Father Carlos E. Vargas Silva

Date of Birth: March 28, 1977
Hometown: Florencia, Caqueta, Colombia, South America
Parents: Jaime Vargas and Mariana Silva
Siblings: Jaime Andres, Luz Adriana and Isabel Cristina
Education: 1986 graduate of Migani High School, Florencia (Colombia); 2000 graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas University, Bogota, in law; 2010 graduate of St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pa., with a master of divinity degree.

Work Experience: Two years as an attorney
Particular Ministries of Interest: Families and couples
Pastoral Internships: Summer experiences in different parishes throughout the Atlanta Archdiocese.
Hobbies and Interests: Running, camping
Favorite Seminary Class: Canon Law
Favorite Book: “A Priest’s Life”
Favorite Band: Rosa de Sarom
Favorite Scripture: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you came to birth I consecrated you; I appointed you as prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5)

Favorite Bible Story: The story of Joseph and his brothers because I learned to be patient even in those times that I could not see God’s presence.

Most Admired: St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina

First Assignment: Parochial vicar at St. Andrew Church, Roswell, where Msgr. Hugh Marren is pastor. The assignment is effective July 7, 2010.

Father Thang Minh Pham

Date of Birth: April 9, 1969
Hometown: Vietnam
Parents: Tuong Minh Pham and Bay Le
Siblings: Three brothers, Thai, Thy and Truc.

Education: 1993 graduate of Louis Joliette High School, Québec, Canada, in the adult program; attended one year of college at CEGEP Limoilou, Québec, in industrial electronics; 2005 graduate of St. John’s University, Queens, N.Y., with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy; 2010 graduate of St. Vincent Seminary, Latrobe, Pa., with a master of divinity degree.

Work Experience: Refugee camp laborer; electronics company assembler and machine operator; parish volunteer.
Particular Ministries of Interest: Ministering the most holy Eucharist
Pastoral Internships: St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church, Indiana, Pa.
Hobbies and Interests: Reading, camping, fishing, pilgrimage, doing meticulous work, soccer, playing music.
Favorite Seminary Class: Confessional and spiritual class
Favorite Book: “Jesus of Nazareth” by Pope Benedict XVI
Favorite Scripture: “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke :23)

Favorite Bible Story: The sinful woman who wept at the feet of Jesus at Simon’s house. (Luke 7:36-50)
Most Admired: The Holy Family
First Assignment: Parochial vicar at St. Peter Chanel Church, Roswell, where Father Peter Rau is pastor. The assignment is effective July 7, 2010.

 Father Michael R. Silloway

Date of Birth: Dec. 22, 1982
Hometown: Peachtree City
Parents: Lyndon and Cindy Silloway
Siblings: Jane, Patrick and William
Education: 2001 graduate of McIntosh High School, Peachtree City; 2006 graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, with a bachelor’s degree in theology; 2009 graduate of Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy, with a bachelor of sacred theology; currently pursuing a licentiate in sacred theology from the John Paul II Institute for Studies in Marriage and the Family in Rome, Italy, expected to be completed in 2011.

Work Experience: Fleet crew chief for a Peachtree City flight school (basic maintenance on civil trainer aircraft); bag boy at Publix Supermarket; private saxophone instruction; day camp counselor.

Particular Ministries of Interest: All of them! In particular, youth ministry and hearing confessions.
Pastoral Internships: Our Lady of Knock Shrine in Knock, Ireland, summer 2007; Legion of Mary, school year 2007-2008; St. Peter Church, LaGrange, summer 2008; assistant chaplain at the American University of Rome, school year 2008-2009; St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Alpharetta, summer 2009; chaplain at the American University of Rome, school year 2009-2010.

Hobbies and Interests: Model aviation, biking, hiking, camping, guitar, ukulele, saxophone, singing.
Favorite Seminary Class: Christology
Favorite Book: “Life of Christ” by Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
Favorite Band: Matt Maher
Favorite Scripture: “Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, preserve in prayer.” (Romans 12:11-12)

Favorite Bible Story: “My favorite Bible story is probably Jesus’ parable of the Lost Sheep. I’ve been that sheep plenty of times in my life, but Jesus always calls and seeks me out. I’ve also felt the Lord calling me to be a good shepherd, seeking out and bringing comfort to his lost and distressed sheep.”

Most Admired: My Dad and Mom, for their great witnesses of love and strength.

