Called to Serve

Welcoming the newest priests of the Archdiocese

By Mary Powers

In his book “The Priest Is Not His Own,” Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen speaks of the life of a priest as being a continual sacrifice, mirroring the sacrifice of Christ on Calvary. He notes that when a priest lays down his life on the altar, he becomes a priest-victim, similar to that of Jesus. The continual sacrifice of self is not just at the Mass, but carries into each one of his responsibilities throughout the day.

“The continuing sacrifice of the priest is of the heart and mind in thanksgiving (Rom 15:16, Heb 13:15); the sacrifice of good deeds (Heb 13:16); the sacrifice of broken hearts and contrite spirits (Ps 50:17[21:17 RSV]); and the sacrifice of the whole man and the dedication of himself to God (1Pet 2:15; Rom 12:1; Phil 2:7).”

In speaking with the newest priests of the Archdiocese, the call to their vocation was clear and they have a deep desire to lay down their lives to serve the people of God—most especially sacramentally through the Mass.

Contemplative of St. Joseph Father Mikhael Mihic was ordained in January of 2025, and Fathers Leandro Calingasan and Emmanuel Gutierrez were to be ordained on Saturday June 7 at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption.

Father Mikhael Mihic, COSJ

Father Mikhael Mihic was born and raised in Croatia. It was here he received his initial call. In an interview with the Archdiocese several years ago, then Brother Mikhael explained an experience he had during Mass one day:

“It was the most profound and yet most mysterious thing that ever happened to me,” he said. “I felt the waters of everlasting life flowing out of my heart, and I said, ‘Lord, what do you want from me? What is going on?’ Some days later, this thought of the priesthood and Mass never stopped appearing in my head and in my heart. Since then, I’ve constantly focused my thoughts and prayers on the Eucharist.”

After arriving in the Archdiocese of San Francisco and inquiring with the Office of Vocations, Father Mikhael was sent to live with Father Vito Perrone, COSJ at Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church to further discern this vocation and finish college.

“The moment I came in,” said Father Mikhael, “I just felt like, ‘Wow, can I just stay here?’”

Father Mikhael then joined the Contemplatives of St. Joseph and for the last eight years has been in formation at the seminary and within the order. In September of 2024 he and COSJ founder, Father Perrone, made their final vows. A week later, Father Mikhael was ordained to the diaconate. Then in January of 2025, he was ordained a priest for the Contemplatives of St. Joseph and the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

“In all those three instances, I had to be on the floor at some point, giving my life to God,” said Father Mikhael. “I was prostrate on the floor all three times in a short period and I thought, ‘Wow, I’m giving my life over and over and over again to God.’ Like Our Lady, we have to cooperate with God’s grace and say, ‘Fiat, let it be.’ So that’s how all of us are called.”

Father Leandro Calingasan

Father Leandro Calingasan was born in Fairview, Quezon City in the Philippines. He entered the seminary at the age of 12, following in the footsteps of his uncle. He went to the diocesan minor seminary through junior high and high school, and then through college. After a year of participating in a two-year regency program, he moved to California and soon after was accepted into St. Patrick’s Seminary & University.

While he enjoyed the seminary atmosphere at the beginning, it wasn’t until his first year of college that he discerned his priestly vocation. Working in ministries with orphans and children on the street as well as other service activities with the seminarians, he realized he loved serving God’s people.

“Whenever I look back, I feel like it’s been a long journey, but at the same time, I can’t believe that I’m here already,” said Father Calingasan. “And I always think of it like, well, it might be a long journey, but it was very fruitful and very worth it.”

While his home parish is St. Augustine Catholic Church in South San Francisco, Father Calingasan spent his pastoral year at the Church of the Visitation and was assigned as a deacon at St. Matthew Catholic Church in San Mateo.

After 15 years in seminary formation, what is the one thing that Father Calingasan is looking forward to most as a priest? “Celebrating the Mass. That’s really what I really look forward to.”

Father Emmanuel Gutierrez

Father Emmanuel Gutierrez is a native of San Diego. He grew up near National City in a devout Catholic family. His parents were both active in their parish and family prayer was a regular part of their daily lives. His faith was formed by his family and parish growing up, since he went to public school. The sacraments played an integral part in his discernment. Special graces he received during his first Reconciliation and first holy Communion cemented his love and appreciation for the Church.

When Confirmation came in high school, he had a desire to really make the faith his own. Guided by his father, he took the questions he had to prayer, studying Scripture and the truths of the faith.

“I would read Scripture every night,” said Father Gutierrez. “I would do a little more investigating and I would pray. I did that about a year. And then before I knew it, my spiritual life was very strong. I had a powerful relationship with Christ at that time. And as I was thinking ahead of what I could become in the future, eventually in those prayers, what kept coming up, was the priesthood.”

This scared him and he tried to forget about it. He threw himself into his career. Then, at 28 he knew he couldn’t run from God’s call any longer, so he called the vocations director and discerned for a year. He joined the seminary in San Diego at the age of 29 and then God led him to the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

Father Gutierrez spent his pastoral year at St. Mark Catholic Church in Belmont and was assigned as a deacon at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco.

“I’m most looking forward to celebrating the Mass,” said Father Gutierrez. “And being able to celebrate the sacraments. For me in my life, the sacraments have been a powerful means of grace and help. And so just to be able to confer the grace to others and to administer the sacraments. It’s quite an honor and very humbling.”

Advice to those discerning the Priesthood

When asked what advice the three new priests would give to those who are discerning this vocation, each gave the same answer—prayer.

“Number one, pray,” said Father Mikhael. “Jesus himself prayed to the Father before any big decision. But then don’t just talk and ask God, but listen. Prayer goes both ways, it’s a two-way street, right? So pray and then listen attentively. Be attuned to the Holy Spirit. Try to be detached from the world as much as possible so that God can truly speak from within. Secondly, find a good spiritual director. That’s always important.”

“Sometimes God will just put something in front of you, you don’t know what to do,” said Father Calingasan. “Prayer will help you to look at things in His eyes. And even though it may be hard to accept it, with prayer, you’ll realize, well, I guess it’s what God wants for me.”

“Certainly it’s a process, but I think, I’d have to re-echo the importance of prayer and allowing yourself to be able to see things with God’s providence always in sight—that he’s never aloof or never far from us,” said Father Gutierrez. “Everything is either willed by Him directly or permitted, and it’s always for an intended good. There are goods that we want, that we desire, the good of marriage, the good of a career. Those things are natural goods that I think nobody would deny their goodness. But then there are those things that are supernatural goods that contribute to the kingdom, and that’s the role of the priest.”

Mary Powers is the assistant director of communications and media relations for the Archdiocese of San Francisco.