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Father Luis Manuel Flores-Alva arrived at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Madras for his first assignment as the pastor of a Parrish, September 30, 2009. Recounting his story, the 36-year-old Flores said his childhood was wonderful, but tinged with loneliness. He was the youngest of three children, and his mother who had heart problems, died three months after he was born. "I received everthing, care, love, protection, education, and a love of God from my grandmother who told me Bible stories. Yet, I was lonely and felt something was missing I missed my mom," he said, noting he had pictures of her.
His early years were spent in Tenincingo, Mexico, then Mexicon City. While growing up, he loved going to Catholic Mass and CCD classes (Christian doctrine), but didn't pursue church work. "My Plan was to become a teacher and specialize in math," Flores said. His senior year, he was intrigued by a dynamic girl who was a leader at the school. " I fell in love, but she was too religious," Flores laughed. In the summer of 1992, when he was 18, Flores decided he wanted to go on a week long religious retreat and signed up for one, not realizing it was a retreat for men contemplating becoming priests. "The retreat was amazing, and the priest said (after learning about his mistake) it was not a coincidence I was there. God was calling me and choosing me to be a priest." That week was the first time Luis M. Flores ever considered becoming a priest, and he saw the lifestyle was different than he'd expected. "Priests work, play, joke, know many things, and a lot of people love them. It's not a boring life. But God came to me in a mysterious way. I couldn't fall asleep. I felt God calling me and went to the chapel. I took off my shoes and then I felt God's presence," Flores said, describing the experience. "It's a voice inside of you, and you know someone's talking to you. He was asking me to become a priest," Beginning to cry, Flores responded, "If you want me, here I am Lord," and afterward felt a wave of strength, confidence, happiness and the feeling he was being embraced by God." For the next 12 years, Flores studied to become a priest, earning licenses of philosophy and theology, and a master's degree in theology at Franciscan, Jesuit and Dominican universities. After graduating, he taught two years at a Jesuit university, specializing in christology. "Catholicism is more than a religion, it's our relationship to Christ," Flores said, noting Jesus has a lot of faces: in the liturgy (Mass), in scripture, and in people -- especially those with problems and troubles. Madras assignment New Catholic priest arrived as a missionary from Mexico Flores actually came to the U.S. as a missionary. He was in training to be a missionary to Japan at the Institute of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, which has missions all over the world. Then Bishop Vasa of the Diocese of Baker invited him to visit Hermiston and consider coming to Oregon. When Flores visited in 2005, he spoke no English. He knew Greek, Latin and Hebrew from his theological studies, and had also learned French, Portuguese and some Japanese, but not English. "Americans are so friendly, and they think everyone speaks English. I learned to smile and nod," he said of his visit. It was hard for him to give up his plans for Japan, but Flores felt God needed him in Oregon. "Here there are wonderful people who are thirsty for God, love God and are willing to serve him. Even the American dollar says `Trust in God,'" Flores observed. On June 17, 2006, he was ordained as a priest in Baker City. His first assignment was as an associate pastor at St. Francis Church in Bend, where he spent three years. St. Patrick's Church in Madras is his first assignment as the head pastor. The Madras church has one congregation, with masses conducted in both English and Spanish. It also operates a mission in Warm Springs. Fr. Luis Flores was amazed to find 16 churches in Madras, and said he believes in ecumenism and inter-religious dialogue. "I love my Catholic church, but have high respect for other churches and pastors and believe we can work together." Through inter-religious dialogue with Buddhist, Muslims and other non-Christians, people can still work on the common goals of peace and justice in the world, he believes. In Central Oregon Flores is enjoying rafting, hiking, skiing for the first time, and bicycling. His favorite sports are basketball and baseball, and he also enjoys reading, writing, and dancing to Mexican music. At St. Patrick's, his goals include praying and working with other churches, and helping the congregation become one community. "Sometimes we segregate by languages. We need to see ourselves all as children of God, not as Caucasians, Latinos or Native Americans." Fr. Luis Flores will continue the building expansion project begun by Okorobia to accommodate the growing congregation, and wants to make St. Patrick's a spiritual home where everyone can feel comfortable -- sinners or saints. "A place to begin our project of justice, peace and respect," Fr. Luis Manuel Flores-Alva Article in Madras Pioneer -- Susan Matheny -- December 16, 2009 |
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Pastor Luis M. Flores Alva |
