Announces New Rector
Pictured are Fr. Roman Roldan, new Rector of Grace Church, his wife, Chris, and their children, Rebeca Emily, Austin and Sarah.
The congregation of Grace Church of West Feliciana received welcomed news on Christmas Eve. During the Christmas Eve service, Fr. John Senette, Priest-in-charge, announced that a new Rector has been called. Fr. Roman Roldan has been recommended by the Rector Search Committee, approved by the Bishop of Louisiana and called by the Vestry to be the next Rector of Grace Church of West Feliciana. Father Roldan will begin his ministry at Grace on January 16, 2009.
Fr. Roldan and his wife, Chris Anna, have four children, Emily, Rebeca, Austin and Sarah. The Roldans will transition from Davenport, Iowa where Fr. Roldan has served as the Associate Dean of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral for the past eighteen months. While at the Cathedral, he has conducted a full range of services in addition to his preaching, teaching and pastoral duties. As a specialty, he was also assigned the development of programs for children, youth and young families.
Originally from Columbia, South America, Fr. Roldan received a Bachelor’s degree in philosophy at St. John Vianney College Seminary, Miami Florida, a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Rutgers State University and a Master’s Degree in Seminary Studies from Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry. He has additional theological studies at the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium. Prior to entering ordained ministry, he worked as a Clinical Social Worker and the Deputy Operations Officer for Psychotherapeutic Services of Florida, a behavioral health care company.
Susie Tully, Senior Warden of Grace Church Vestry stated,” Fr. Roldan brings gifts of ministry that match very well with the needs of our parish. We welcome Fr. Roldan and his wonderful family to Grace Church and to West Feliciana Parish.
The Grace Rector Search Committee consisted of seven parishioners appointed by the Vestry: Kelly Ward (Chair), Bert Babers, Lisa Horn, Stacy Loyacono, George Newton (Chaplain), Dahn Savell, and Joe Simcoe (Vestry Representative.). The committee began a national search in the months after Fr. Stephen Holmgren announced he would be taking a call to Grace Church in Grand Rapides, Michigan. Following the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana recommended search and vetting process, the committee began their painstaking work which included: performing a detailed survey to assess congregational status and needs; reviewing numerous resumes from various sources; phone interviews; listening to sermons; and visits to perspective candidates of serious consideration. Throughout the process, the committee relied on prayer and the Holy Spirit for guidance.
Here is what the members of the Search Committee had to say about the calling of Father Roldan:
- As gathered from our parishioners, we were asked to look for a rector who was a skilled preacher, teacher and pastor with a commitment to building the church through the development of programming for all age groups with emphasis on youth and young families. Further, we were asked to look for someone who communicates well, lives his faith and calls others to do the same. It was not long into our conversations with Fr. Roldan that we were convinced that he was that person; as we continued in discussions our opinions strengthened that God had put us together.
- Our appreciation of Fr. Roldan's possibility was not influenced just by review of his credentials, but, also, in general juxtaposition to other resumes and interviews and our experience gained there from. His qualifications coincide with our expressed requisites, not only in professional accomplishment, but, also, in familial characteristics. However, his sincere, Christian persona was/is his main attraction. Further, it became obvious that he was not only liturgically sound but biblically oriented as well.
- I had the impression that Father Roldan's life experiences called him to ordained ministry before he himself recognized the same, and I appreciated that it was in some part his experience in the Episcopal Church that helped him discern his calling. I also feel that Father Roldan is very moderate in his theology, in part reflecting on the historic middle ground the Anglican Church has held between Roman Catholicism and the Protestant denominations. In this way I appreciate his understanding of the historic Church as it is represented by Anglican doctrine
- I feel that Father Roldan will be a wonderful Rector for this parish. His sermons are very good and his delivery is very good, also. He has a lot of experience in working with young people, which is one of the top items that our parish requested in a new Rector. He has a very good knowledge of the Bible and brings that knowledge to bear in his relationships with others. Father Roldan's family is a joy to be with. The children are wonderful as is his wife, Chris. I believe he will be a good fit.
- I think Fr.Rolden will meet our needs as a leader in helping us with church growth, especially in the area of attracting young families and building strong programs for our youth. He was a strong contributor in these areas at the Cathedral in Davenport. I also think his family will be a wonderful addition to the Grace Church family.
- I knew right after the interview with Fr. Roldan that he was the rector for Grace. His family values, his knowledge and love of God moved me very much.
- I thought God must have been with us during our phone interview because after we finished talking with Fr. Roldan we kind of all knew that he was the one for Grace... a preacher, a teacher a pastor and he has so much more to offer everyone at Grace.
As we did in the beginning of our Search Process and throughout, we conclude with prayer:
Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with thy most gracious favor, and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy Name, and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, p. 832)
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