Staff Directory

Rev. Dr. Edgardo Jara, O.F.M., D.Min, better known as Fr. Lalo, was born in San Carlos, Costa Rica. He grew up in a faith-oriented family where his parents guided him to love God, others, and creation. Even in his youth, he took his faith seriously, as evidenced by his involvement in the youth choir and liturgy. His commitment was further manifested by participating in the Faith Formation Program as a catechist. He studied business administration before joining the Order of Friars Minor in 1997 in Mexico. For family reasons, he left the Franciscan Order and returned to his home country, where he joined the diocesan seminary. Following his Franciscan vocation in 2012, he returned to the Franciscan way of life. Upon completing his novitiate in Burlington, WI, he was sent to the Franciscan School of Theology in California, where he earned a Master of Divinity before being ordained a priest in February 2017. He has been an advisor to the Spanish Small Christian Communities (SCC) in the United States and a member of CEB Continental in the last 10 years. His interest in SCC is reflected in his doctoral dissertation at Fordham University, New York, where he completed a Doctor of Ministry degree. In the last 10 years, he has worked on the East Coast. First at St. Camillus Parish, Silver Spring, MD, then at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Triangle, VA, and lastly in the Archdiocese of Washington DC, again, but in the Office of Cultural Diversity and Outreach, then as Director of the Office of Evangelization and Pastoral Planning. Motivated by his concern for the evangelization and formation of the Hispanic brothers and sisters, Fr. Lalo hosted a Podcast with Juan Diego Network, Cafeteando con P. Lalo (Drinking Coffee with Fr. Lalo), and as one of the National Eucharistic Preachers appointed by the USCCB during the National Eucharistic Revival Process, he has hosted a Podcast, “Fe + Coffee,” to reflect deeper in the Eucharist. He has been a keynote speaker at different diocese congresses across the country, such as the Diocese of Richmond, Diocese of Monterey, Diocese of Reno, Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, and preacher in several parish retreats and workshops as well. In addition to his love for teaching, Fr. Lalo likes hiking, watching movies, getting to know different cultures and traditions, traveling, singing, taking a nap in a hammock, and drinking a lot of coffee.

My name is Macario Torres Torres. In México I am known as Jacobo as well. Jacobo was my religious name as a friar. I go by More, as I have been affectionately known since childhood. I was born in Romita, Guanajuato; México. My parents are Juan and Teresa. I have six brothers and four sisters. Romita is a farming town. The inhabitants there are very religious people with a long history of cultural traditions. I grew up in my home town, where I received my early education. I felt a call to religious life and the Franciscan Order as a teenager. I entered the novitiate and professed my first vows but later left the community to pursue other paths. During that time, I taught religion and Spanish in a high school and then studied Theology as a layman for two years. Eventually, I came to the United States of America to study English while living at Casa Juan Diego in San Antonio, Texas. I was accepted as a postulant for our Franciscan Province of the Sacred Heart at Joliet, Illinois. Then, I made my novitiate at Cedar Lake, Indiana, and eventually continued my theological studies at Catholic Theological Union in Hyde Park, during which I spent a year at Laverna Friary and did ministry at Saint Anthony Parish in Saint Louis, Missouri, before my solemn profession. Then, on October 19, 2013, I solemnly professed my vows in Saint Louis, MO. After that, I moved to Saint Peter’s Church in Chicago and was ordained a Deacon on January 18, 2014 in Saint Peter’s. Finally, I finished my theological studies in May 2014. Also, I helped as a Deacon at Assumption Parish just across the River in Chicago and at Saint John the Baptist Parish in Joliet, Illinois. On September 27, 2014, I was ordained into the office of Priesthood. Right after my ordination, I was appointed Parochial Vicar of Saint Francis Solanus in Quincy, IL. Then, my provincial asked me to move to Joliet, IL, to serve as a Parochial Vicar of Saint John the Baptist. Then, I was appointed pastor of two little parishes in San Antonio, Texas (Mission San Francisco de la Espada and Saint Frances X. Cabrini). Now, my provincial asked me to accept the new assignment as parochial vicar of Mission San Luis Rey Parish in Oceanside, CA, where I hope to faithfully serve the people of God and to work hard as a a good instrument of peace and an authentic follower of our Seraphic Father, Saint Francis of Assisi. I commend myself to your prayers and expect to walk together into this great adventure. Pace e Bene! Your friend, Fr. More Mi nombre es Macario Torres Torres. En México también me conocen como Jacobo. Jacobo era el nombre religioso como Fraile. “More”, es como me conocen cariñosamente desde mi infancia. Nací en Romita, Guanajuato; México. Mis padres son Juan y Teresa. Tengo seis hermanos y cuatro hermanas. Romita es un pueblo de agricultores. Los habitantes son muy religiosos y tienen una larga historia de tradiciones culturales. Crecí en mi pueblo natal, donde recibí mi educación temprana. Cuando era adolescente, sentí un llamado a la vida religiosa y a la Orden Franciscana. Entré en el noviciado y profesé mis primeros votos, pero luego dejé la comunidad para seguir otros caminos. Durante ese período de tiempo enseñé religión y español en una escuela preparatoria y luego estudié teología como laico durante dos años. Eventualmente, vine a los Estados Unidos de América para estudiar inglés mientras vivía en Casa Juan Diego en San Antonio, Texas. Fui aceptado como postulante para nuestra Provincia Franciscana del Sagrado Corazón en Joliet, Illinois. Luego hice mi noviciado en Cedar Lake Indiana y finalmente continué mis estudios teológicos en la Unión Teológica Católica en Hyde Park, durante la cual pasé un año en el convento Laverna y realicé el ministerio en la Parroquia de San Antonio en San Luis, Missouri, antes de mi profesión solemne. El 19 de octubre de 2013 profesé solemnemente mis votos en Saint Louis, MO. Después me mudé a la iglesia de San Pedro en Chicago y fui ordenado diácono el 18 de enero de 2014 en Saint Peter. Finalmente, terminé mis estudios teológicos en mayo de 2014. También ayudé como Diácono en la parroquia de la Asunción al otro lado del río en Chicago y en la Parroquia de San Juan Bautista en Joliet, Illinois. El 27 de septiembre de 2014 fui ordenado Sacerdote. Inmediatamente después de mi ordenación fui nombrado Vicario Parroquial en San Francisco Solanus en Quincy, Illinois. Luego mi provincial me pidió que me mudara a Joliet IL. Como Vicario Parroquial de San Juan Bautista. Después, fui nombrado Párroco de dos pequeñas parroquias en San Antonio Texas (Misión San Francisco de la Espada y Santa Frances X. Cabrini). Ahora mi provincial me ha pedido que acepte el nuevo cargo como Vicario de la Parroquia Misión San Luis Rey en Oceanside California, donde espero servir fielmente al pueblo de Dios y trabajar duro para ser un buen instrumento de paz y un auténtico seguidor de nuestro Seráfico Padre San Francisco de Asís. Me encomiendo a sus oraciones y espero caminar juntos en esta gran aventura. ¡Paz y Bien! Su amigo, Padre More