Get to Know Our Three New Priests

Following is a Q&A with each of the three men ordained for the Diocese of Colorado Springs on June 6:

FATHER DOMINIC AMBUUL 

Tell us about where you grew up and your family.
I was born and raised in Colorado Springs proper, being homeschooled while attending mass at Corpus Christi. I’m the fourth oldest of 10 kids, and my family has seven boys and three girls.

Where did you graduate from high school?
I graduated from Thomas MacLaren High School in 2018, where I received a classical education and I really began to grow in my love for truth, goodness and beauty.

How old were you when you first began to seriously consider the priestly vocation? Was there anyone who was particularly influential during your vocation journey?
I seriously began considering my priestly vocation when I was about 17 years old after my brother (Father Anthony Ambuul) joined the seminary and I visited him there. I was very blessed to be born into a solid Catholic family, as well as having many good Catholic friends and influential priests in my life who helped me to consider the vocation to the priesthood. Principally, I owe my consideration of the priestly vocation to my parents as well as my education.

Are there any devotions or prayers that were especially helpful during your seminary formation? 
During my seminary formation, the practice of the holy hour and learning to form the interior life greatly impacted in my relationship with God in ways that I never could’ve imagined. Spiritual reading and meditation also helped inform my understanding of the faith and give reason for an increase in love for God and things concerning him and his Church.

Where did you earn your bachelor’s degree, and what did you study in college?
I got my Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy at St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Nebraska.

Where did you earn your master of divinity, and did you concentrate your studies in any certain area?
I got my Master of Divinity from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland. I did not concentrate my studies on anything in particular, but gave myself as best as I could to the studies at hand.

Describe some of the summer assignments you had as a seminarian. Which did you particularly enjoy?

For many of my summer assignments, I was very blessed to have thoughtful priests who were helpful in teaching me many things about how parishes are run, as well as some of the difficulties that may arise. I particularly enjoyed getting to know the faithful people of God and their families, and seeing how Christ is at work in their lives.

What advice would you give to a young man currently discerning the priesthood? 
Take consolation in the fact that God will not abandon you in your earnest pursuit of his will if you believe that he is calling you to discern the priesthood. A beautiful quote that struck me concerning my own happiness being found in the will of God goes as follows: “If that which God Himself chooses for you does not content you, from whom do you expect to obtain what you desire?” God is the source of all goodness, and he desires your good. If you give yourself to him faithfully, he will not abandon you. Pray without ceasing.

FATHER YUNIOR GONZALEZ-DIAZ

Tell us about where you grew up and your family.
I grew up in Camagüey, Cuba, in a very simple family with a strong Catholic faith. My family, especially my grandmother on my mother’s side, taught me the importance of prayer, sacrifice, and trusting in God even during difficult moments. I have one sibling, and family has always been very important in my life. 
I also grew up during a time when practicing the Catholic faith in Cuba was not always easy. During parts of my childhood, faith was often lived quietly, and many people experienced challenges or pressure because of their beliefs. Today, things in Cuba are more flexible than they were during those years, but growing up in that environment taught me never to take faith for granted.
One of the memories that marked me most deeply was seeing my grandmother’s devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Her witness of faith helped shape my vocation in many ways. I still remember when government authorities wanted her to remove the picture of the Sacred Heart from her living room because it could be seen from the street. She refused and defended her faith courageously, saying, “Over my body.” That simple but powerful witness stayed with me. Also, her name was Flor de Maria (Flower of Mary); everyone called her “Flor”. Her courage, faith, and love for God are things I still carry in my heart today.

Where did you graduate from high school?
I graduated from high school in Camagüey, Cuba. Later, I earned my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, also in Camagüey. After that, I continued my studies and priestly formation in the United States.

