Front (l-r) Frs. Antonio Barrientos, Francisco Valadez, Guillermo Castillo, Back (l-r) Frs. Phil Paxton, Bob Crossmyer, Don Webber and Jim Strommer
Forming New Relationships in the Hispanic Community
The Passionist Community in Birmingham, Alabama recently requested that an initiative for Hispanic Ministry be formed to meet the growing needs of the Hispanic community in the diocese. Recently, In addition to their local parish duties, Passionist Fathers Bob Crossmyer, Alex Steinmiller, and Philip Paxton have been assisting at St. Joseph’s Parish by celebrating one English and one Spanish Mass on Sundays. St. Joseph’s is located near both Holy Family Parish and St. Mary’s Parish which the Passionists currently staff.
It was agreed, however, that the needs of the local Hispanic community and St. Joseph’s could better be served by having a native Spanish-speaking priest assigned to the area. A formal request was made to the Passionist Cristo Rey Province in Mexico, and Fr. Guillermo Castillo, CP, was appointed administrator of St. Joseph Parish. His primary responsibility is ministry to both the Hispanic population and Anglo community with Sunday Mass, funerals and hospital visits. A request has been made for an additional Spanish-speaking priest to help with preaching and catechetical work within the diocese.
Fr. Guillermo loves to preach, do missions and retreats, and conduct Scripture studies. He professed his vows in 1967 and was ordained a priest in 1974. Once all plans have been finalized, he will live at St. Joseph’s rectory.
A warm welcome is extended to Fr. Guillermo!
