“WHAT brings me joy is knowing that the people that God has chosen for me to serve is being recognized, affirmed and supported in whatever talents, skills, and abilities they have. I don’t consider myself as a great innovator or a builder; rather, a facilitator for anyone, for an organization or for the community in whatever they need to achieve. I try to create an environment where they can express themselves better as human beings with gifts from God.” - Rev. Mauricio O. Goloran III, 2011
Inside Fr. Mau’s office is a muscular Jesus on a crucifix, with angular textures -- in shades of beige, dark brown and green. Opposite the crucifix is Joey Velasco’s painting, “ Hapag-asa,” depicting Jesus sharing bread with 12 poor children. One child is visibly malnourished, as his rib cage can be seen through his shirt.
I have met Fr. Mau three times now, and in each, he is upbeat. He greets folks, first with a smile, then a statement to reach out, with his signature exuberance. He jokingly said, “ If you want, I can even write it for you.”
“Huwag naman, po. It is from our dialogue together that the deeper spiritual reflections will emerge,” I said.
“Lessons and learnings from the priests you meet,” he responded.
Even though he was the sixth priest I interviewed for the week (driving 336 miles to Simi Valley, Van Nuys, Pomona, El Segundo, and Valinda and back) I didn’t feel tired at all, and looked forward to it.
At 6 years old, Fr. Mau was telling everyone he would be a priest. The naysayers doubted and predicted many would be sad, but his mother, Lagrimas, said: “Okay lang, sige lang.” Fr. Mau believes it was a real calling that he was responding to.
His maternal grandfather entered the seminary, but WW II broke out and got married afterwards. Then Lagrimas was born, who wanted to be a nun, but got married to Mauricio, Jr. and begot Mauricio III, the eldest of 8, 5 brothers and 3 sisters. He was just a regular Sunday churchgoer with his family, who prays and leads the Angelus, never an altar server, nor has anyone inspired him or encouraged him to enter the seminary. He just knew he was would like to be a priest.
After sixth grade, he entered the Queen of Apostles Seminary in Tagum, Davao, under the tutelage of the Maryknoll Fathers, where he completed high school. He had no drama, no counterforces, but got support from his parents.
He finished AB-Behavioral Sciences, major in Sociology and minor in Philosophy at the Ateneo de Davao College under the tutelage of the Jesuits. He was the only one of 32 students who proceeded to Theology. After he was trained by the Maryknoll and taught by the Jesuits, he took Theological Studies at the Regional Major Seminary of Mindanao, where the Missionaries of the Society of the Divine Word (S.V.D.) tried to form him for three years.
He continued his formation in Theology at the Loyola House of Studies in Ateneo de Manila University while residing in a religious community, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC).
In April 10, 1984, he was ordained a priest by Bishop Pedro Dean. His first assignment was in Christ the King Cathedral in Tagum, Davao as an Associate Pastor. After a year and half, he became Pastor of St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish in Moncayo, Davao del Norte, where he served for six years and continued the formation of basic ecclesial communities, a.k.a Basic Christian Communities.
Later on, he was appointed Pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Chaplaincy in Tadeco, Panabo, Davao del Norte, where he served for seven years.
He came to the US for vacation and to help his diocese in Mission Appeals. He stayed with Fr. Henry Hernando at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and helped in serving the Filipino community.
True to his promise of taking a one year vacation from parish work, he went back to his home diocese, and then sought the approval of his brother priests and the permission of his Bishop to return to the US to minister to the church of Los Angeles.
Later, he was introduced to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles by Father Hernando and was assigned to St. Martha’s Catholic Church as an Associate Pastor for seven years.
He was then appointed Associate Pastor to St. Catherine Laboure Church in Torrance for two years and was appointed Pastor of Saint Martha Catholic Church, where he remains to the present.
I sensed Fr. Mau’s self-assurance and inquired as to where it might come from. He believes it is from knowing what God wants him to do at a given moment and affirming that direction by allowing God to lead him and believing that God has a design and a hand in everything for the good of the people He has chosen for him to serve.
“God is the potter. I am but the clay in God’s hands. He forms me in the way He wants to shape me. I also remember what a Maryknoll nun told me: to bloom wherever I am planted. And to receive everything as gifts from God. “
It was another blessed morning, as I gained insights on the roots of Fr. Mau’s exuberant service to God and others. “ Bloom wherever you are planted,” he repeated.
It so happened, I just heard that from a law school commencement speaker last May.
She, too, spoke of blooming wherever you are planted, but she added: “do it with integrity, honesty and service!”
Fr. Mau must know that, as he characteristically serves with a bonus of exuberant joy!
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
