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Fr. Randy Gonzales,CICM
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My name is Fr. Randy Gonzales, CICM. Please call me Fr. Randy. I belong to the missionary-religious order known as the Congregatio Immaculati Cordis Mariae (CICM) or the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In the United States, we are known as Missionhurst-CICM.
I was born in Rizal, Kalinga, Philippines on November 21, 1974 to Antonio Gonzales and Lydia Valdez. I have two brothers, Richard and Lito. Both are married and each has a son. I entered the CICM pre-novitiate program in 1992 right after high school. After graduating from St. Louis University in Baguio City/Maryhurst Seminary (Philosophy), I proceeded to Taytay, Rizal for the Novitiate program from May 1996-May 1997. I pronounced my first vows of chastity, obedience, and poverty on May 16, 1997. I then proceeded to Quezon City to join the post-novitiate program (Theology program) at CICM International Formation Community (CIFC). I arrived in the United States on September 10, 2001. I was ordained to the priesthood on July 29, 2004. From 2004 to 2007, I was a parochial vicar at Sacred Heart Church in Mercedes, TX. In September 2007, I was moved to Arlington, VA where I served as Assistant Director and subsequently became Director of Development until December 2018. After 12 years of working in administration, the CICM US Province granted me a semester of sabbatical in Berkeley, CA. On December 15, 2019, I was appointed as the new pastor of Transfiguration of Jesus and Santa Clara Mission. I am eager to get acquainted with members of the parish and the lay of the land here in Wallace. If you don’t see me in the office, at church, or attending to the spiritual life of the parishioners, I am busy taking care of my physical well-being by doing CrossFit before many of you are even awake, biking, mountain hiking, and cooking. Since I am almost near a body of water it might be time to reconnect myself to standing paddle boarding during my day off!! Y’all have my number and email in the bulletin, so don’t be shy and feel free to call, text, or email me and see what’s in store for us!!!! I’m looking forward to meeting each of you!! |
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Deacon Mike Vandiver |
After a five year period of discernment and intensive theological studies, Rev. Deacon Michael Vandiver was ordained Permanent Deacon of the Catholic Church on June 28, 2014, by Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Raleigh.
Deacon Mike, as he prefers to be called, began serving Transfiguration of Jesus Catholic Church following the retirement of Rev. Deacon Robert Price. Deacon Mike is also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 12921 and a past Grand Knight. He is involved with many parish and community activities, one of which is the annual Bill Lord Memorial Golf Tournament which for the last three years has raised over $5,000 annually to benefit children with special needs in Duplin County schools. He also leads the parish’s participation in the prison ministry which serves those who are incarcerated in both Duplin and Pender County. Like many, Deacon Mike felt a calling to serve the Church and looks forward to share his energy and love for Christ to serve his parish and community. Deacon Mike retired to the Wallace area after a 30 year career with the Gillette Company. He and his wife have three children and nine grandchildren, all of whom attended his ordination ceremony. |