How old were you when you first began to seriously consider the priestly vocation? Was there anyone who was particularly influential during your vocation journey?
I began seriously discerning the priesthood in my early childhood. After my First Communion, something began growing quietly in my heart. At only seven years old, I became very motivated to attend evening Mass every day and serve at the altar. No one taught me, not one reminded me what time is mass, only by myself. Even as a child, I felt drawn to the life of the Church and loved being close to liturgy and the parish community. Later, during my adolescent and youth years, I became more involved in ministry. I helped teach religious education classes and participated in missionary work to evangelize and help establish a Catholic community near Havana, Cuba, called Capdeville. At that time, it was a very small mission community, and today there is a chapel and a vibrant Catholic community there. Seeing the faith of the people and helping build up the Church in simple ways became a very meaningful experience for me.
Life later brought many changes, and when I had to leave Cuba and move first to Michoacán, Mexico, and later to the United States, my priority became helping and supporting my family. Even so, the idea of the priesthood never completely left my heart. It remained there quietly through the years. Many people influenced my vocation journey along the way: priests, my grandmother, the Salesian Sisters in Cuba, the Franciscans, and many faithful people who lived their faith with joy, humility, and simplicity. The witness of priests who were close to the people deeply inspired me. Before discerning to become a diocesan priest for the Diocese of Colorado Springs in 2017, I had the opportunity to spend time in formation with the Conventual Franciscans. I learned a great deal from them, and I still carry the Franciscan spirituality in my heart today. That experience helped me mature spiritually and grow in discernment. Over time, through prayer, ministry, and many life experiences, I came to realize that the Lord was calling me to give my life completely to him and to his Church. God’s call sometimes takes time, and the journey is not always direct, but it is never too late when he calls. In the end, every step of the journey led me back to him.

Are there any devotions or prayers that were especially helpful during your seminary formation? 
During seminary formation, devotion to the Eucharist was especially important for me. Spending time before the Blessed Sacrament gave me strength and peace. I also have a deep devotion to Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre and Our Lady of Guadalupe. The rosary, holy hours, and simple personal prayer helped me remain grounded during both joyful and challenging moments of formation. I also found Lectio Divina and Visio Divina very meaningful, especially in helping me prepare homilies and reflect more deeply on Scripture.

Where did you earn your bachelor’s degree, and what did you study in college?
 I earned my bachelor’s degree in Cuba as an Elementary Education teacher. Later, after beginning my formation journey in the United States, my studies focused on theology and preparation for priestly ministry.

Where did you earn your master of divinity, and did you concentrate your studies in any certain area?
I began my Master of Divinity studies at St. Pope John XXIII Seminary and later completed my Master of Divinity at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology. During my studies, I especially enjoyed Scripture, pastoral theology, multicultural ministry, and liturgy.

Describe some of the summer assignments you had as a seminarian. Which did you particularly enjoy?
During seminary formation, I had opportunities to serve in different parishes and ministries, including Hispanic ministry, catechesis, liturgical ministry, hospital visits, and parish summer assignments. I especially enjoyed parish life and working closely with people in both English- and Spanish-speaking communities. Walking with families, celebrating the sacraments, and simply being present to people during important moments of their lives were some of the most meaningful experiences for me.

What advice would you give to a young man currently discerning the priesthood?  
My advice to a young man discerning the priesthood is this: do not be afraid to listen honestly to God’s voice. Prayer is essential. Spend time before the Blessed Sacrament, speak with good priests and trusted people, and remain open to wherever God may lead you. I also encourage young men to begin by serving others, serving at the altar, helping the community, teaching religious education in a youth group, volunteering with ministries or Catholic charities, and simply being close to the people. Many times, that is where the first spark begins. If serving others brings joy and peace to your heart, pay attention to that. Vocation is not about being perfect; it is about trusting that God can work through you. The journey is not always easy, but it is beautiful when you discover that Christ is truly calling you.

FATHER IAN WHITE

Tell us about where you grew up and your family.
I grew up in Colorado Springs. My father, Sean White, is originally from St. Louis Missouri and my mother, Kellee Flannery, was an Air Force BRAT; her family settled in Colorado Springs in the 1980s and they have been here ever since. My parents met in college at CSU Fort Collins. They settled back down in Colorado Springs and had five children, four girls and myself: Grace, Elise, Mary, and Catherine, I am the second oldest. 

