Fr. Omar Guanchez

Pastor

Email:  Click Here to Email

Phone:  218-346-4240

Emergency:  218-298-0585

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My name is Father Omar Guanchez, and I was born in Maracay, Venezuela. I was a member of San Bartolomé Parish in the 1990’s and my pastor at the time was Father Richard Walz, a missionary priest from the Diocese of St. Cloud. He was a servant of God, and God called me to the priesthood through the good example of Father Richard. He invited me to come to the United States in the year 2000, and after all the paperwork and legal steps, I got a student visa. 

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After I arrived in Minnesota in the summer of 2001, I attended Minnesota State Community College in Fergus Falls, and I eventually studied at St. Cloud State University as well. After much prayer and discernment, I felt the call to be a priest for the Diocese of St. Cloud. After I was accepted as a seminarian, I was sent to the Saint Paul Seminary. In 2009, by the grace of God, Bishop John Kinney ordained me a priest of Jesus Christ at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St Cloud. Since my ordination to the priesthood, I have served in the parishes of Elk River, Melrose, Greenwald, Meire Grove, Spring Hill, and Long Prairie.

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When I was a transitional deacon, back in 2008, the vocation director assigned me to the parishes of Perham and Butler. Those 10 weeks were very good and I left with a desire to come back someday as a priest. That time has arrived: thanks be to God!

I will tell you briefly about my family: Both of my parents are still living in Venezuela. I am the oldest of four, and my only brother and two sisters currently live in Minnesota. I have two nieces and one nephew. The Central Minnesota Catholic Magazine recently wrote a story about my family; and I hope you had a chance to read it. They are thankful to God for the opportunity to be here and to be part of our Diocese; and I am thankful to God, too, for such a blessing. 

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I pray to God that my time in the Northern Cross Area Catholic Community may be a time of much spiritual growth for many. My most appreciated values as a priest are respect, collaboration, and humility, along with perseverance. In other words, I like people who are respectful, willing to help others, humble, and who persevere in their commitment to the Lord. To me, the pursuit of holiness is absolutely essential and my relationship with the Lord Jesus is central to my life. I look forward to walking along with you in the ways of God, and working together for His Church.