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Have you visited
Colorado?
Two times. In December,
1999, Archbishop Chaput invited me to Denver to discuss the Hispanic Seminary
of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, which is working with the U.S.
bishops to promote Hispanic vocations to the priesthood in the United
States and Canada. The seminary was founded by Cardinal Norberto Rivera
of Mexico City and, at the time, I was president of the National Association
of Hispanic Priests.
Last September,
I was with a priest from Mexico City and we were visiting U.S. bishops
to talk with them about the new Hispanic Seminary. Our first stop was
Denver, but as we were leaving the airport, my friend became very sick
and started shaking. I dialed 911 on my cellular telephone and was directed
to Denver General Hospital. I was afraid he was having a heart attack,
but it turned out to be appendicitis. He had surgery the next day, and
was in the hospital for a week. The surgery was very successful, and he
recovered. I was with him throughout the week, which gave me the opportunity
to pray a great deal in the Archdiocese of Denver.
You were born
in Monterrey, Mexico?
Yes, My parents were
Jose and Esperanza Velasco-Gomez. My father was a medical doctor and my
mother was a housewife. My father died in 1988, and my mother passed away
last year on January 24. I have four sisters: Alicia, Maria Luisa, Maria
del Carmen and Maria Eugenia.
Monterrey is a great
city. Like Denver, it is near the mountains. When I was growing up in
the late `50s and early `60s, it was a city of some one million people.
It had the feel of a small town - people didn't lock their cars and the
doors of homes were always open. The church was vibrant - there were many
outdoor processions and people were praying in the streets all the time.
I enjoyed playing sports, and there was always a game going on in one
of the many nearby parks.
Your English
is perfect, how did you learn to speak it so well?
As a child, my mother
lived in San Antonio. As you can imagine, one of her goals in life was
forcing me to learn English, which I always refused. But mothers are always
right, so throughout my education I have taken English classes. When I
came to the United States, I understood about 90 percent of what people
were saying, but couldn't speak it. The first six months were difficult,
but after that, the Holy Spirit must have helped me, because now I converse
very easily. I know my mother must be very happy right now!
What led you
to consider the priesthood?
I went to elementary
and middle schools run by the Marist Brothers. Through their teaching
and example, I learned about my faith, especially the importance of devotion
to the Blessed Mother. Because of that, I was open to the possibility
of the priesthood. After graduating from high school, I entered Monterrey
State University where I was determined to take my faith seriously. It
was at that time that I joined Opus Dei. Members of Opus Dei have a vocation,
a call from God, to practice their faith in the daily struggles of life.
The majority of members in Opus Dei are married and have families, but
there are also many single people, some of whom may be invited by the
prelate to become priests. The idea of becoming a priest began to mature
in my mind, and, when I finished college, I was encouraged by the directors
of Opus Dei to go to Rome and study theology. I prayed about it, and began
to see it as an option. I talked to my parents, and they were happy. My
father was a little nervous because he was getting older and thought that
if I went to Europe he might not have the chance to see me again, but
he was always very supportive.
In Rome, I felt
a strong attraction to the priesthood. Finally, I spoke to the bishop-prelate
of Opus Dei and told him, "If you want me to be a priest, I am willing
to do it." He reminded me that our founder, Blessed Josemaria Escriva,
had said becoming a priest in Opus Dei requires three things: the will
of God, the free will of the person seeking to become a priest, and directors'
agreement that it was good for that person to become a priest. After a
year of discernment, they asked me if I still wanted to be a priest. I
said yes and was accepted into formation. It was a long process of growing
in maturity, and maturing the idea of becoming a priest.
What do you love
most about being a priest?
I love being with
people - talking with them, helping them when I can and especially bringing
them the sacraments.
Where have you
served?
After I was ordained
in 1978, I ministered for three years in Spain while I finished my doctorate
in moral theology. I returned to Mexico, where I was in charge of youth
ministry in our deanery in Monterrey and worked with young Catholics in
high school and college.
In 1987, I was assigned
to the prelature of Opus Dei in Texas. When I arrived in the Diocese of
Galveston-Houston, Bishop Joseph Fiorenza asked me to assist at St. Bartholomew
Parish in Katy, Texas. At that time, it was a small community, but has
since grown to some 2500 families. I assisted in the ordinary work of
the parish by celebrating masses, doing weddings, organizing Bible studies
and prayer groups and encouraging the youth. I worked a great deal with
the Hispanic community at the parish, most of whom were from Mexico, but
there were many others from across Latin America.
