The ordination of Holy Cross Fathers Paul M. Ybarra and John Britto Antony (a native of India) took place at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, located on the campus of the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. Bishop Daniel R. Jenky of Peoria, himself a Holy Cross priest, was the ordaining prelate.“The international Holy Cross community is blessed to welcome these men who will bring hope and joy to many people through our ministries,” said Holy Cross Father David T. Tyson, Superior for the congregation’s Indiana Province. Father Ybarra was born in Los Angeles and attended West Covina High School before entering the University of Notre Dame in 1998. He earned a B.A. degree in Film, Television, and Theatre in 2002 and a M.Ed. through the Alliance for Catholic Education prior to entering formation with the Congregation of Holy Cross in 2004. While completing his master’s degree at Notre Dame, Father Ybarra taught middle school English and Social Studies at St. John Vianney Catholic School in Goodyear, Ariz. Following a Novitiate year in Colorado Springs, he professed first vows with the Congregation of Holy Cross in July 2006 and returned to Moreau Seminary to continue theology studies at Notre Dame. During his time in formation, he worked with the St. Vincent De Paul Society of St. Joseph County in Indiana, as a chaplain at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs, and served as a member of the staff at Holy Redeemer Church and School in Portland, Oregon. He also participated in the Marriage Prep program at St. Pius X Parish in Granger, Ind., returned to St. John Vianney in Goodyear as a pastoral associate, and completed an internship with the Center for Social Concerns at Notre Dame. Prior to his profession of perpetual vows with the Congregation of Holy Cross and ordination to the diaconate in August 2010, Father Ybarra earned a Master of Divinity degree from Notre Dame. During the past year, he has served as a transitional deacon at St. Ignatius Martyr Church in Austin. Father Ybarra will offer a Mass of Thanksgiving at his home parish of St. Christopher Church in West Covina, on July 3. {gallery width=100 height=100}gallery/2011/0520/sgybarra/{/gallery}