to our Lord Jesus Christ. With each passing day I became more aware that God could be calling me to a deeper commitment to Him and His Church. Unfortunately, I dismissed the thought of entering a seminary believing I was too old.
Eventually, I discussed my interest with my Pastor and he made me aware of formation for second-career vocations. He referred me to the Vocation Director who, among other things, told me about Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary, in Boston, as an option for me. Its vision is to form seminarians 30 – 60 years of age responding to a call to priestly ministry. I was ready and eager to apply. The Vocations Director, however, suggested that I should take some time discerning if this was a real call or just a temporary and superficial enthusiasm stemming from my bible studies and associated conferences.
I spent a year participating in discernment groups and other events, and on January, I applied. By the way, I had to live a dual life; discerning on one hand and continue my daily work at the bank. Nobody knew about it, not even my siblings.
One more blessing came into my life. I learned about a Pilgrimage to Holy Land with Jeff Cavins and Fr. Mike Schmitz on May 2016, whose focus was on discernment. Every Holy site we visited, confirmed my call.
In June, after physiological exams and interviews, I was accepted. I had to face the dilemma of how to tell my Bank Director that I was resigning from my dream job, the one I had searched for, for many years. I went to Eucharistic Adoration one night. The following day, God “arranged” the perfect conditions for me to tell him.
In June, after physiological exams and interviews, I was accepted. I had to face the dilemma of how to tell my Bank Director that I was resigning from my dream job, the one I had searched for, for many years. I went to Eucharistic Adoration one night. The following day, God “arranged” the perfect conditions for me to tell him.
His first expression was one of “awe”, surprised that I was leaving, but when I told him why, his expression changed to one of “great joy”. Everyone I told the news was very supportive and encouraging. For me, this was a confirmation of the Will of God manifesting through them. Everything happened very quickly. In just “one week”, I sold my house and drove to Boston: all extremely stressful but, at the same time, very fulfilling.
At the seminary, a real sense of fraternity permeates through the Faculty, Staff and my fellow Seminarians. The Seminary is composed of older, experienced men, single men and widowers, who decided to respond to God’s call leaving their former walks of life. Each one brings a wealth of experience and gifts that contribute to the formation of the seminarian community. I finished my studies in March 2020, right at the beginning of C-19.
I was Ordained on August 15, 2020, the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The C-19 restrictions eased up a bit, although attendance was very limited…none of my siblings were able to attend on person.
My first assignment as Associate Pastor was at St. Michael Parish in Oakville, followed by a 4-month period as Administrator at Blessed Sacrament Parish (Burford) and St. Anthony Daniel Church (Scotland).
The whole process, from the period of discernment until today, with just two years as a Priest, has been a time of great Peace (Heb. Shalom) and joy despite the many challenges. I haven't regretted it for a second. I have the greatest Boss anyone could have or imagine. May God bless you and your families.
The whole process, from the period of discernment until today, with just two years as a Priest, has been a time of great Peace (Heb. Shalom) and joy despite the many challenges. I haven't regretted it for a second. I have the greatest Boss anyone could have or imagine. May God bless you and your families.