WITH Sacramento’s growing Filipino population, it is no wonder the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento has so many Pinoy priests.
One priest, in particular, Father Polycarpo (Pol) Gumapo has led the path that many Filipino priests have followed.
Father Gumapo came to the Diocese of Sacramento in April 1983. He became the first Filipino priest to serve in the Diocese and has since “become role model, mentor and inspiration for the great number of Filipino priests who have truly blessed our diocese by following him to Northern California,” according to officials at Holy Family Parish where he is currently serving as parochial administrator.
Born January 26, 1942, Father Gumapo was the youngest of eight children and was raised in Medina, Misamis Oriental in the Philippines.
After being ordained by Pope Paul VI on November 28, 1970 at Luneta Park in Manila, he served in the Archdiocese of Cagayan De Oro City, Philippines for 13 years before coming over to the US in 1983.
Since arriving, Father Gumapo has served in many of the churches around the Sacramento area as a parochial vicar or pastor including the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Saint Vincent Ferrer Parish in Vallejo, Saint Anne Parish in Meadowview, All Hollows Parish, and at St. Joseph Parish in Lincoln before his current position as parochial administrator at Holy Family Parish.
Aside from serving God as a pastor, he is also known as a gifted singer. In 2005, he formed a touring performance group called “Priests Evangelizing Through Song.” The group served as a support group for Filipino priests new to the diocese adjusting to life in a new country.
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