Incardination is the formal canonical process by which a Catholic priest is officially attached to a particular diocese. According to Canon Law, incardination and excardination take effect simultaneously upon the issuance of the respective decrees. Sometimes we can have a sense of what God is asking us to do, the path he is calling us to take, but we struggle to do what he is asking. We are tempted to take another path, an easier one. Jesus teaches us to remain faithful rather than allow fear to dictate our decisions. We may encounter opposition, uncertainty, and threats that tempt us to abandon the path God has set before us. Our task is not to control every circumstance but to trust the Father and faithfully fulfill the mission he has entrusted to us. In those times when we have a sense of what God is asking of us, the path he is calling us to take, we too need to say to ourselves and maybe to others, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day.  On June 16, 2015, I came to the Archdiocese of Chicago with the intention of serving for three years at St. Juan Diego Parish in Arlington Heights. Now, 11 years later— following a process of discernment, prayer, and reflection—I have felt the Lord’s call to remain permanently as a member of the clergy of the Archdiocese of Chicago. I am pleased to share that I was incardinated into the Archdiocese of Chicago on Tuesday, October 27, by Cardinal Blase Cupich during Chicago Priest Day at Our Lady of Mercy Parish. It is a blessing for me to be a member of this Archdiocesan family. I am deeply grateful to the Lord, and I also thank all the good and holy people who have crossed my path and enriched my priestly ministry— especially all of you, the parishioners here at this parish. Jesus Eternal High Priest, give us shepherds after Your own heart.
Fr. Alex Garcia.