Dear Friends of SJV,
Greetings to all of you. We are excited for the seminarians to begin using the new Monsignor Michael Glenn Recreation Center. We had a ribbon–cutting ceremony on January 23, and the men have had the opportunity to use it since.
This month, our newsletter was written by Fr. Rocco Porter who is the House Father, and Deacon Jeffrey Pooley who is the House Deacon at the Christ the King formation house. I hope that their articles will give you some insight into how our parish house model is instrumental in the formation process.
Thanks to each of you for your ongoing support. Please keep our men in priestly formation in your prayers.
In Christ,
Fr. Angel Perez–Lopez
A Shepherd’s Accompaniment with Seminarians
At Christ the King Parish in Denver, my primary focus is serving as the parish pastor and as a house father to seminarians, creating an environment where they grow in their vocations and experience the daily life of a priest.
Being a house father and a pastor challenges and fulfills me as I oversee the household while building a prayerful, supportive community. I strive to help seminarians integrate human, academic, spiritual, and pastoral growth, drawing on my experience to guide them daily.
My desire is for my leadership to transform the parish house into a place of discipleship, where structured prayer, shared meals, and meaningful dialogue foster mentorship and brotherhood. I find purpose in helping seminarians through discernment and formation milestones.
By modeling an authentic Christian community, I aim to show seminarians that the priesthood is a life centered on Christ, marked by hospitality, service, and joy. I hope and pray my pastoral example anchors the formation process.
As house father, I am grateful for the chance to form future priests, preparing them to enter their vocations with strong faith, character, and pastoral charity.
Father Rocco Porter
Formation Advisor
The Joys of Being a House Deacon
Being a house deacon is a little like being the glue that holds a formation house together. Except sometimes the glue is a lot of coffee, and sometimes its duct tape. My role is part older brother and crazy uncle, part logistics, and occasionally handy man. (I have had to fix the hot water before Holy Hour many times.)
I bring my personality into everything I do, which means I try to keep things light. Formation is serious business, but that doesn’t mean we can’t laugh along the way. Whether it’s cracking a joke at dinner or reminding everyone to do their house job. I aim to make the Christ the King feel like home. A home where joy and fraternity thrive. (One of our mottos is “Who has more fun than us?”)
Of course, there are the formal duties: assisting at liturgies, coordinating schedules, and making sure the house runs smoothly. But the real ministry happens in the small, human moments. Whether that’s sharing a story, laughing over an under cooked dinner, or talking through a deep theological insight a brother has come upon through his studies. Seminaries are beautiful places centered on the Lord, and you do that with brothers.
Being a house deacon is about service, but it’s also about presence. And if that presence comes with a smile and a sense of humor, all the better. After all, holiness and happiness aren’t opposed, they are one.
God Bless You!
Deacon Jeff Pooley
Seminarian, Diocese of Phoenix
