I BOLDLY asked Fr. Alex what makes him realize God exceeds science. His response was persuasive: “It is the experience. I cannot show empirical data. I know what I am feeling is authentic, it is true. “
He was 12 years old when he first heard God’s calling. It was his second year in Don Bosco High School in Makati when one summer, their class went to a seminary in San Fernando, Pampanga on a field trip. Curious, he pulled himself away from the group. He stayed to look at the dorm, the study hall, and felt an inner longing: “ I want to be here. “ He calls it as “The Hounds of Heaven.”
The desire stayed strong, as he remained active in church with his parents, Geronimo, a pilot for Philippine Airlines and Emerciana, a housewife; his two brothers, Teodoro and Renato; and five sisters, Rosa, Corazon, Elena, Teresita and Susan. After all, their house and the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Makati shared a common perimeter fence.
But like other parents concerned about his future, Geronimo and Emerciana encouraged him to get a degree and to have a career. He got a degree in Bachelor’s of Science in Medical Technology from the University of Santo Tomas. There, he became a tenured instructor for the sciences: chemistry, botany, physiology, hematology and microbiology.
One summer vacation, he applied to become a computer programmer at Meralco. He was later promoted as a systems manager. He then moved to Summa Computers, FNCB Finance, and San Miguel Corporation.
But, the Hounds of Heaven got louder.
When he moved to the US, he was hired as a systems analyst at Union Bank. Two years later, he became a systems manager overseeing 6 employees and a budget of $1,000,000. By now, he had knowledge in the biological and physical sciences, computer sciences, including the design work that went into computers, the use of logic, creativity, problem solving and critical thinking skills.
The Hounds of Heaven got even louder.
He credits his church’s group in the US for introducing him to a serious process of discernment. At first, he gave the discernment process only part of his attention. It came to a point that to give it justice, he had to make a decision: “Should I pursue this part-time, work at a bank full-time or pursue this in a seminary full-time?”
He applied at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and pursued a Master’s of Divinity at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, California. After five years, he completed his Master’s of Divinity and passed background checks and psychological exams.
He was ordained as a priest in 1993 by Cardinal Roger Mahony, at age 42. The Hounds of Heaven have now been heard.
He became an associate priest of St. Finbar, and started a Filipino ministry, which continues, even after 17 years. I asked him the process he took to establish the ministry. Like any systems-oriented analyst, he responded: “ First, identify the leaders. Organize a get-together, and assign them. The key is to involve them in the parish for invariably, their talents would be found and they will like being in the ministry. Their various tasks included giving sacraments, going to the choir, doing the apostolic work amongst the poor, the sick and doing door-to-door visitation amongst the parishioners. “
He became the vocations director for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, while residing at Immaculate Heart of Mary, and worked with teenagers for three years. He then became the Associate Pastor St. John of God in Norwalk, and organized the Filipino ministry. He started a bereavement ministry to support the beginning experiences, a theme of respect for life, for the widows, widowers, and family members who lost their loved ones. He was the Spiritual Director of the Filipino Cursillo group in 2009-2010 and served for five years, as the Archdiocesan Liaison for Filipino Charismatic Groups.
He is currently the Regional Vocations Director for the San Gabriel Region for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. To those interested in becoming a priest, call (213) 637-7248 or visit their website at www.lavocations.org.
He is the pastor for St. Madeleine Church, which runs a pre-K to high school program, along with active ministries in faith formation, liturgy and spirituality, youth and hospitality. He actively coordinates with pastors of Sacred Heart Church in Pomona, St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pomona, Catholic Charities of Los Angeles and the Felecian Sisters of the Southwest, Rio Rancho in New Mexico, in providing professional counseling services to low income families in Pomona and surrounding cities.
In 2009, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin reported that “St. Madeleine Catholic School and Pomona Catholic High School partner[ed] to open Pomona Valley Catholic Middle School and St. Madeleine Early Childhood Education Program. “We really feel this is the way to give people in the Pomona Valley (a means) to give their children a Catholic education,” said the Rev. Alex Aclan.
Fr. Alex Aclan continues to be optimistic, serving as a priest for 17 years now, even while surrounded by drive-by shootings and joblessness. He works tirelessly with citizens who are actively engaged in creating a more just society through various congregations, schools, unions, non-profits who believe in exercising their relational power to advocate for more responsive city council, a better quality of life, and the delivery of municipal services that take into account the citizens of Pomona, through One Los Angeles.
“ Communal reflection emphasizes that our sins affect others and our reconciliation is with the community as well as with God,” he said.
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