Where did you graduate from high school?
I graduated from Thomas MacLaren School in 2018, where I had attended middle school as well as high school. MacLaren has been highly influential for me, both in its shaping of how I approach the world as well as the deep friendships I formed there.

How old were you when you first began to seriously consider the priestly vocation? Was there anyone who was particularly influential during your vocation journey?
I was 18 when I seriously began thinking about the priesthood. I was on a mission trip in Evansville, Indiana, and was really struck by the life of the missionaries. Their example of Christian life, as well as their emphasis on the reality that, if Christianity is true, it has to shape our whole lives, really inspired me to want to live my life entirely for Christ. This initial example was bolstered both by the gentle encouragement of my mother as well as the friendly frankness of Father Kyle Ingels. The example of the seminarians during my visit to the seminary during my discernment was also very helpful. Seeing the same joy and naturalness of the Christian life the the missionaries displayed in Evansville amongst the seminarians at St. Gregory the Great during my visit was very influential on my decision to enter the seminary.

Are there any devotions or prayers that were especially helpful during your seminary formation? 
I found that different devotions and saints played their own roles during my time in the seminary. Early on, St. Faustina and the Divine Mercy played a very large role. Later on, St. Therese of Lisieux, the Sacred Heart, the Name of Jesus, and the Face of Jesus, as well as St. John Henry Newman played a large role, with many other devotions and saints playing a part as well. As for prayers in particular the Mass the Liturgy of the Hours and regular mental prayer have consistently been the sources of consolation and formation during by time in seminary. I have a special affection for the Liturgy of the Hours and its role in creating a regular life of prayer.

Where did you earn your bachelor’s degree, and what did you study in college?
I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy at St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward, Nebraska. The philosophical training I received there from within the Thomistic tradition has been invaluable in my intellectual, human, spiritual, and pastoral formation.

Where did you earn your master of divinity, and did you concentrate your studies in any certain area?
I earned a Masters of Divinity as well as a Masters of Arts in Theology with an emphasis on Scripture from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg Maryland. Although my focus was in Scripture, I found myself throughout my studies drawn to questions regarding systematic theology from a specifically Scholastic perspective.

Describe some of the summer assignments you’ve had as a seminarian. Which did you particularly enjoy?
I have been assigned to Ave Maria in Parker, Divine Redeemer in Colorado Springs (now the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe Mother of the Divine Redeemer), and Antigua Guatemala for Spanish studies. My assignment to study Spanish in Guatemala was probably the most enjoyable overall. I am not particularly gifted at foreign languages, and thus I found the actual study very difficult but still exciting as I gained more versatility with the language. The most striking thing about being in Guatemala was how much it expanded my understanding of the world. St. John Henry Newman says that travel can have a similar effect to study in the broadening of the mind if done properly, and I definitely experienced that very much in living in a totally different culture for five weeks. That experience was invaluable and getting to share it with three other seminarians from our diocese as well as many other seminarians who were also studying Spanish there was something I will always be grateful for. 

What advice would you give to a young man currently discerning the priesthood?
The whole of the Christian life is the work of grace in our souls. The calling to the priesthood is not based on our own natural abilities, but rather is a supernatural calling that we can in no way merit. An authentic desire for the priesthood is in some way already a work of grace in the soul, the key is telling whether that desire is authentic, and this is the work not of the individual alone, but of the Church. So if any eligible man feels some desire for the priesthood he should take it very seriously and not try to figure it out on his own. Grace works in ways that are mostly unseen to us at the time, so we should trust that, as long as day by day we try to do everything out of love for Jesus, he will guide us. We walk by faith and not by sight, and it is only in walking in trust and love that we will go where God wants us to. So trust in Christ, trust in his Church in aiding in the discernment of his call, and do not let anxiety play any role, because he who as saved us by his blood will lead us where he wants us to go if we trust in him.