Father Mike Garcia is the new Liaison to the Catholic Charismatic Center and the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.
He is the pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Peña Blanca, NM.
Fr. Michael is from Albuquerque and grew up in the Barelas neighborhood. He was born September 11, 1968, and is one of five children. His parents are Victor and Mary A. Garcia, now deceased. Michael graduated from Albuquerque High School in May of 1986 and that Summer he enlisted in the United States Navy. He was stationed at Pearl Harbor aboard the USS Badger FF-1071 and served from 1986-1990. When Michael left the Navy, he returned home to care for his grandmother, Rose S. Lucero until she died in January of 2007 after struggling with dementia.
Michael was a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Barelas where he was involved in many ministries. He also worked in the computer tech support industry for about eight years, as well as for a non-profit organization. In the Summer of 2010, he met with Fr. Michael DePalma, Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. Fr. DePalma encouraged him to enter the seminary. So, he entered seminary formation in the Fall of 2010 at Holy Apostles College & Seminary in Cromwell, CT where he graduated with a degree in theology.
Fr. Michael was ordained to the priesthood with six other men on May 23, 2015, at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi by Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan. Fr. Michael formerly served as Associate Pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish which is the Newman Center for the University of New Mexico. He has been the Pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe and her Missions since November 28, 2016.
"Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sinning. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:14–16)