Pastor Assignments: Father Omar Ontiveros

Friday, Jul. 28, 2023

Father Omar Ontiveros was born and raised in Obregón, Sonora, Mexico. He went on to attend the Sonora Institute of Technology in Obregón prior to entering the seminary in that city, where he studied philosophy. In 2003 he entered Mt. Angel Seminary in Oregon and graduated with a Master of Divinity. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Salt Lake City on May 18, 2006 by the Most Rev. George H. Niederauer, eighth Bishop of Salt Lake City. His first assignment was as parochial vicar of the Cathedral of the Madeleine. He also has ministered at the parishes of Sts. Peter and Paul in West Valley City, St. Joseph in Ogden and most recently as pastor of St. Ann Parish in Salt Lake City. In addition, he served two years on the diocesan Music Committee, and was chaplain for the diocesan young Hispanic group. He also for many years offered a broadcast ministry in Spanish in both radio and television. On Aug. 2 he will begin his new assignment as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Orem.

I was born in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico. My parents are originally from Jalisco, the land of mariachi and tequila. We are four siblings: two brothers, one sister and me. I love Italian, Chinese and Sonora-style “carne asada y dogos” food. Some of my hobbies are going for a run, watching movies and skiing during the winter “in the greatest snow on earth,” although I’m still at the beginner level.

Each new assignment is exciting because you meet new people and learn from others, and each community as a group has special characteristics, even though we all are Catholics in the same diocese. I am looking forward to meeting the parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi, getting to know them and being able to share our Catholic faith to walk and grow together in our love toward God and neighbor.

I think one of the biggest challenges as a pastor is that of balancing my pastoral duties with the administrative and organizational aspects of leading a parish. All of these responsibilities can be demanding and require effective time management and leadership skills. But with God’s help, the support we get from our diocese and the support of God’s people, these challenges can be overcome.

The support I have received from Bishop John C. Wester (now Archbishop of Santa Fe) and Bishop Oscar A. Solis throughout my priestly ministry, the support and friendship of various priest friends as well as the support of most of the people I have met in the parishes I have served.