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Priest traveled world to reach Diocese Years ago, when Rev. Jun Segura, CICM, came to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic as part of a mission appeal sponsored by the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, he had no idea that he would return to the Albany Diocese to stay. In 2003, Father Segura was sent to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish in Schenectady, where he met Rev. Robert Hohenstein, pastor. After his mission appeal was complete, Father Segura returned to the Dominican Republic, never thinking he would see Schenectady again. Surgeries Then something drastic happened. The Filipino-born priest had to return to the U.S. for surgery in Virginia to repair damage done by surgeons in the Dominican Republic that had left him disabled and in pain. Six surgeries later, Father Segura has been advised by his physician to remain in the U.S. during his lengthy recovery. He applied to the Diocese of Albany to work in ministry and now ministers at two places: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish in Schenectady and at St. Joseph's/St. Michael's/Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Amsterdam, where he is the coordinator of a Spanish apostolate. Hispanic ministry As coordinator, he celebrates a Spanish-language liturgy every other Sunday, leads a Bible study workshop once a month, visits the sick and homebound, and assists in preparation of the sacraments. He sees his work as part of his missionary call, saying: "I am still meeting the people, and they are getting to know me. "I see that there is a lot of work to do. It seems that it has been a very long time since Hispanic Catholics have had the availability of a Spanish-speaking priest. They are happy I'm here." Goals Father Segura has some short-term goals. "I hope to meet every Spanish-speaking person in these parishes and get to know each person on a one-to-one basis," he said. "Making personal contact is vital to the success of this ministry." He also wants to be available for homebound, nursing home and hospitalized Spanish-speaking parishioners in both Amsterdam and Schenectady in order to provide visitation, spiritual counseling and the sacraments. "I hope to increase communication," he noted. "If there is no one available for them to confide in or talk to, then their feelings become a burden that they carry alone. Part of my mission as a pastoral care minister to these parishioners is to be available for them during such times of need." Missionary Father Segura said his decision to become a missionary was the direct result of his work organizing a farming community in his homeland years ago. "People were victimized; I saw a lot of injustice," he said. "Because they were poor, they really had no one to speak for them. I realized then that I was called to help the poor, to preach the Good News that has not yet been heard." (Before he entered the seminary, Father Segura worked in private industry and for the Filipino government. He also managed a radio station. He speaks Tagalog, his native tongue; Spanish; and English. For more about his religious order, visit www.missionhurst.org.) (03/06/08) |