Father Domingo Cruz celebrates 50 years

“A gift given by God,” is how Father Domingo (Ding) Cruz describes his 50 years of priesthood.

Growing up in the Philippines, he was influenced by his great uncle, whom he called “Lolo” which means grandfather. He was a priest and provided him a home and afforded him the opportunity to finish high school since his parents did not have the means to do so.

As a fifth grader, Father Cruz went to live and work at the rectory with his great uncle and nine boys, most of them his cousins. Three of Father Cruz’s first cousins would also go on to become priests. 

While living at the rectory, Father Cruz was responsible for many assignments, “ringing the bell, being a sacristan, serving as altar boy, gardening, cleaning the church, and taking care of the pigs, pigeons and chickens.”

Even at a young age, he was no stranger to work. He recalls working various jobs at the age of six or seven. “I was living with the owners of a fishpond and selling (snacks of various kinds). I also sold comic books, newspapers and magazines.” In addition, he was a go-fer and a job he refers to as “conductor,” making calls for local transportation in the area where he lived.

Father Cruz finished high school at the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary High School and graduated from San Carlos Seminary in the Philippines. He was ordained a priest on Dec. 1, 1973.

It was in March 1990 that Father Cruz came to the United States as part of an exchange program. The late Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux incardinated him into the diocese at his request. He remembers Bishop Boudreaux as a kind man.

His first assignment in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux was as associate pastor of St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux. He also served as associate pastor at St. Louis in Bayou Blue, St. Bernadette in Houma and became chaplain for Chabert Medical Center and Terrebonne General Medical Center, both in Houma, while helping at St. Gregory Barbarigo Church in Houma.

He then served as associate pastor at Holy Savior in Lockport before becoming pastor of St. Lawrence the Martyr in Kraemer from 1995-2005. He served as pastor of St. Bridget in Schriever from 2005-2016 and then went on to begin his retirement at Our Lady of the Rosary in Larose where he resides today.

Being a pastor has been a highlight of his priesthood, he says.

Father Cruz retired at age 71 in 2017. He stays busy “substituting” for priests in Larose and other church parishes when needed.

Reflecting on the changes he’s encountered over the years as priest, he first points out technology.

“It isn’t the end. It is an instrument to use and that has become our responsibility to use it in the right way.”

Father Cruz is open to using technology and seeks help when he doesn’t understand something. “If you stop (using technology), you will lose it,” he says.

When reflecting on the changes in the world today, he says, “We should dwell more on the young,” he says because they are “not just the future; they are the now.”