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Filipino-American ordained to the Sacred Priesthood at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick

May 19, 2008

New York, NY – May 14, 2008 - With the St. Patrick’s Cathedral filled to capacity and
with a wonderful spirit of jubilation, His Eminence, Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop of New
York, ordained nine men to priesthood at St. Patrick’s Cathedral last May 10, 2008. One of the
men is Ronald P. Perez, a Filipino-American originally from Manila and Batangas. Prior to his
Ordination, the Rev. Fr. Perez was the Deacon of the Word at the Papal Mass last April 20, 2008
at Yankee Stadium.
In April 15, 2008, David Gonzalez of the New York Times interviewed Rev. Fr. Ronald
Perez as follows:
“At 39, Ronald Perez is the oldest candidate for ordination next month. A former
paralegal at a Midtown law firm, he moved to New York from Los Angeles 10 years ago to
change his life. By the time he decided to become a priest, he had worked at a failed
manufacturing company and a dot-com that missed the boom.
His decision to become a priest was gradual, he said, coming after years of involvement
in activities at his home parish, St. Patrick’s Cathedral. He credited the talks he had with visiting
seminarians for nudging him closer to the religious life. Like many other contemporary
candidates for the seminary, he started studying philosophy with other prospective priests.
“The door was open, so if it was for you, go on, but if not, leave, no questions asked,” he
said. “That first year was crucial. It gave me a chance to look back at my life and the world
around me. Nothing I could have done as an engineer or a paralegal would give me contentment
and happiness. Something was missing. I realized what it was: becoming a priest.”
After the Ordination Mass, both family members and the public assembled at the Lady
Chapel to receive the Blessings.
Rev. Fr. Perez celebrated his first Mass as the Main Celebrant the following day also at
the Cathedral. The Most Rev. Gerald T. Walsh, DD and Rector of St. Joseph’s Seminary was the
Homilist. After the first Mass some 200 people attended a light reception at the Cathedral of
Saint Patrick Terrace.

This Press Release/Message/Article is posted for public information purposes. The Manila Mail is not in anyway connected or affiliated to the person, company or entity that submitted this press release. For more information on this article, please refer to the contact information provided in the posting.

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