Denver Catholic

4 MAY 28-JUNE 10, 2016 | DENVER CATHOLIC Cover Story Meet Denver's diverse new priests S even men were ordained to the priesthood on May 14 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immac- ulate Conception. The diverse nationalities of the men represented the universality of the Church, Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila said. "It is a great witness to the univer- sality of the church that we have men being ordained today from Vietnam, from Mexico, from Colombia and from here in the United States," Archbishop Aquila said. The bishop of the diocese of Bui Chu,« Thomas Vu, was in attendance at the ordination. Archbishop Aquila thanked him for his presence and for so graciously allowing two of the newly ordained, Vincent Bui and Thomas Nyugen, to study for the priesthood in Denver. During the homily, Archbishop Aquila implored to men to maintain a demeanor of humility and servanthood, imitating that of Christ in their own priesthood. "It is important for you to under- stand your own weaknesses. You are called to be deeply rooted in your own humility," Archbishop Aquila said.« He said that only with the heart of Jesus can the men fulfi ll their priestly duties. "In your ministry you will meet those who are sick and suŸ ering. It is only with the heart of Christ that when you are called in the middle of the night to go and anoint the sick or baptize the dying that you will do so with joy," he said. He also reminded them that no matter where they are called to serve, their mission will always remain the same: to lead others to Christ. "It is precisely in your ministry that you will be nourished as priests, no matter where you are called to serve," Archbishop Aquila said. "You are sent with the same mission, and that is to lead others to Christ." FATHER VINCENT BUI Vincent Bui felt the call to enter the priesthood as early as the age of fi ve. Of course, the priesthood also ran in his family. His uncle, also named Vincent Bui, was a priest, and at the age of 12, Bui went to stay with his uncle. This had a profound impact on him that would solidify his call to become a priest. "Since I had lived with [my uncle], I had read the whole Bible, Catechism and many books of the saints," Bui said. "I was inspired by those and my uncle's priestly life and I felt the call to priesthood." Now, after eight years of seminary, Bui has been ordained a priest for his home diocese of Bui Chu. Though he falls under the jurisdiction of that diocese, Bui has been assigned to serve at All Saints Parish in Denver for the next three years, which has a large number of Viet- namese parishioners. FATHER JAMES CLAVER James Claver didn't know many priests grow- ing up. His community, though, was convinced he would become one. These suggestions began when Claver was 15. He said he fi rst felt called to the priesthood at 18. Now, at 31, he has fi nally been ordained. "I've never looked for- ward to something more than this in my whole life," he said. Claver, who will serve as the chaplain at Bishop Machebeuf High School, grew up in Austin, Texas. He is a member of the Ser- vants of Christ Jesus. He said that he is excited for spiritual fatherhood. "I think that's what is more admirable and amazing about a good priest —they are able to be a father to you without being related to you," he said. FATHER MASON FRALEY Raised in a nominally Catholic home, Father Mason Fraley went to Catholic school. He applied for seminary during his senior year of high school. "The priesthood scared me because it was a rad- ical way of life, but my experience of joy in Christ made me want only to share that experience with others, particularly in the uniquely privileged way as a priest," he said. His fi rst assignment will be as Parochial Vicar at Immaculate Heart of Mary parish in Northglenn. He said he is most excited about sharing the sacrament of reconciliation. "Encountering the love of God in the sacrament through the kindness of his priests has been hugely signifi cant in my own life, and I can't wait to give that to others," he said. BY AARON LAMBERT aaron.lambert@archden.org @AaronLmbrt Watch the ordinations at archden.org/livestream ORDINATIONS

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