THE United States of America may be his new home, but the Philippines will always be in his heart.
Father Joel Lopez, a parochial vicar at St. Bernadette Parish in Rockford, became a naturalized citizen, and became a naturalized citizen of the United States earlier this year.
He took the Oath of Allegiance at a ceremony on May 5, according to the Rockford Observer.
Father Lopez, originally from Pasig City, Philippines came to the US in 1999 with a tourist visa. Four years later, he received a student visa; two years after that, a religious visa; and five years later a green card -- making him a permanent resident, the Observer reports.
Prior to coming to the US, Father Lopez worked as a “labor and employment officer” at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). He was a talent screener responsible for making sure that overseas bound entertainers really posses the required talent, according to his bio.
He graduated with a Master’s Degree in Divinity from Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland. He is also a candidate for an MA Degree in Developmental Anthropology at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.
Prior to his role as parochial vicar at St. Bernadette, he served as an associate pastor at St. John Newman Church in Saint Charles, IL.
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