Lucio Choi and Mark McGuckin become priests on eve of Pentecost
By Agnieszka Krawczynski
Priests in fiery red vestments, and hundreds of the faithful, gathered in Holy Rosary Cathedral for a big celebration on the eve of Pentecost Sunday.
Lucio Choi and Mark McGuckin dedicated their lives to serving the Church as they were ordained priests May 14.
“Over the course of many years, and at the depth of their consciences, they have heard the call to follow Our Lord as a priest,” said Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB.
The cathedral had standing room only as the two young men lay prostrate on the floor, were anointed with chrism oil, and were dressed in priestly vestments.
Archbishop Miller urged them to pledge their love to Christ as St. Peter did when Jesus asked him three times if he loved.
“It’s clear that Peter can guide Jesus’s sheep only if he loves the Lord passionately. Likewise, the priest can only assume ministerial responsibility in the Church if he loves Christ and is His friend.”
Father Choi, a member of St. Andrew Kim Parish, was filled with excitement during the ceremony.
“I have to say everything felt right. I wasn’t too nervous. I wasn’t worried.”
Father Choi, born in Korea, admired the assistant pastor of his parish for years, and pleaded with God to make him a priest. Years after moving to Canada with his family in 1999, this dream began coming true.
“That particular assistant priest was a signpost in my life,” Father Choi said.
“Everyone in this diocese: priests, the archbishop, my friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ, they were truly signposts in my journey to the priesthood,” he said.
“Now I think it’s my turn, in a way, to be a signpost in other people’s lives.”
Father Choi is thrilled to start his first assignment under Father Donald Larson at All Saints Parish in Coquitlam this July.
He once spent a summer serving St. Joseph’s Parish in Langley under the direction of Father Larson. He remembered walking into the church and thinking, “If I don’t enjoy this parish experience, I don’t know if I want to become a parish or diocesan priest.”
By the end, “I received so much love from the parishioners and a beautiful, holy example from Father Don. It truly inspired me.”
As he takes on his priestly duties, Father Choi is especially looking forward to getting involved in youth ministry and reaching out to All Saints Elementary School.
His brother, Fabian Choi, was overwhelmed as he watched his older brother receive sacred orders in the packed cathedral. “I’m very excited, happy. It’s an emotional day.”
Fabian saw the first hints of a vocation years ago, when his brother was an altar boy. “We knew, my parents and I; we knew long before that he had this kind of dedication and devotion to the Church.”
Family members and friends of Father McGuckin travelled from as far as Calgary and Kelowna to watch him become a Catholic priest.
“We’re happy for Mark because he is so happy. He is just beaming,” said cousin Pam Paterson.
“How do I feel? I’m overwhelmed,” said his father, Brian McGuckin. “Words can’t express: it’s magnificent; it’s the crowning jewel.”
There are two birthdays in the family May 14, and now with a priestly ordination, the day has become even more remarkable, he added.
“This is a moment in the life of our family that’s a special grace, and only grace can explain what is happening here today.”
Father McGuckin began his journey to the priesthood in adulthood, after realizing his career in the film industry didn’t satisfy.
“For those young men discerning the call to the priesthood, my number one piece of advice would be to start focusing on that interior life. Find places of solitude and speak formal prayers, but also informally with the Blessed Trinity and Blessed Mother and deepen those relationships,” he said.
Father McGuckin’s first assignment is St. Paul’s Parish in Richmond. He recently spent over three hours with the pastor, Msgr. Dennis Luterbach, to get to know him and the needs of the parish.
“I’m really looking forward to learning from him and being immersed in that blooming community. It’s a huge parish and a little daunting, but it’s exciting,” he said.
He is “ready to get into everything,” including marriage preparation, youth ministry, house visits, RCIA, PREP, and funerals.
“The adventure begins in a new way, and there will be so many unexpected things,” said the cheerful Father McGuckin.
“It’s exciting not really knowing and just giving it to Our Lord and saying, ‘Whatever You will.’ There will be challenges and sufferings along the way, but also a lot of joy and connection and being around people I’ve never known and receiving their friendship.”
