Fr. Montoro assigned to central Utah

Friday, May. 27, 2016

SALT LAKE CITY — Father Roberto H. Montoro Sasia has been appointed as the new administrator of Saint Bridget Catholic Church, Milford, Saint John Bosco Mission, Delta and Holy Family Mission, Fillmore, effective Aug. 1.

In 2011, Fr. Montoro arrived in Utah from Tehuacán, Puebla, Mexico, his hometown.

In addition to his current assignment as parochial vicar of the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City, he has served in the parishes of Saints Peter and Paul in West Valley City, Saint Francis Xavier in Kearns, San Felipe in Wendover and Saint Mary of the Assumption in Park City. 

Fr. Montoro recalled that he heard the call to the priesthood when he was very young, but rather than enter the seminary after high school, he attended college and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration before entering the Misioneros del Espiritu Santo Seminary to study philosophy. 

Fr. Montoro also worked in what is known as the Integral System of the New Evangelization in Mexico.

Ordained on June 15, 2001 at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City by Cardinal Norberto Rivera, Fr. Montoro served for 10 years in Mexico City.

Since his arrival in Utah in September of 2011, Fr. Montoro has been serving the community with an open heart, patience and commitment.

This new assignment was unexpected but received with a lot of joy, he said.

“When I was notified, it was a very beautiful moment. I am very grateful to God and to the Virgin for all the blessings,” said Fr. Montoro, remembering that during his recent trip to Mexico to see and concelebrate Mass with Pope Francis at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the words of the Virgin, “Go out and build more houses,” struck him.

“What a coincidence it is that now I will be going and trying to do exactly that. … On that occasion the Virgin said, ‘I want you with my children,’ and this [assignment] is a call from love of God,” said Fr. Montoro, who had been making new plans to work with the community at the cathedral, which he said feels like home.

“I want to let know Fr. Martin [Diaz, pastor of the Cathedral of the Madeleine], that I admire and respect him a lot. … The relationship with all the staff and all the parishioners was wonderful; they welcomed me with open arms,” said Fr. Montoro. He asked that they welcome the new priest the same way: “with all the love and the hard work that they do.”

For his new community in central Utah, Fr. Montoro wants them to know that he is looking forward to getting to know them and for them to get to know him so that “we walk together with God and holding Mary’s hand.  Pray for me so I can keep being your faithful servant.”

“He is a very mature and responsible priest and caring in his ministry,” said Monsignor Colin F. Bircumshaw, diocesan administrator.

“Fr. Montoro has learned little by little about the American culture,” said Fr. Javier Virgen, the diocesan Vicar for Hispanic Ministries. “He is a very responsible priest who loves to work with the community. I hope that this new experience will be good for him, and I know that he will be doing this new assignment with lots of joy and enthusiasm.”