First Assignment: Parochial vicar for July and August 2010 at St. Theresa Church, Douglasville, where Father Fernando Molina Restrepo is pastor. In September 2010 Father Silloway will resume graduate studies in theology in Rome, Italy.

Father Mario A. López Castro

Date of Birth: March 7, 1977
Hometown: Medellin, Colombia, South America
Parents: Luz Mariela Castro Franco and Mario de la Cruz López Muños
Siblings: One brother
Education: 2003 college graduate in industrial engineering (Colombia); 2009 graduate of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md., with a master of divinity degree.

Work Experience: Worked as an engineer in Colombia following graduation and earlier worked as a tutor and in restaurants and clothing stores.

Particular Ministries of Interest: Religious education and hospital/nursing home visits.
Pastoral Internships: Our Lady of the Americas Mission, Doraville, 2004; St. Peter Chanel Church, Roswell, summer 2005; St. Brigid Church, Johns Creek, summer 2006; St. Joseph Church, Marietta, summer 2007; St. John Neumann Church, Lilburn, summer 2008; St. Vincent de Paul Church, Dallas, spring of 2009-spring of 2010.

Hobbies and Interests: Hiking, tennis, and music
Favorite Seminary Class: Catholic medical morality
Favorite Scripture: “Do not be afraid.”
Favorite Bible Story: Creation account because the biblical account of creation in the Book of Genesis is all about love—the love of God for us. A love so focused on our needs that every aspect of what God created now provides the perfect environment in which we can thrive and prosper.

Most Admired: My grandmother

First Assignment: Parochial vicar at Sacred Heart Basilica, Atlanta, where Father T.J. Meehan is pastor. The assignment is effective July 7, 2010.

 Father Llane Briese

Date of Birth: May 31, 1986
Hometown: Snellville
Parents: Forrest and Deborah Briese
Education: 2003 graduate of St. Pius X High School, Atlanta; 2003-2004, studied engineering at Clemson University, Clemson, S.C.; 2006 graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy; graduate of Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy, with a bachelor of sacred theology; currently pursuing a licentiate in biblical theology from Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy.

Particular Ministries of Interest: Adult education and youth ministry
Pastoral Internships: Mary Our Queen Church, Norcross, summer 2008; Holy Cross Church, Atlanta, summer 2009.

Hobbies and Interests: I am a diehard fan of the Atlanta pro sports teams (especially the Braves) and the Clemson Tigers. I also enjoy reading, biblical studies, spending time with friends and language study.

Favorite Seminary Class: Pauline ethics
Favorite Book: The Bible
Favorite Band: Matt Maher
Favorite Scripture: “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” (Luke 2:10)

Favorite Bible Story: The Prologue to the Gospel of John (John 1:1-18); it sums up succinctly the entire event of salvation.
Most Admired: St. Paul, St. Jerome, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Maximilian Kolbe, Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.

First Assignment: Parochial vicar for July and August 2010 at St. Mark Church, Clarkesville, and St. Helena Mission, Clayton, where Father Jose Luis Hernandez is pastor and administrator. In September 2010 Father Briese will resume graduate studies in Rome, Italy.

 Father Thomas Zahuta

Date of Birth: March 10, 1961
Hometown: South Plainfield, N.J.
Parents: Pauline and the late Andrew Zahuta
Siblings: Paul, Joseph and Susan. Brother Michael and sister Nancy died in childhood.
Education: 1984 graduate of Ramapo College of New Jersey, with a bachelor of science in business administration; 2010 graduate of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md., with a master of divinity degree.

Work Experience: Auditor and analyst for InterContinental Hotels Group, Atlanta.
Particular Ministries of Interest: Administering the sacraments
Pastoral Internships: St. Vincent de Paul Church, Dallas; St. Joseph Church, Marietta; Prince of Peace Church, Flowery Branch; St. Luke the Evangelist Church, Dahlonega.

Hobbies and Interests: Golf, outdoor recreation.
Favorite Seminary Class: Grace and Eschatology
Favorite Book: The Bible

Favorite Scripture: “To this end, we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith, that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)

Favorite Bible Story: The story of Joseph, son of Jacob (Israel). It gives us hope that God can raise us up out of any kind of hopeless situation. It shows that the providence of God is greater than any evil or injustice that we may encounter. God can still bring about his purpose despite others trying to destroy that plan. Joseph is also a good model of forgiveness.

Most Admired: Besides Jesus, the Apostle Paul.

First Assignment: Parochial vicar at St. Monica Church, Duluth, where Father Jack Durkin is pastor. The assignment is effective July 7, 2010.