Bayou Catholic Magazine July 2022

Father Carlos Talavera celebrates his 25th anniversary of priesthood Grandparents were very influential in his decision to become a priest Story by Janet Marcel ~ Photo by Lawrence Chatagnier Father Carlos Talavera, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Church parish in Bayou Black since July 2018, recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. The Iriga City, Philippines, native was ordained May 31, 1997, by Bishop Emeritus Michael Jarrell at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma.

Since being ordained, he has served as associate pastor at St. Genevieve, Christ the Redeemer and St. John the Evangelist Church parishes in Thibodaux, and St. Hilary of Poitiers Church parish in Mathews; and as pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Church parish in the St. Charles Community, Holy Savior Church parish in Lockport, St. Louis Church parish in Bayou Blue, and Our Lady of the Isle Church parish in Grand Isle.

Father Talavera says his grandparents were very influential in his decision to become a priest. “They prayed the rosary, went to Mass every day and taught me the basic principles of my faith.”

His grandparents lived close to them and he and his brothers would go to their house after school to wait for their parents, who were always busy running various businesses, to pick them up.

“My grandparents had a big chalkboard at their house. My grandmother would write the Apostle’s Creed and other prayers, and we would stand in front of the chalkboard and memorize them that way. We also used to tag along when they went to prayer meetings, rosary groups, charismatic gatherings, etc. But, I never really thought about becoming a priest at that time. I had heard that my father went to the seminary, but I never asked him about it, because he met my mother and that was it,” says the priest.

If he hadn’t become a priest, Father Talavera says there were many different things he thought about doing when he was growing up. He thought about being a doctor, where he could help a lot of people take care of their health. He also thought of becoming a pilot where he could travel to and see many different places around the world. And, all of his uncles served in the military, so that was also something he considered.