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May 25, 2017
Rev. Mr. Michael D. Liliedahl, from St. Dominic Parish, and Rev. Mr. Alvin A. Yu, from Sts. Peter and Paul, will become the newest priests of the archdiocese when they are ordained by Archbishop Cordileone at St. Mary’s Cathedral on June 10. The two graduates of St. Patrick’s Seminary & University responded to questions about their lives and vocations for Catholic San Francisco.
Michael Dana LiliedahlAge: 35
Birthplace: Bunkie, Louisiana
Home parish: St. Dominic
Schools attended: Grade schools were Holy Trinity Catholic School, South St Paul, Minnesota; Gastineau Elementary School and Auke Bay Elementary School in Juneau, Alaska; Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School, Juneau, Alaska. High schools were Juneau-Douglas High School in Juneau, Alaska; Gymnasium an der Willmsstraße in Delmenhorst, Lower Saxony, Germany. Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington, and a master’s in education from Providence College in Providence, Rhode IslandParents: Jody and Marcia Liliedahl
Siblings: Hanni Silacci, husband Jesse Silacci, son Ames; David Liliedahl, wife Michelle Liliedahl, son Wesley, daughter Madeline
What do you most look forward to as a priest?
Making God present and tangible for people through the sacraments
Who most inspired your vocation and why?
Hard to narrow down to a single person as almost every priest I have come across in my life has been some kind of inspiration for me in discerning and accepting my vocation. But perhaps the earliest would be my childhood pastor Father Peter Gorges of the Diocese of Juneau.What do you like to do in your free time?
A lot. I enjoy sports, both playing and watching, reading a good novel, brewing my own beer, and if I have the time, traveling the world.What is one of your favorite Bible passages?
Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for your woe, plans to give you a future and hope.”What is the greatest challenge facing the church today?
Indifference and relativism. The attitude of, “Oh, that’s nice for you,” makes every person their own pope and even their own god and the greatest challenge is turning back to the truth, but doing so charitably.Who is your favorite saint?
St. Pope John Paul II: “Be not afraid”What role did your family play in your vocation?
I know my parents, especially my father, recognized my vocation to the priesthood before I did and did an admirable job of balancing the line between encouraging me but allowing me to discern my vocation without undue pressure.Do you have a favorite contemporary writer or thinker?
Who and why? Do Graham Greene and Evelyn Waugh count as contemporary writers? Their command and use of the English language in their writing only adds to their sacramental vision of the world and their genius with the language combined with their vision of the world makes for some of the best literature that I return to over and over again. As for a contemporary thinker, Walker Percy. Although his novels are excellent, where he really shines is in his essays. His blend of a perfect diagnosis of the modern age, a razor-sharp wit, and hard-fought, deep faith shines through in everything he writes and I can find something new and thought-provoking every time I reread his essays, especially the ones on the faith.What sports do you play and/or enjoy to watch?
The general rule seems to be if it is a sport, I enjoy it. But baseball has always held a special place for me and will remain my No. 1 sport. Before I entered seminary I played in a roller hockey league and I hope to have the chance to begin playing that again.What type of music do you enjoy?
Quite eclectic here. Throughout the day I’ll often have music on in the background while I read or study. It ranges from modern country to classic rock to 80s synthesized pop. One is just as likely to find me listening to Adele, Michael Jackson, Lady Antebellum, Fleetwood Mac, James Taylor, or Mozart.
Alvin YuAge: 27
Birthplace: San Francisco
Home parish: Sts. Peter and Paul
Schools attended: Sts. Peter and Paul, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory; Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and religion, San Francisco State UniversityParents: Wing Tim Yu (deceased), Teresa Yu
Siblings: Edgar Yu
What do you most look forward to as a priest?
I look forward to celebrating the holy sacrifice of the Mass, administering the sacraments, offering spiritual direction, and meeting and getting to know the people at the parish.Who most inspired your vocation and why?
The Salesian priests at my home parish were a big inspiration for me. They were very dedicated in their ministry, and would make regular visits to the school to teach us catechism and to play with us in the schoolyard. I was also inspired by my great-uncle, now deceased, who was a priest, and the many priests who I have come to know throughout the years.What do you like to do in your free time?
I like to play sports and exercise.What are one of your favorite Bible passages?
Galatians 2:20. “ … yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me.”What is the greatest challenge facing the church today?
Evangelizing in a relativistic and secular culture.Who is your favorite saint?
St. John BoscoWhat role did your family play in your vocation?
My family and I went to Mass together on Sundays and holy days. My grandmother also taught me how to pray at a young age and also taught me basic catechism when I was growing up.What sports do you play and/or enjoy to watch?
Baseball, basketball, football, soccerWhat type of music do you enjoy?
Popular music, Gregorian chant, sacred polyphony