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Meet our Seminarians > Armando Gutierrez

 

Armando Gutierrez

Armando Gutierrez

Pastoral Year

 

Home Parish:

St. Charles Borromeo

San Francisco

 

 

 

My Story:

I was born and raised in El Salvador, Central America. My parents and two siblings live there. My older sister just gave birth to her fourth baby on my birthday, August 27. My younger brother is in the last year of college. I studied K-12 at a public school that the German Government established in San Salvador, the capital. I came to the U.S. 11 years ago to continue college. First, I arrived in Georgia, where I was delighted with their hospitality. Then, I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial and Labor Relations in Ithaca, NY. I loved playing with snow and sliding down the hills. In my last semester of college, 9/11 happened. Thus, I came to San Francisco 7 years ago looking for a job. I was fortunate that a Nicaraguan family hosted me and immediately invited me to a 3-day retreat with the Cursillo Movement. There, I had a wonderful encounter with Jesus. He lifted me up and encouraged me to live the Christian life in the midst of any difficulties. For about 2 1/2 years I worked with Cursillo. Also, for about 2 1/2 years, I worked in the City of San Francisco with Caritas Management, in the affordable housing industry. So, I had a job; I loved being involved in the Church; and I had a girlfriend. Then, I planned the following: get married, become a permanent deacon to serve the Church, and have a job that would be enough help for my family. Yet, I realized I was making my own plans and asking God for His help, as if He were my administrative assistant. I was not treating God as God. Thus, I wanted to find out what God had in mind for me. In January 2005, I went to St. Patrick’s Seminary, to a retreat St. Patrick’s offers every year to men who want to find out if they have a vocation to the priesthood. In that retreat, I found out that my next step was to apply to the seminary. I have been 4 years at the seminary and they all have been worth it. I have 2 1/2 more years to go, after which I hope to serve the Archdiocese of San Francisco as a priest. I am 32 years old. Let us pray for one another.