Extension magazine - Summer 2023

38 INSPIRE
Feature
Extension | Summer 2023 39
the margins of the community:
the immigrants and those seeking
asylum or refuge here in the
country. That is something that I
believe in and that I hope to help
him in—that advocacy to promote
a better life for those who are
seeking it.”
Although Bishop Celino
admires Bishop Seitz and worked
closely with him, actually becoming
a bishop himself was the furthest
thing from his mind.
“When the apostolic nuncio
called me, I actually ignored the
call. There were four missed calls
on my cell phone. Eventually, of
course, the nuncio was able to get
ahold of me,” Bishop Celino said.
“I never felt more trust in God
than I have at this moment in my
life. I have a sense that the Spirit
of God is at work in all of this. The
Holy Spirit is at work in my life at
this time.”
A BISHOP WITH OPTIMISM
Bishop Celino expressed optimism
about the future of the
Church in El Paso. Just as the faithful
formed him as a priest, it’s the
faithful of El Paso who give him
hope as a new bishop.
“I think the people in this
diocese are what makes this place
special, most of all. It’s a very
welcoming community, diverse
and dynamic in so many ways, but
very welcoming. El Paso is a large
city with that small-town feel. It’s
a thriving community where, once
again, we’re building churches on
the east side and on the west side
of the city,” he said.
“Being in the borderland is
a wonderful thing,” he added.
“There’s so much opportunity for
ministries here.”
Bishop Celino feels abundantly
blessed not only to be in El Paso
but also to have been called to
serve as auxiliary bishop where
he will minister alongside Bishop
Seitz as a shepherd to all.
“I feel a great sense of gratitude,
not only to God but also to the
Holy Father for Bishop Seitz and
the people of God here in El Paso,
for his confidence for appointing
me as auxiliary bishop. I’m
really looking forward to visiting
parishes once again and being a
pastor for the whole diocese.
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An illustration
of the Native
American Christ
with children
is displayed
at a church in
the Diocese of
Rapid City, South
Dakota. See a
letter from the
Sioux Spiritual
Center, page 42.
AGE
60 65 70 75 80 85 90+
ILLUSTRATION © FATHER JOHN GIULIANI/JBGICON.COM