Fr. José Castañeda

Parish: St. Philip the Apostle, Green Bay

Birth Date: December 15

Parish Assignment as of July 1, 2010:

St. Bernard and St. Philip the Apostle Parishes in Green Bay

Parish Address: 2040 Hillside Lane, Green Bay, WI  54302-4098

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Fr. José Castañeda and Fr. Dan Viertel were ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Ricken at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 5, at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay. He had been ordained to the diaconate on Nov. 21, 2009.

Read the story about Fr. Castañeda in The Compass

What are some of the things you enjoy doing?
I like to meet new people and learn about their customs and cultures. I have been in the United States a couple of years. I have many friends around the world because I like to socialize with people from other cultures. I like to read books, watch T.V., listen to classical music, and eat different kinds of food. I began my pastoral year in Good Shepherd Parish and I am learning how to socialize with the community, attend Morning Prayer, holy hours, nursing homes and helping folks during a time of loss, such as funerals.

Please describe your family.
My family is the best gift that I received after my faith. My family’s love for me has influenced me in each situation in my life. Their love and the way they have taken care of me made it difficult for me to leave them in order to have other experiences outside of home. One of the things that my family has always taught me was to respect each other’s decisions and lifestyles. They have respected me, and will be with me always. We love each other very much.
I appreciate all that my family has done for me and I do not think I have any regrets, I thank God for the family he has chosen for me to be with.

How has seminary helped you grow in your faith and your vocation?
The seminary has helped me grow in my faith and vocation. The seminary helped bring all of my values for my personal discernment. Prayer is an essential component to the process in the seminary. The seminarians learn how to be humble, charitable and courageous. We become more familiar with the Lord in prayer. We participate in the daily celebration of Mass so that we can grow in our relationship with the Lord. The sacrament of penance brings into focus the way in which one attempts to live a more holy life. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is a powerful way to grow in love with the eucharistic Lord and to grow in the spiritual life. Daily prayer, devotion to the Blessed Mother and spiritual direction enable me to grow closer to the Lord.

What do you like about the Diocese of Green Bay?
I love the Diocese of Green Bay because it is a place where I can find God with the people. I have been in the Diocese for a couple of years; I have enriched my faith, with the experience of God that I have seen in this community. The Diocese has the power to help in pastoral ministry people from others countries. I would like to help to the communities grow in their faith, especially the Latin American communities, and help this community to discover their experience of God.

Who are some of your favorite saints?
I like to read books about saints. I think that they are good models to follow. I have a good experience knowing Padre Pio of Pietrelcina’s life. He has influenced me in how he lived his love to God. His childhood was influenced by God. Padre Pio was a generous dispenser of divine mercy, making himself available to all by welcoming them, by spiritual direction, and especially, by the administration of the sacrament of Penance. Another saint I admire is St. Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney “Curé d'Ars”. He had exemplary life. He had many difficulties leaning a new language, and he had many experiences of God thought out his life. Mother Teresa of Calcutta’s life shows me her love with the heart to all people, especially the most needy. I learned so much about them. I like to mirror these holy people in my life.