Introducing new seminarian

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Kenneth Rey Parsad

Kenneth Rey Parsad, from Abra, Philippines, is a new seminarian for the Diocese of Salt Lake City. He is now attending Mount Angel Seminary in Saint Benedict, Ore. He arrived Aug. 14 and is well into his studies as a third year theology student.  

Parsad’s second name, Rey (which means “king”) is from the feast of Christ the King, the day of his birth. As a child, his family life, at his mother Agnes’ direction, largely revolved around prayer, family and assisting others. His father, Jyoti, initially a Hindu, was baptized into the Catholic faith before his marriage to Agnes. He has one sister, Rhea Therese.  

Parsad had a normal upbringing; he engaged in music and sports and video games. From a young age, he was inclined toward the academic life.  At age 11, he entered the minor seminary. He found priests to be great role models. He later advanced to the University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary (UST-CS) for philosophical and theological studies from 2008 to 2015. He received a Bachelor of Arts in classical philosophy and a Bachelor of Arts in sacred theology.

One of the most significant events in his seminary formation was when he sang the responsorial psalm in the Papal Mass in the Philippines in 2015.  

He decided to step away from the seminary to assist his family. He taught philosophy and theology at the University of Santo Tomas. During this time, he began his STL-MA program courses, with biblical theology as his major. He also worked as a teacher to diocesan volunteer catechists.

Time spent helping his family allowed him time to know himself better and understand his call to be a priest. He believes his story will make more perfect sense by serving the Lord through this vocation.     

He got to know the Diocese of Salt Lake City at the invitation of Fr. Rodelio Ignacio, now administrator of Blessed Sacrament Parish, in 2018. He met Bishop Oscar A. Solis the following year, and applied to be a seminarian for the diocese. Travel restrictions due to Covid delayed his arrival for two years, but this summer he was able to obtain a student visa and now is in Oregon.