New administrator at San Felipe in Wendover

Friday, Jan. 30, 2015

SALT LAKE CITY — Father Oscar Manuel Hernández-Hernández has been appointed as the new administrator of San Felipe Parish in Wendover. His assignment started Dec. 14.

A native of Victoria, El Salvador, Fr. Hernández said that his call to priesthood was born in his family.

“I came from a very religious family. I even have a first cousin who has been a priest for 20+ years,” said Fr. Hernández. “I always worked with my dad and we always prayed the rosary every day. One day, working in the field, I felt the call [to the priesthood] as a very, very special feeling inside of me.”

That happened in 1994. By the beginning of the next year, Fr. Hernández was enrolled in the Seminary Pio XII in El Salvador. He was ordained a priest on July 3, 2005, by the Most Rev. Bishop Jose Luis Escobar Alas, Bishop of the Diocese of San Vicente.

After his ordination, Fr. Hernández served in three different parishes in San Vicente, El Salvador. His invitation to come to Utah came from Father Jose Alberto Barrera, parochial vicar of the Cathedral of the Madeleine, who also is from El Salvador.

“Talking with Fr. Jose Alberto, he put me in contact with the diocese, opening this opportunity,” said Fr. Hernández.

After his arrival last March, Fr. Hernández served at the Cathedral until August.

“I was also collaborating with Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish,” said Fr. Hernández; then he was sent to Orem to serve at Saint Francis of Assisi Parish before being appointed administrator of San Felipe Parish in Wendover. 

“When God decides that it is time for you to be in a new place, he might have good things to give us – better things – and that’s the way I see it here,” Fr. Hernández said. “Bishop Wester gave me the opportunity to be able to share the ministry here; he asked me to follow up with the process that my predecessors have started here.”

For example, Father Marco Tulio López [now pastor of Saint Andrew Parish in Riverton] started a process of parochial organization and “I will be following up with it,” Fr. Hernández said.

Right now, Fr. Hernández said that he is observing and getting to know the community so he can learn and keep up with the work that has already started.

“I want to support the priesthood mission, serving all the people. I want to keep working on the road that has been already carved here,” said Fr. Hernández, who also wants the community to know that he is open and willing to work hand-in-hand with them.

“I also want them to know that I am very grateful with them and with the bishop for entrusting me this community. I want to do everything that I can in order to serve them and to serve God,” he said.

Inviting his new parishioners to keep their eyes on Jesus and not look away, Fr. Hernández hopes that the community keeps always in mind that God “is the one who guides this parish and guides this community. … Listen to Him.”