S T. ISIDOR E CAT H OL I C CHUR CH
FR. CORMAC LACRE RETURNS TO ST. ISIDORE Per s ev er i ng To w a r d s H e a ve n To ge th e r
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ometimes the wise sayings of loved ones remain with us for a lifetime, shaping the way we encounter the world around us. For our Associate Pastor, Fr. Cormac Lacre, there is a simple adage that his grandfather often repeated as they would walk an hour and a half to Mass, each weekend. “I remember my grandfather told me, ‘It’s okay walking slowly, but continually,’” says Fr. Cormac, translating from his native Filipino dialect. “I really liked that expression from my grandfather, and it helps me in my life now, as a priest. We cannot avoid
problems and trials, and that expression from my grandfather helps me to continue, to persevere. Just like when we were having a hard time walking — we go slowly, but continually. It reminds me all the time about perseverance.” Born and raised in the Philippines, young Cormac was greatly inspired by the devotion of his grandparents, walking to another town to attend Mass, and praying the Rosary every evening, with all of their grandchildren. He attended Catholic schools run by religious sisters, served as an altar server and lector, and by the end of high school, had decided that he wanted to attend seminary and discern the priesthood. “Once, during the homily, I said to myself, ‘I would like to become like [that priest],’” Fr. Cormac says. “I shared my experience with the sisters and they were so happy I was thinking about becoming a priest.” After nearly a decade of seminary formation in the Philippines, in 2000, Cormac was allowed to come to the U.S. to complete his education. At the encouragement of his aunt in Vallejo, he decided to take a leap of faith, leaving his family and community to serve the larger Church and the Diocese of Sacramento. “My family back home was sad, including the nuns and sisters from my high school,” Fr. Cormac says. “In fact, one of the sisters challenged me saying, ‘Why do you want to go to America? Why do you want to spend your ministry as a priest, as a young priest, energetic and dynamic, serving the American people? Why not your people in the Philippines?’ I wasn’t able to answer her at the time, but when I went home after my [first] year here, I answered, ‘Sister, I have a beautiful answer for your question. In America, I am not only serving our continued on page 8
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