Tell us about your first name, which is unique and so appropriate for our parish.
My given name is Leonardo but I was always called “Joy.” I didn’t like it when I was very young because I thought it was a girl’s name but, over time, I came to regard it as a wonderful name.

Where are you from and what was your path to priesthood?
I am from the island of Luzon in the Philippines. My family was Catholic but not especially religious other than going to Mass most Sundays. I am the first priest in my family. I attended the only parochial school in our city and was always curious about what kind of life priests have. One rainy day, when I was in kindergarten, my parents were late picking me up and I was very scared. My teacher, a nun, prayed with me until my father arrived. That was the first time I experienced the joy of prayer, which became the seed of my vocation. I came to the U.S. in 2003 and have been a priest for 40 years.

Where have you served prior to Our Lady of Joy?
I spent a few years at Holy Trinity Parish and St. Paul Parish in Phoenix, 12 years at St. Francis of Assisi in the small Arizona mining town of Bagdad, followed by St. Michael Parish in Gila Bend and, most recently, St. Rose in Anthem.

Which Bible character do you relate to the most? Mary, Our Blessed Mother, who has always been there for me and is always on my mind.

What is the biggest challenge and biggest joy of being a priest?
The first challenge was to learn the English language and adapt to cultural differences. I later had to interface with bilingual populations in Bagdad and Gila Bend and ministered to prisoners at an Arizona State Prison, which was certainly challenging and sometimes frightening.

My biggest joy is that I was able to became a priest. My father’s dream was that I would be a sailor because he was a stevedore. As the firstborn of 11 children, (7 girls, 4 boys), he wanted me to help out with our family. Eventually, he accepted my choice and cried tears of joy at my ordination. Today, eight of my siblings live in Australia, one in West Virginia, and one in the Philippines with plans to move to Germany.

My priestly aspiration is: Called to be free, free to be faithful, faithful for life.

Who is your favorite saint and why?
I have two: St. Thomas the Doubter because his Feast Day is July 3rd, the same as my birthday, and St. John Vianney, the Patron Saint of Diocesan Priests.

What do you like to do in your free time?
I love the outdoors. I enjoy camping and belong to a mountain biking group that rides on Saturday mornings.

What is your favorite food?
All Filipino food as long as nothing on the plate is still moving!

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