EL CENTRO — July is the traditional time priests are assigned to new parishes. This summer, 25 priests in the Imperial Valley have been moved, 75% of the total serving in that region. The arrivals and departures are rippling across the small-town communities they serve.
The Imperial Valley’s largest parish, Our Lady of the Valley (OLOV) in El Centro, welcomed Msgr. Francisco “Jun” Cinco III as its parish administrator. The parish’s pastor, Father Mark Edney, began a one-year sabbatical. Father Pedro Lucia Reyes moved in as associate pastor as Father Ed Horning moved to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in his hometown of Lakeside. The parish also eagerly awaits the return of its second associate pastor, Father Kizito Uzoma Ndugbu, from Africa.
Msgr. Cinco comes to the Imperial Valley from St. Michael Catholic Church, in the Paradise Hills neighborhood of San Diego, after having served there for six years. The Southern Cross invited him to share a bit about himself and his service.
Question: Can you tell us about yourself?
Answer: I was born on March 7 and grew up in the Philippines. I studied from elementary until university in the Philippines. After a year of practice in my clinical profession (as an optometrist), I entered the seminary until I was ordained a priest.
Where did you learn the faith?
I am the fifth of seven children of my parents, Francisco II and Adelaida Honrade-Cinco. I started serving in the church when I was 7 years old as an altar server, and I later became a choir member and a lector.
Our family house is just in front of the church (in our hometown) and the public and the Catholic schools. I am so blessed being brought up by my parents, who are active in the church with the gift of faith.
I loved serving in the church, but (growing up) I never dreamed of becoming a priest. What was in my mind was to become a doctor. I later graduated as a Doctor of Optometry and practiced for a year as a licensed optometrist, then as a hired practitioner.
When did you hear the call to become a priest?
One summer, I went home to my province supposedly to (open) my own clinic. It was then that the pastor of our parish kept pushing me to enter the seminary, but I resisted until he told me to just try seminary life. He said, “God will be with you and, if it is not meant for you, then you can go out anytime.”
Out of obedience, I entered the seminary, and it was there that I forgot my plan to practice my career and to have my own clinic. Despite the different lifestyle than when I was studying at the university, I absolutely enjoyed my seminary life. The main thing I remember from that time can be summed up as “No regret” and “No time wasted,” despite life adjustments.
How long did it take you to become a priest? What was that journey like?
It took me six years of Philosophy and Theology, despite my late vocation. I was ordained a priest on April 8, 1992, at the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul, Calbayog City, Samar, Philippines.
After 25 years in the pastoral ministry in the Diocese of Calbayog, I came to the Diocese of San Diego in December 2019. From Jan. 1 to June 30, 2020, I was assigned as administrator of Our Lady of Angels Parish in San Diego. And from July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2026, I was an associate pastor of St. Michael Parish in San Diego. Now, starting July 1, I have started a new journey of pastoral ministry at Our Lady of the Valley Parish.
What is your message as you begin this new assignment?
I humbly ask the parishioners and the people of God, as your new parish administrator, to let us continue our journey together as disciples of Jesus Christ. Let us build a vibrant community centered on the Holy Eucharist, nourished by God’s Word, strengthened through the sacraments, and inspired to serve one another with compassion and generosity. As your parish administrator, I come not only to lead, but also to listen, to learn from you, and to work alongside you.
I told the parishioners here on my first weekend celebrating Masses, “Thank you so much for the warm welcome, both inside the building and outside of the building.” Everyone laughed.
I encourage everyone to continue sharing your gifts and talents for the growth of our parish and for the glory of God Almighty. May God bless you all.
What experiences, if any, stand out to you in your years of service as a priest?
All I can say is I feel joy, the joy inside my heart I have as a priest. I know it’s a big sacrifice, but joy is what I know is in my heart, and I have no regrets. It is wonderful.
I am happy here. I love the place here in El Centro, and I’ll serve wherever God asks me to serve, for as long as he asks me to serve.
