WHEN Reverend Vicente “Vic” Teneza was ordained in 2001, Bishop William K. Weigand urged him and fellow Luis Urrego priest to “let God’s people love you into your ministry.”
“I know that in the years ahead you will count many blessings as your grow in your ministry among the blessed people you will come to know and love, even in challenges,” said Weigand, according to the Diocese of Sacramento website. “Carry the Gospel in your heart, not only in your hand. Live it by your example and listen to the hearts of others as they interpret God’s message of love in their lives.”
Ten years later, Father Teneza, a pastor at St. Paul Catholic Church in Sacramento has took Weigand’s word to heart as he continues to spread God’s work in the Filipino community in Northern California.
“As pastor, I am blessed to experience God’s love through the many people who are generously involved in our parish,” he wrote on the welcome note of the St. Paul parish website. “I see it everyday in the church, in our meeting rooms, social halls, and throughout the entire compound.”
Father Teneza is a fixture in the Filipino-American community. Where there is a Filipino party or event, Father Teneza is sure to be there.
Most recently, Teneza blessed a Seafood City in South Sacramento where he told the Filipinos in the crowd “to unite and be of one heart and one mind,” according to the Sacramento Bee.
As one who always works on his craft, Teneza has helped guide young people interested in the priesthood. He’s also participated in a new priest leadership training program called, “Good Leaders, Good Shepherds” -- a program designed to help priests tackle the complex challenges of priestly ministry and be better leaders.
Father Teneza has served the St. Paul Catholic Church as pastor for the past few years. Prior to serving there, he served as parochial vicar of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Vallejo and chaplain at St. Patrick-St. Vincent. His first assignment by the Diocese of Sacramento was as parochial vicar of St. John the Baptist Parish in Folsom.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
