By Katherine Jass Lopez | Special to The Michigan Catholic
San Antonio — With the announcement of Pope Benedict XVI’s appointment of Fr. José Arturo Cepeda as a new auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Detroit, many friends and colleagues in San Antonio experienced mixed emotions. Whether they’ve known Bishop Cepeda for many years or a short time, all agreed that Fr. Cepeda’s love for Christ and the Gospel will continue to impact the faithful in the new role that the has been called to.
During his time in San Antonio, Bishop Cepeda served as parochial vicar of San Antonio’s San Fernando Cathedral and as vocation director of the archdiocese, taught at Assumption Seminary and Oblate School of Theology, and has been a member of the formation faculty of St. Peter upon the Water: A Center for Spiritual Direction and Formation for the Archdiocese of San Antonio, and rector of Assumption Seminary.
In addition, Bishop Cepeda ministered on numerous boards, including the Mexican American Catholic College (MACC) and Oblate School of Theology Board of Trustees. Since his ordination in 1996, Bishop Cepeda has made a lasting impact on the faithful of San Antonio, and many say his presence will be missed.
Dr. Ramon Figueroa, Chairman of Assumption Seminary Board in San Antonio, has known Bishop Cepeda for 15 years and recalls teaming with him and others to revitalize the RCIA program at the San Fernando Cathedral.
“He brought a group of us together for a whole year; he trained us, taught us and formed us. He wanted us to not just teach others but be examples and to know exactly what we were teaching. The time he took to prepare us was a reflection of the kind of man he is — a man of God,” Figueroa said.
Being the vocational director at Assumption Seminary, Bishop Cepeda fervently focused on promoting vocations for priesthood and held the formation of the seminarians as a top priority.
“I appreciated working with Fr. Cepeda to meet the educational needs of the seminarians. I’ve know Fr. Cepeda since he was in the seminary and he is a man of great love for God and the Church, and his work is a reflection of that love,” said Dr. Arturo Chávez, president and CEO of MACC.
Msgr. Michael Boulette, chairman of the presbyteral council for the Archdiocese of San Antonio, has worked with Bishop Cepeda on many projects and holds him in high regard.
“He exhibits wonderful qualities and is willing to take on any service in the name of God. He is a dear friend and colleague to his fellow priests,” he said.
Like Chávez, Msgr. Boulette has also known Bishop Cepeda since he was in seminary. Bishop Cepeda’s future impact was known to the friends and colleagues from initial interactions with him. They knew that the Church would be blessed by the bishop’s “spiritual and intellectual gifts,” said Msgr. Boulette. “He is a great model for all of us to allow the grace of God to work through us to serve the Church,” he added.
Others who have worked with Bishop Cepeda echo the sentiment of his strong work ethic and love for the Church.
“I was a member of the vocation committee for the Archdiocese of San Antonio when I met Fr. Cepeda in 2005; he was the vocation director,” said Sr. Jane Mary Gawlik, CSSF, Associate Vocation Director for the Diocese of San Antonio. “My mouth just dropped when he asked me to be the associate vocation director — it took me a few months to say yes and I am so glad I did.
“He brings a level of professionalism but at the same time, empowers you and encourages you to bring out the best in you,” she added.
Bishop Cepeda’s joy is infectious and he treats everyone with respect, making them feel important, Sr. Jane stated. “The funeral mass he celebrated for my mother is still talked about in our family. He was so gracious and compassionate — he holds a special place in our family.”
Many of his fellow priests will miss their friend and confidant. His dedication is not only towards his biological family, but his spiritual family of fellow priests as well, said Rev. Carlos Velazquez, Pastor of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in San Antonio, who thinks of Bishop like a brother.
“I will especially miss going to the San Antonio Spurs Basketball games together. And I told him he better not become a Detroit Pistons fan! That’s my only fear — that he will go to the dark side,” added Rev. Velazquez with a chuckle.
To Fr. Eduardo Morales, Pastor St. Peter Prince of the Apostles Catholic Church in San Antonio, Bishop Cepeda is known as R2D2. Now, he says, he will refer to him as Bishop R2D2.
“I used to call him ‘Arturito,’ which is Spanish for Arturo and sounds like R2D2,” he said. “It fits because he is such a huge Star Wars fan.”
“Arturo and I are very good friends and I am beside myself that he is now a bishop; I so happy and thrilled for my friend; he has my total support. He is an excellent choice for the Church,” said Fr. Morales.
While many in San Antonio will miss Bishop Cepeda’s infectious smile and love for the Church, they all continue to hold him in prayer as he serves the faithful in Detroit.
“Bishop Cepeda will be a tremendous blessing to the Archdiocese of Detroit. He brings a deep love for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, passion in his work for vocations and reliable wisdom in ministry to the Hispanic Catholic,” said Bishop Oscar Cantú, DD, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of San Antonio.
