June 9, 2008

BISHOP ORDAINS TWO FOR PRIESTHOOD

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio ordained two young men to the priesthood for the Diocese of Brooklyn at a Mass in St. James Cathedral Basilica in Brooklyn on Saturday, June 7.

The Bishop administered the Sacrament of Holy Orders to Father James Rodriguez (left), 26, born in Jackson Heights, and Father Patrick H. Longalong, 27, a native of the Philippines. They recently completed theological studies in preparation for ordination at the Immaculate Conception Seminary, Huntington, L.I.

Father Rodriguez has been assigned to serve as a parochial vicar at Most Precious Blood parish in Astoria and Father Longalong will serve as a parochial vicar at Our Lady of the Snows parish, Floral Park.

Father Rodriguez, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Valentin Rodriguez, is a graduate of Blessed Sacrament School, Jackson Heights; Holy Cross High School, Flushing, and New York University.

He entered the formation program at the Cathedral Residence of the Immaculate Conception, Douglaston, while in his sophomore year in college and says he first began thinking of a vocation to the priesthood in high school.

In between his second and third years at the Immaculate Conception Seminary, he spent his pastoral year at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Jamaica. He has also served on weekends at Our Lady of Solace Church, Coney Island.

Father Rodriguez has a cousin, Father Serafin Marte, recently ordained, who serves in the parish of Sagrado Corazon in Sabana Iglesia, the Dominican Republic.

Father Longalong, born in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija, the Philippines, is the son of Benedicto and Amparo Longalong. He came to this country in 1993.

He was educated at Francisco Benitez School, Makati, the Philippines; Parsons Junior High School, Flushing; Francis Lewis High School, Fresh Meadows, and St. John’s University, Jamaica. He began the formation program at Cathedral Residence as a student at St. John’s.

Father Longalong, who served his pastoral year at Blessed Sacrament Church, Cypress Hills, has had musical training and has studied music theory. He plays the piano and organ and composed the alma mater for Francis Lewis High School.

His older brother, Michael A. Flores, is a second-year postulant for the Capuchin Franciscans in the Philippines.

Father Longalong returned to Blessed Sacrament Church in Cypress Hills to celebrate his First Mass on Sunday, June 8. Msgr. Thomas G. Caserta preached the homily and the concelebrants included Fathers Francis T. Shannon and Peter D. Gillen.

Father Rodriguez celebrated his First Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church in Jackson Heights, on Sunday, June 8. Father Bryan D. Patterson preached the homily and the concelebrants included Msgr. Raymond W. Kutner and Fathers Steven A. Ferrari, Christopher M. O’Connor and Michael J. McHugh.

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6/9/08