Pastor Assignments: Father Alfredo Valdez

Friday, Jul. 28, 2023

Father Alfredo Valdez was born and raised in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico. He attended the diocesan seminary of Ciudad Obregon, and was ordained a priest in 2002 by Monsignor Vicente Garcia Bernal, Bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Ciudad Obregon. He served in various ministries in that diocese for five years before his bishop sent him to the Diocese of Phoenix. He ministered in Arizona for 15 years. During that time he made several trips to Utah, where one of his seminary classmates, Fr. Martin Picos, is a pastor.  He applied to minister in the Diocese of Salt Lake City, and came here last year. His first assignment was as parochial vicar of the Cathedral of the Madeleine. Then he was temporarily assigned to San Felipe Parish in Wendover. On Aug. 2 he will begin his new assignment as administrator of San Andres Parish in Payson and San Isidro Mission in Elberta. 

I am a Mexican priest very devoted to Our Lady of Guadalupe; I have always liked her festive celebrations. I like to go on walks. Earlier this month I got to visit Payson and I like the city a lot; it’s small but cozy. People were very friendly and I saw how they like to participate in the Church.

I know it’s hard when you get a new priest, and more when you have had the same priest in your parish for a long time, but as they will be living a new experience so will I, and this is a great opportunity for all to get a new beginning. Life is made of moments, and I come there with lots of hope.

I remember my days in the seminary, one of my biggest challenges was the funeral Mass and the Confessions.  Now I know that comforting people and families in those painful and sad moments is a great part of a priest’s ministry because comforting them and letting them know that God is with them is a great satisfaction. In confessions people share their weaknesses and problems but get to discover that God is with them despite everything, and that his love and mercy is granted. It’s really beautiful.

As a priest I am always open to service; priesthood is for the community. I like to help people to have that encounter with our Lord and to get to discover his presence in their lives. To see how he manifests in their lives and how they respond by helping in their parish is a great experience.