Garden Grove, Calif., (July 26, 2019) – The Most Reverend Kevin Vann, Bishop of Orange, will ordain six men to the priesthood in the first Ordination, an ancient and solemn ceremony, held at the newly-dedicated Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove, Calif. on Saturday, July 27,  2019 beginning at 10 a.m. The soon-to-be-ordained will be welcomed by a large and vibrant Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, a Catholic community that traces its beginnings to Saint Junípero Serra and the first Catholic missionaries who founded the Mission at San Juan Capistrano in 1776. Today, the Diocese of Orange holds the distinction of being one of the most ethnically diverse in the nation.

“The faith, dedication, and commitment of these six young men are a blessing from God and a gift to our Diocese. Their ministry and talents are vital as we work to care for the needs of our ever increasing flock, with more than 1.3 million faithful. God has blessed the Diocese of Orange with an energetic and faith filled community. We as priests seek to journey with them and guide them to an ever deeper relationship with Jesus.” said Bishop Vann.

The six ordinands include:

Rev. Mr. Erialdo Ramírez Alfaro:

Deacon Erialdo Ramírez Alfaro, 29, was born in Guadalajara Jalisco, Mexico. Along with his siblings, Mireya (his fraternal twin), Alejandro and Barbara, he comes from a family of dentists including his grandfather, his mother, his uncles, his cousins and all his siblings. Deacon Erialdo heard God’s call to the priesthood for the first time when he was very young growing up in Zacoalco de Torres where he was surrounded by a deep Catholic culture. At 12 years old, he fell in love with the scriptures, the Church, the priesthood, and above all with Christ. He entered the seminary in 2007 in Guadalajara and obtained a license (roughly equivalent to a Master’s Degree) in philosophy. He went on and entered Saint Joseph’s Seminary in the Archdiocese of New York and completed one year of English and three years of theology. In 2016, he joined the Diocese of Orange where he served as an intern at Saint Bonaventure in Huntington Beach and Saint Mary in Fullerton, Calif.

First assignment:  Parochial Vicar, Saint Cecilia in Tustin, Calif.

Rev. Mr. Scott Jameson Allen:

Deacon Scott Jameson Allen, 34, the son of Verne and Karen Allen, grew up in Yorba Linda. Deacon Scott is the youngest of four, who include two brothers, Kevin and Keith and sister, Kim. An avid beach and indoor volleyball player, he plays the highland bagpipe and has a great appreciation for the game of soccer. He finds great enjoyment in the works and humor of Mark Twain.

His home parish is St. Martin de Porres. He heard the Lord’s call to serve him in his sophomore year in high school at the end of the Mass where and when he received the sacrament of confirmation. Unsure what the call was, he put it “on the shelf” to be revisited later.

A graduate of Valencia High School in Placentia, Santa Ana College Fire Academy, and California State University, Fullerton, Deacon Scott first pursued a career in the fire service. He is fluent in and holds an associate degree in American Sign Language from Mount San Antonio College and has been active teaching in the deaf community. Deacon Scott entered St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park at the age of 28. After two years at St. Patrick’s Seminary, he attended the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Italy for his theological formation. He received his Bachelor’s in Sacred Theology (S.T.B) at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, also known as the Angelicum.

First assignment:  The Pontifical North American College in Rome to complete requirements to earn a license in Thomistic Studies

Rev. Mr. Michael Duc Nguyen:

Rev. Mr. Michael Duc Nguyen, 28, was born in in Fountain Valley and calls Costa Mesa his hometown. He attended Saint John the Baptist, Mater Dei High School and the University of California at Irvine (UCI) before joining Mount Angel Seminary in 2012. He undertook theological studies beginning in 2014 at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.

He felt the initial tug to the priesthood when he was in 7^th grade participating in three World Youth Day Events (Germany, Australia, and Spain). While completing courses at UCI and preparing to apply to Medical School, he began to intentionally pray about his vocation and remembers changing his prayer from “God, what should I do with my life?” to “God, what do YOU want me to do with my life?”

He said that trusting God’s call allowed him the grace to know his will. He was praying in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and was all alone. As he prayed, asking for clarity and direction in his life, Deacon Michael heard this sweet and beautiful voice whispering to his soul saying, “Michael, my son, if you become a doctor, you can heal people’s physical ailments, but if you become my priest, you can do much more, you can heal the sufferings of the soul.”

First Assignment:

The Pontifical North American College in Rome, continuing studies in Canon Law.

Rev. Mr. Daniel Jonguen Seo

Rev. Mr. Daniel Jonguen Seo, 29, was born in Torrance and raised in La Palma. He loves being active and enjoys backpacking, snowboarding, fishing, cycling and running. He is a graduate of Kennedy High School, University of California, Irvine and St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo.

While searching to do something impactful with his life, Deacon Daniel’s focus was centered on achievements that ended with himself and were temporal and not eternal. His calling to the priesthood came in his last quarter of college when on Good Shepherd Sunday by providence and in the most ordinary way he realized God helped him see that the greatest impact he can have on the world is to save souls–beginning with my own. He asked God to speak to him that week if he had a call to the priesthood. God called him three times. It was then he realized that this was God’s plan. 

First Assignment: Parochial Vicar at Holy Family Cathedral in Orange, Calif.

Rev. Mr. Joseph Vincent Squillacioti:

Rev. Joseph Vincent Squillacioti, 43, from Orange graduated from Mater Dei High School, Santa Ana College, California State University, Fullerton (BA – Religious Studies), Loyola Marymount University (Certificate of Catechetical Leadership), Mount Angel Seminary (Pre-Theology) and the Pontifical North American College in Rome.

Known as “Joe” by his family and friends, he thought about the priesthood since the 2^nd and 3^rd grade and the desire came from the love of liturgy, many inspirational priests, and being involved in many ministries such RCIA, Eucharistic Ministry, Altar Servers and Lectors. He finally came to the realization that “it is time, it has been too long.” What drew him to the priesthood are the core aspects of being a priest:  teaching, catechizing, and being part of the liturgy. He believes these are incredible evangelization tools and believes that he can contribute to that, especially in the Diocese of Orange.

First Assignment: The Pontifical North American College in Rome to complete Liturgy studies.

Rev. Mr. Martin Duc Anh Vu

Rev. Mr. Martin Duc Anh Vu, 29, from Fountain Valley, Calif. was born in Garden Grove and attended Fountain Valley High School, University of California, Irvine (B.A. in Business Administration), St. John’s Seminary (Masters of Divinity, Master of Arts in Theology).

It was in college that Deacon Martin rediscovered the beauty, goodness, and truth of his Catholic faith, and it was also there that he heard God’s call to become a priest of Jesus Christ. His priestly motto comes from Mary’s words in Luke 1:38 “Let it be done unto me according to your word.” Mary’s response of faith and obedience to the will of God is what he seeks to live.

First Assignment: Parochial Vicar at Santiago de Compostela Parish in Lake Forest, Calif.

“This is a very positive and hopeful time for our Diocese. We celebrate the faith and commitment of these new priests as they begin their ministry to the people of Orange County. We are blessed to have such a diverse and dynamic group of dedicated ordinands in service to God’s people,” said Bishop Vann.

Pastoral Center: Communications Department

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