The Rev. Mr. Gray's priestly ordination is June 29

Intermountain Catholic

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In this file photo, Deacon Christopher Gray hands the book of the Gospels to Pope Francis during the 2013 Easter Mass for the Holy Father to kiss and then bless the people with it. Courtesy photo/Deacon Christopher Gray

SALT LAKE CITY — Transitional Deacon Christopher Gray will be ordained into the priesthood by the Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City, in the Cathedral of the Madeleine on June 29.

Deacon Gray entered Mount Angel Seminary in 2007 for two years, and completed his studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He has earned an advanced theology degree from the Pontifical Lateran University.

"It was when he graduated from high school that he told his father and me he was going to enter the seminary," said Maria Cruz Gray, his mother and Office of Hispanic Ministries director; his father is Deacon Forrest Gray, coordinator for the diocesan Office of Continuing Deacon Formation. "I told him he better go to college and find out about life first, but now we are not only very proud, we are thankful to the Lord."

Deacon Christopher Gray graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in mathematics and Spanish literature.

"His academic gifts are very noticeable, and he’s used those gifts very prudently and wisely and with great generosity," said Bishop Wester. "I think that some of the gifts that people might not notice at first meeting is that he is a very caring individual, he has a very good heart, he’s very compassionate, and he cares a lot about others. … He’s a good leader, not given to excess, and can organize well and lead people toward a goal. Those are all good gifts in a parish. He is very prayerful and spiritual, all those gifts and characteristics will help him be a very fine parish priest."

Deacon Gray was born in California. The Gray family moved to Utah in 1987; Deacon Gray attended Saint Olaf School in Bountiful until the Madeleine Choir School opened in 1996. "He loved music, the choir and playing the piano and organ," said his mother.

Deacon Gray entered the Madeleine Choir School as an eighth grader. "From there we could see the beginnings of his vocation," said Gregory Glenn, Madeleine Choir School founder and pastoral administrator. "He was very devoted to the liturgy and the choir, and after graduating, he continued to sing in the Cathedral of the Madeleine choir."

Deacon Gray was an excellent student, said Glenn. "He was very interested in theology and religious education and very keen on the arts and humanities. He edited our first literary journal, which was quite an academic achievement, and we could see he had quite a future."

Deacon Gray continued as the editor-in-chief of the literary magazine "Catharsis" at Judge Memorial Catholic High School; he graduated in 2001.

"He was the kindest, gentlest leader; he listened to others, he was mature and was such a pleasure to work with because he considered all sides, and led with such class," said Linda Simpson, Judge Memorial English teacher and literary magazine moderator. "He developed posters to advertise the literary magazine that we still use because they were so clever. He is bright, artistic, insightful and thoughtful."

Simpson also was Deacon Gray’s ninth-grade English teacher and remembers his research paper on the priesthood. "I recall thinking ‘If that’s the path Christopher ends up choosing, he would be such a wonderful priest,’" she said. "He is so interested in other people, in learning and always thinking outside the box."

"He was in the choir for four years and was a wonderful pianist," said Ramona Mayer, Judge Memorial choir teacher. "He had a gentle spirit, gentle soul and he was so talented."

Deacon Gray began in 2001 as an intern at the Intermountain Catholic and was a staff writer and web master when he left for the seminary in 2007. He has returned to the Diocese of Salt Lake City on breaks. Last summer, he was on assignment at Saint George Parish, assisting at Mass and visiting the sick. He also taught a course in Christology at St. George Parish and the St. Paul Center in Hurricane, said Father Tai Nguyen, parochial vicar. "He treated the parishioners with care, love and serenity and the people loved him."

The newly ordained Father Gray is scheduled to celebrate Masses of Thanksgiving in English and Spanish at the Cathedral of the Madeleine June 30 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.

(See related story on p. 2.)