A young, active, and athletic Recollect, a member of the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno, Father Hernan Canete arrived in Los Angeles January 19, 2008, and immediately took up residence at St. Benedict Parish, Montebello, where he had been assigned as pastoral associate.

Born in Cebu City in 1969, he entered the Order in 1990 after finishing his philosophical studies at Seminario Major-Recoletos, Baguio City. Father was ordained in 1996.  In October of last year, he earned his doctorate in education at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos after successfully defending his dissertation “Training Development Program for Tertiary Level Faculty”.  While studying, Father Hernan had also worked as university property manager.

In his brief time in California he had made giant strides in adapting to a new country, culture, customs, and cuisine.  Father now feels completely at home and at ease in Montebello which is only 1.5 % Filipino. With great frequency he visits the parochial school where he has endeared himself quickly and effortlessly to both faculty and student body.  

The parish has welcomed Father Hernan with great joy, and many members have remarked on how well they enjoy his style of preaching as well as his sermon content.  The parishioners together with the local OAR community wish Father Hernan a long and successful assignment at St. Benedict.

Fr. James McGuire, OAR