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Fr. Dismas Sayre, OP
I was born in 1968 in Puerto Rico, but grew up in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania., the middle of five kids. After a brief stint in the Navy, I
attended the University of Utah.
At the "U," I met my first Dominicans. Little did I know
at that time that this would eventually lead me to change from one black and
white uniform to another. I was baptized Catholic, but had never gone to a
Mass, save for one in Boot Camp (the option was go to church, or work. Many
of us "found" religion that way). After I began college, with God's helping
nudge and occasional swift kicks, I entered the Catholic Church, and I was
confirmed at the Dominican Newman Center in Salt Lake City in 1990. A few
years later, I felt the tug to religious life, but wasn't able to take
advantage until 2000, when I finally entered the novitiate in Oakland,
California.
Every student brother has a "year away," where we study
in another province to learn more about the rest of the Dominican order. For
me, this was a few years ago, and I chose to go to our house of studies in
Lima, Peru, partly from my interest in the country, and partly to get my
Spanish back up to speed. Lima has the added beauty of being the home of
three great Dominican saints, Rose of Lima, Martin de Porres, and Juan
Macias, whose relics are displayed at our church near the historical center
of Lima. I also had the blessing to work a mission during the Triduum at a
remote mountain village and see some of the countryside and other cities.
After my year in Peru, I did my year of residency at our
Newman Center in Eugene, Oregon. There, I worked with the priests and staff
of the Newman Center for some on-the-job schooling, learning what ministry
was really like from the inside, and from all the faithful parishioners who
made it such a joy to serve. I think just about every Dominican student
describes this as his favorite year of studies, and I was no different!
I then returned to finish my studies in California, and
was ordained a priest on May 31st, 2008, the Feast of the Visitation. I am
one of the parochial vicars at our extremely busy parish in Antioch,
California, living the Dominican life and enjoying it! I help out with
LifeTeen, Spanish Masses and confessions, and where ever else needed.
In my free time I like to
read, watch movies (a fan of "Mystery Science Theater 3000"), and go walking
or hiking.
Last updated:
September 19, 2008
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