In 1991, I was named
regional representative for the National Association of Hispanic Priests,
which serves the more than 2,000 Hispanic priests in the U.S. In 1995,
I was elected president of the organization, a position I held until being
named executive director in 1999. During this time, I was on the planning
committee for "Encuentro 2000" in Los Angeles, one of the major
national events celebrating the Great Jubilee. The gathering provided
a beautiful opportunity to celebrate the gifts of the many cultural communities
that make up our Church in the United States.
In 1999, I was appointed
Vicar of Texas for Opus Dei. In the United States, Opus Dei is divided
in four regions: New York, Chicago, California and Texas. I oversee several
states, and most of my work involves administration. Since our activities
are primarily directed to lay people, there are many days of recollection,
retreats, Bible study groups and other events.
Bishop Fiorenza also
asked Opus Dei to staff the Holy Cross Chapel in downtown Houston. There
are no churches in the immediate vicinity, so the chapel offers a place
for everyone from office workers to homeless people to attend Mass, receive
the Sacrament of Confession or to just sit and pray. It is closed during
the weekends, but we celebrate Mass and hear confessions there throughout
the week.
Do you have any
hobbies or special interests?
I love to read and
also enjoy taking drives, which I find very relaxing. I am fascinated
by new technology like computers, the internet and things like "Palm
Pilots." I grew up playing soccer and enjoy sports. I remember in
junior high school listening to the World Series on the radio. It was
the early `60s, and the Yankees were winning everything. Since moving
to the United States, I've been following the three big sports here: baseball,
basketball and football. I still enjoy playing sports like soccer, basketball
and tennis.
What are your
favorite teams?
I don't know if I
should say this, but my favorite football team is the Green Bay Packers.
Why? Because when I started playing and watching football, the Packers
were the best team. I just read "When Pride Still Mattered,"
the biography of Vince Lombardi. He was a devout Catholic and a daily
communicant. Everyone knows that Lombardi was a great competitor and he
wanted to win. I like that. He was also very disciplined, which is necessary
for those who want to accomplish things in life.
I should add that
I have recently taken a great interest in the Denver Broncos.
You mentioned
technology, how can this new tool be put to use for the Church?
New technologies
offer a wonderful way to proclaim the Gospel. This is especially true
for kids, who spend a great deal of time in front of computers, but also
for adults, who are seeking ongoing faith formation. This must be done
with care because there is a great deal of negative content on the internet,
but there are also many outstanding Catholic websites and more people
should be aware of them.
Is this an area
where lay people can take a leadership role?
The role of the lay
people in the life of the Church is incredibly important. We are the People
of God and are united in faith and love in the service of God. For me,
the most important priorities are the family, youth and vocations. In
the past, evangelization was primarily the responsibility of priests,
religious and bishops. Today, lay people are taking a leading role in
carrying on the mission of the Church. This is done first by knowing and
living their faith, and second by preaching the Gospel by word and example.
I think 90 percent of what Pope John Paul II calls the "new evangelization"
will be done by lay people. As more and more Catholics begin practicing
their faith in their daily lives, we will begin to see a transformation
of society.
Is there a message
you would like to share with the priests and people of northern Colorado?
The first thing I
would ask is for everyone's prayers, since I am receiving a big responsibility.
To the priests, I would say that it is my hope to be able to work together
with them, and to serve them in whatever way I can. I have been a priest
for 22 years, so I hope they can see me as a brother priest, and as someone
who has been called to serve them in a special way.
I want the people
to know that I am very happy that the Holy Father has asked me to serve
in northern Colorado. I hope that I am able to assist Archbishop Charles
in serving the People of God in the Archdiocese of Denver. I love people,
and am very happy to give myself in service to others. The Archbishop
has told me that he wants me to be the Auxiliary Bishop for all the Catholics
in the Archdiocese, and that's what I want to do. That being said, I have
a special love and concern for the Hispanic people and look forward to
serving them in a special way.
Will you miss
Texas?
I have many good
friends in Houston and also in San Antonio. Moving will be difficult as
I have met so many wonderful people here. Still, I look forward to getting
to know my brothers and sisters in faith in northern Colorado.
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