Father Omar Ontiveros will lead St. Joseph Parish

Friday, Apr. 08, 2016

(Editor’s note: This is one in a series of profiles of the priests who have been given new assignments as parish administrators in the Diocese of Salt Lake City. Appointments that might have been made as “pastor” were made as “administrator” in accordance with canon law when a diocese is without a bishop.)

WEST VALLEY CITY — Father Omar Ontiveros is anticipating starting a new journey at St. Joseph Parish in Ogden, where he will become the administrator on Aug. 1. 

When the transfer takes place, he will have been pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Parish in West Valley City for six years. 

“Fr. Omar is a very talented and popular priest and pastor,” said Monsignor Colin F. Bircumshaw, diocesan administrator. “He is well suited to the challenges and demands of being the pastor of ‘The Cathedral of the North.’ Just as the people of Sts. Peter and Paul will miss him, the people of St. Joseph’s will quickly come to treasure his person and ministry.” 

Fr. Ontiveros feels “a little nervous and anxious” as he looks forward to moving to Ogden and to a new parish, but “I am putting my trust in God that he will help me and also that I will be able to help the people walk in this new journey and they will help me,” he said. “I’ve been reading a book the diocese provided me and I found a quote that has helped me understand my feelings: ‘A pastor transitioning to a new parish is like getting a divorce that you don’t want, marrying a bride you’ve never met, moving to a new town and getting a new job all at the same time.’”

Fr. Ontiveros has had a good experience at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, but the move is creating many emotions for him, he said. The people are “very generous and I am grateful to God for them and for their patience and compassion with my weaknesses,” he said. “I am leaving parishioners I know, some more than others. In a sense, it feels like I am ending a relationship and going to a new place where I don’t know the people and they don’t know me.  It will be a challenge, but I hope to continue ministering in the best way possible and I hope that the people will be open and that we can work together.”

Father Ontiveros will celebrate the 10th anniversary of his ordination on May 18. He was ordained in 2006 by the Most Rev. George H. Niederauer, Archbishop emeritus of San Francisco because the Diocese of Salt Lake City was without a bishop that year. It also was the first time since at least 1940 that four men were ordained to the priesthood in the diocese at the same time. Fr. Ontiveros was ordained with Fathers John J. Schwall, Óscar Martin Picos Rentería and Óscar Alfredo Martinez Tobón. 

“When I was in the seminary, they taught me a lot of theory and we didn’t hear much about the practical stuff, which is part of being a priest,” said Fr. Ontiveros. “I remember a priest telling me that I would remember about 10 percent of what I studied but the most important thing is to learn from the people and with the people, and that has been my experience as a priest. The past 10 years have happened so fast.” 

Fr. Ontiveros’ first assignment after ordination was as parochial vicar at the Cathedral of the Madeleine. 

“That seems like it was yesterday,” he said. “I have gratitude in my heart for that assignment because in spite of my failures as a priest and as a human being, God still loves me and people have been very patient with me.”

At the cathedral, Fr. Ontiveros began a radio ministry, broadcasting five-minute radio segments. The following year he added two hours each week, and has built that into an evening radio program from Monday through Friday on 102.3FM, which is repeated at 3 p.m. on 1600AM. 

“Thanks to support of the diocese, there is also a family-oriented, Catholic program broadcast live from Mexico at 11 a.m. on 1600AM,” he said.

The Spanish Mass from Sts. Peter and Paul Parish is broadcast live at 1:30 p.m. on 102.3FM.

“We’ve heard positive feedback, especially from the elderly, homebound and those who are not able to attend Mass because they work,” Fr. Ontiveros said.