For Sarasota Catholic community's Padre, a legacy of service provides hope, inspiration

Father Celestino Gutiérrez's focus did not change when he arrived in Sarasota in 1985 after 17 years as a missionary in Guatemala, where he built churches and a hospital and supported a rural cooperative movement during a dark period of civil war.

"I have been a priest with the same agenda all my life," Gutiérrez said.

Only 17 people attended his first Mass for Spanish speakers at St. Martha's Catholic Church, a time when Latino Americans represented less than 1% of Sarasota's population. Hispanics are 10% of Sarasota residents today.

"The increase of newcomers from other states and other countries has filled our pews, classrooms and my heart," said Gutiérrez, who is retiring after 39 years in Sarasota – the last 18 as founding pastor of St. Jude Catholic Church. After building a legacy of compassion, good works, and goodwill, his final bilingual communal mass as pastor is Sunday at noon.

A newcomer to Sarasota like many in his flock, Gutiérrez began to celebrate Mass at the Celery Fields for migrant workers. He launched a Christmas program for the needy. He organized religious education programs, driving some of the kids to their first catechism classes.

"I give thanks to God each day for the opportunities I have had to serve Him," Gutiérrez said in an email. "At St. Jude we average 300 children in the catechism classes. Some learn their prayers in English (often their preference); others learn in Spanish (choice of their parents). It is with great pride to then see these kids grow up as charitable volunteers, eager to work on programs to help the needy, the homeless, the less fortunate. I have been blessed with the love of faith our church demonstrates."

As the Latino congregation grew with new faces from Cuba, Mexico, and Central and South America, Most Rev. John J. Nevins, the first bishop of the Diocese of Venice, acknowledged the need for a new church. Ground was broken for St. Jude Church in 2004. The parish was inaugurated on May 28, 2006.

"St. Jude has been an active community since its inauguration," Gutiérrez said. "Standing room only is the norm at many masses, joining the two communities, English speakers and Spanish speakers, working together as families who help one another, promoting friendship and worship."

More than 3,000 parishioners now belong St. Jude Church.

“Father Celestino’s tremendous influence on St. Jude Parish and indeed, the diocese of Venice, cannot be overstated," Most Rev. Frank J. Dewane, bishop of the Diocese of Venice, said in an email. "His great joy ... is contagious and has been a bright light in our Catholic community. Father Celestino’s pastoral guidance for almost 40 years here in the diocese has brought many closer to Christ, especially those in the Hispanic community.

"He had a clear passion for service," Dewane said, "and taught that so much can be learned about faith through the simple act of helping others.”

St. Jude Church added a rectory in 2010. Through the years a food bank joined the campus with distributions twice a week. A thrift shop operates on weekends. Gutiérrez, known in the community simply at Padre, also helps immigrant families apply for amnesty, and the annual St. Jude Hispanic Festival supports a multitude of parish outreach efforts.

'A church for all people'

"El Padre works hard to provide a church for all people," said Francis Verdoni, St. Jude Parish secretary and religious education director for over 35 years. "Our church has people from Canada to Patagonia. Filipinos, Vietnamese, French families from the circus come to St. Jude."

Kathy Schersten, development director for St. Jude Church and a board member of UnidosNow, met Padre during his first week in Sarasota in her role as president of the Hispanic-American Association. She was instrumental in fundraising for the construction of St. Jude Church.

"This is a true missionary priest whose focus has always been on helping others," Schersten said. "Working daily as a volunteer with Padre as chair of the Capital Campaign has been a highlight of my life. He taught me true passion for a cause ... and the importance of the church's focus on charity."

Felipe Cava, a longtime parishioner, credits Padre with helping his wife and family get settled in Sarasota.

"He understands all of us and respects every country’s traditions," Cava said. "He dedicates special time to every country to celebrate its most important patron saints festivities like the Mexican Virgen de Guadalupe or El Señor de los Milagros of Peru [Lord of the Miracles], and others."

Gutiérrez, 83, who entered seminary at age 12, is a native of Bercimuel – population less than 100 – in the province of Segovia, Spain, where he was educated and ordained in 1964. On June 24, Padre will celebrate 60 years as a priest.

"I will continue to serve when needed," Gutiérrez said. "St. Jude is my church, just as Santo Tomas Church is in my home in Spain, and as were my missionary ones in Guatemala. My vocation never really retires."

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: For St. Jude Church's Padre, a life of service, compassion, inspiration