Priest receives award from Mexican Federation

Friday, Aug. 26, 2016

SALT LAKE CITY — The United Mexican Federation in Utah (Federación de Mexicanos Unidos en Utah) awarded Father Omar Ontiveros, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Ogden, with a Tonahuac recognition as part of their annual Tonahuac Awards celebrations.

“Fr. Ontiveros represented all the Catholic priests in Utah who are working towards the immigrant community,” said Salvador Lazalde, FMUU president.

FMUU is a nonprofit organization that promotes the welfare of the immigrant community, individuals and their families through the development of their abilities in Utah and in their hometowns.

The FMUU is represented by clubs from all of the states in  the Mexican Republic. It also has members from countries such as Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Panama, and Ecuador, among others.

“This is the only federation in the United States that represents all Mexico,” said Lazalde.

The Tonahuac awards are presented to people or organizations that make a difference in the United States.

“They are people [organizations] that are working toward the wellbeing of the immigrant Hispanic community,” said Teresa Vázquez, FMUU secretary.

Fr. Ontiveros was nominated for the recognition last year and votes were cast for him this year.

“The community knows him very well, and this year decided that he was the best representative for the religious Tonahuac Award,” said Lazalde.

Fr. Ontiveros has an active Spanish media presence, with shows on both radio and television.

Since 2012 the Tonahuac recognitions have been awarded annually in three  categories: Religious, Humanitarian and Education.

Fr. Ontiveros said he feels very honored and thankful for the award because it was not just for him, it was for all the Catholic priests in Utah.

“This was a recognition of the Catholic presence that all we priests have for the service of the community,” said Fr. Ontiveros.

Hoping that this recognition will encourage all the Catholic priests to keep on working, Fr. Ontiveros acknowledged the importance of serving the community.

“We have to keep on working hard and serving as much as we can, and as best as we can, our communities,” said Fr. Ontiveros.

The Tonahuac award plaque is a tree with two people on the side and with books under it.

Lazalde said that the tree symbolizes everyone who works toward a better future for the communities here in the United States and in their hometowns. The two persons are the people waiting for the fruits of the labor.

“Fr. Ontiveros is a person who is working and helping the community and at the same time loading them with energy to keep on going,” said Lazalde.

In 2013 Archbishop John C. Wester, ninth Bishop of Salt Lake City, received the award.