Father Ubaldo: "El Padre"

The first time we met Father Ubaldo, he was leading the Spanish-language First Communion Service. The interview was conducted a week and a half later, while Father Ubaldo was recovering from Tonsilitis.

The interview happened on a weekday at the home of a parishioner. A large man, with gentle eyes and a soft voice, he laid on a loveseat couch with his legs covered by what seemed to be a child's blanket. Though Father Ubaldo speaks and understands English, he preferred to be interviewed in Spanish.

Originally from Mexico City, Father Ubaldo was ordained at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in the diocese of Winona on June 28^th, 2008. From there, he was sent to the Sacred Heart Parish of Owatonna for three months. After those three months, he returned to Winona, then left for Mexico for three years. Upon his return, he was sent to another church in Austin. Now, he has come back to the Sacred Heart Parish of Owatonna (since August of 2015) to assist Father John in celebrating the Spanish Mass as well as to spiritually help the Hispanic community. Since his arrival back in Owatonna, he has assisted the Hispanic community with Evangelism classes, leading retreats, organizing events, and providing pastoral care.

As a newly arrived priest, he has worked hand in hand with Father John in order to continue serving the Hispanic community to the best of the Parish's ability. Considering how small the community is, there are many things, according to Padre Ubaldo, that still need to be worked on. Because Father John is the main parish priest, most of the things that are done are things that he needs to approve of. As Padre Ubaldo states, "We are very thankful to him because everything that happens, is approved by him, for example when we have celebrations, he lets us include traditional Hispanic plates and such. He has worked well with trying to keep the community strong.”

Because of his tonsil surgery, he was unable to be at the last service I attended. Thankfully, when I conducted the interview, he was feeling a lot better and was finally able to talk. One of the most important things I observed while the First Communion ceremony was happening were the things he said to the children. Not only did he speak to the kids but also asked for the parents and the godparents about how the kids should continue to grow up with an understanding of what it means to be a good Catholic. Ubaldo understands the struggles that Hispanic parents face as they raise their kids in the United States rather than raising them in Mexico. As we continued talking, he told me about a mother who talked to him one day about her daughter. The following is some of what he recalls from the conversation:

"I remember she told me, 'Father, my daughter is about to turn fifteen and we want her service to be in Spanish,' and I told her, that that was great and I would be happy to hold her service for her. But then she said she wanted me to tell her a couple of words in English. I can barely speak English because it is not my first language. I asked her 'Does your daughter not know Spanish?' and this is where I got upset because she told me, 'No. My daughter is American.' How can she not know her roots?"

Padre Ubaldo believes strongly that the Hispanic community is a strong one, and also that it is essential for them to continue practicing their faith in Spanish. Since he has been in Owatonna, he has noticed a great change in the number of people who have continued to come to Spanish services. He says: "people have come closer to God, and there is so much more help in between them. The community is small, but because they are there for each other, it is so much stronger." He also strongly believes in keeping the traditions alive with the new generations. It is something even more important and essential now because they are in another country. He explains: "We need to practice our faith with our language. It is much stronger like this. Americanization is something that I understand, but it is also something that will eliminate traditions. Who will keep those alive if we do not teach our kids?"