Then-Deacon Alfred Omar Guerrero assisted the bishop at the altar during his 2016 diaconate ordination. (HCH file photo)
Father Alfred Omar Guerrero has been named the director of the Office of Worship for the Diocese of Honolulu.
The pastor of the Newman Center/Holy Spirit Parish at the University of Hawaii at Manoa will continue that role while adding on the responsibilities of guiding liturgical protocols and resources. The appointment is effective April 14, according to an announcement by Bishop Larry Silva’s office.
Father Guerrero will be working with the departing Office of Worship director, Deacon Modesto Cordero, until he leaves the islands at the end of May.
Deacon Cordero and his wife are moving to California to be closer to their daughters and where he will be the director of the Office of Worship in the Diocese of Orange. He has led the Honolulu Office of Worship since 2012.
In sharing the bishop’s appointment to diocesan staff in an email, Deacon Cordero offered Father Guerrero his “most sincere congratulations.”
He also told the Herald in an email that Father Guerrero’s “priestly training and love for the sacred liturgy will help him to impart a fresh look and touch to our diocesan celebrations.”
“His great understanding, of the importance the history and tradition of our Catholic Church have in our liturgical celebrations, will enable him to be a rich source of support for our clergy, parishes, schools and the faithful at large,” Deacon Cordero added.
“Fr. Alfred’s young spirit will help him to carry out the responsibilities of the office with great respect and an open mind without placing in jeopardy the true meaning of our faith celebrations. I look forward to collaborating with him not only as a brother clergymen but as a liturgist in the near future.”
Deacon Modesto Cordero serving at adoration in 2020 (Photo: Dann Ebina)
Father Guerrero was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Honolulu in May 2017 and the Newman Center/Holy Spirit’s pastor in January 2019.
The main purpose of the Office of Worship is “to assist the diocesan bishop, the chief priest and liturgist of the local Church,” according to the diocesan website’s description of the role.
The office “instructs and assists clergy and parish liturgical ministers in the work of guiding the People of God in their celebration of the liturgy and the sacraments” and gives parishes and the deacon formation program workshops, guidelines and other resources “that will be in keeping with the liturgical norms of the Church and enrich the faith life of parishioners.” It also coordinates any liturgical function led by the bishop.
Q&A
Father Alfred Omar Guerrero responded to a few of our questions about his new role.
When were you asked to take the role and why did you decide to take it?
I was asked by the bishop to consider taking on the role of director when the vacancy in the office became apparent. I took several weeks to pray and discern about taking on an additional responsibility. I decided to accept bishop’s recommendation because I have to be a good steward of the gifts and talents I have received from God. If the bishop thinks I can do it, I must try. Before I was in the seminary, a priest once told me, “You won’t know if you don’t try.” Of course, this was referring to entering the seminary, but it also applies to anything in life.
How will you balance your Newman Center responsibilities with the Office of Worship work? The short answer: by the grace of God. The longer answer is time management and a tighter schedule. It might seem like a full plate, but I’ll just use a bigger one. The bishop envisions two-thirds of my time would be at the Newman Center and one-third would be with the Office of Worship. Nonetheless, I will dedicate my 100% to both responsibilities.
Do you have any specific goals in mind as you take over the job?
I have yet to review the job description of the director of the Office of Worship and shadow Deacon Modesto this month before he leaves for his new post. However, one of my goals is to increase the Liturgical Catechesis around the diocese for both the clergy and lay faithful.
Any other comments?
I want to thank Bishop Silva for entrusting this major diocesan role to me and Deacon Modesto for all the work he has done to make this office what it is today. He has really built it from scratch and will leave it to me in a great condition. St. Basil of Caesarea, patron of liturgist, pray for me!
