Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, STD


Most Rev. José H. Gomez, S.T.D., was installed Archbishop of San Antonio on February 15, 2005, at San Fernando Cathedral. Archbishop Gomez had served as Auxiliary Bishop of Denver, Moderator of the Curia, Vicar General and Pastor of Mother of God Church since 2001. Archbishop Gomez was born on December 26, 1951, in Monterrey, Mexico, the son of Dr. José H. Gomez and Esperanza Velasco, both deceased. He has three older sisters and one younger sister. Archbishop Gomez’s mother was raised and educated in San Antonio in the 1920s. Archbishop Gomez was ordained a priest of the Opus Dei Prelature on August 15, 1978, by late Cardinal Franz Konig, Archbishop Emeritus of Vienna, at the Shrine of Torrecuidad, Spain. Archbishop Gomez originally formed in a business background holds a doctorate in Sacred Theology. He earned his accounting degree in 1975 as well as a B.A. in Philosophy. In 1978, the year he was ordained a priest, Archbishop Gomez completed a B.A. in Theology at the University of Navarre, Rome Campus, and began working on a doctorate in theology at its Main Campus in Pamplona, Spain. He received his doctorate in 1980. Before being appointed a bishop, Archbishop Gomez’s primary priestly duty was to ministry to lay people. From 1987 to 1999 he was in residence at Our Lady of Grace in San Antonio assisting in the pastoral work of the parish. During this timeframe Archbishop Gomez also helped in the Diocese of Galveston-Houston in Katy, Texas. Archbishop Gomez has distinguished himself as a respected national leader among Hispanic priests in the Unites States. In 1991, Archbishop Gomez became a regional representative of the National Association of Hispanic Priests, followed by president in 1995 and then executive director from 1999-2001. ANSH is an organization which seeks to strengthen fraternity among the 2,400 Hispanic priests in the United States and to communicate the faith effectively among diverse Hispanic congregations. In 2003 Archbishop Gomez earned the annual National Association of Hispanic Priests Award, “El Buen Pastor.” This award honors a priest who is outstanding in the field of Hispanic Ministry (evangelization, research, pastoral ministry, education, communications, etc.). From 1997-98, Archbishop Gomez served as a member at large on the board of directors for the National Catholic Council of Hispanic Ministry, and he was elected treasurer in 1999. From 1998-2000, he was on the steering committee for Encuentro 2000, a national celebration of the Jubilee Year 2000, which took place in Los Angeles and was sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Archbishop Gomez also is an enthusiastic supporter of vocations to the priesthood and religious life, and constantly encourages all Catholics to witness their faith in their daily lives. Archbishop Gomez played a key role in the recent establishment of the Hispanic Seminary of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, which opened in August 2000, founded by Mexican Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, educates Hispanic seminarians who will later serve in the United States. Archbishop Gomez also spearheaded the establishment of Denver’s new Centro San Juan Diego for Family and Pastoral Care, a place for formation of lay leaders and a base to provide welcoming services to immigrants. The Center has both a pastoral and social services mission. Archbishop Gomez also served as Pastor of Denver’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception from 2001-2003. Archbishop Gomez presently serves on the following boards and committees: Chair: Ad Hoc Committee on the Spanish Language Bible for the Church in America (USCCB), 2003 - Member: Committee on Doctrine (USCCB), 2002- Member: Committee on Priestly Formation (USCCB), 2002- Member: Committee on Hispanic Affairs (USCCB), 2002- Member: Committee for Priestly Life & Ministry (USCCB), 2003 – For his Episcopal motto, Archbishop Gomez chose a scriptural passage from the Letter to the Hebrews: "Let us go forth with confidence to the Throne of Grace." (Heb. 4:16)

Rev. David Garcia
Rector, appointed June 1, 1995

Very Rev. David Garcia, born in San Antonio, Texas, August 4, 1949. BA in History, St. Mary's University, San Antonio, Texas 1971. M.Th., Notre Dame University, Notre Dame, Indiana, 1974. M.S.A., Notre Dame University, Notre Dame, Indiana, 1984. Charles Merrill Fellow, Harvard University, 1994. Ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of San Antonio, March 21, 1975. Pastor of Immaculate Conception Church, San Antonio, 1976-1980. Secretary to the Archbishop of San Antonio and Director of Administrative Services, 1980-1988. Vocation Director of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, 1988-1994. Appointed Rector of San Fernando Cathedral, June 1, 1995.

Rev. James (Jake) Empereur, S.J.
Parochial Vicar, appointed 1995

Rev. James L. Empereur, S.J., Ph.D., born in Togerton, Wisconsin, December 21, 1933. BA in Philosophy and History, St. Louis University, 1958. Ph.L.,St. Louis University, 1959. S.T.L., Woodstock College, 1966. Ph.D. Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, 1972. Entrance into the Society of Jesus, 1952. Ordained a priest, June 8, 1965. Professor of Liturgy and Systematic Theology at Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley 1969-1993. Editor-in-chief of Modern Liturgy magazine 1973-1983. Founder of the Institute of Spirituality and Worship 1973-1993. Appointed parochial vicar of San Fernando Cathedral 1995. Resident scholar and liturgist of San Fernando.