Noting how Jesus called Peter and told him to "Feed my sheep," Archbishop Weakland called Martí Colom saying: "As Jesus handed that mission to Peter, I now hand it to Martí. Underneath that feeding of Jesus' flock has to be love - love of Jesus Christ because it is his food you are distributing, and love of his sheep, of each other."

Colom, who speaks English, Spanish and Catalán, has been appointed to serve as associate pastor at Prince of Peace/Principe de Paz parish, 1138 S. 25th Street, Milwaukee, beginning June 20.

"I want to contribute to the awareness that the Catholic Church is Universal," Colom said. "We are not only members of a church in Wisconsin or a church in Mexico or Spain. We are all part of one Catholic Church."

Born and raised in Barcleona, Spain, Colom was drawn to priesthood after joining the international Missionary Community of St. Paul the Apostle. The community's purpose is to spread a missionary spirit through humanitarian initiatives. Archbishop Weakland welcomed the community to the archdiocese and the group established a U.S. center in Racine, Wis.

Community members from 11 countries including Spain, Kenya, Colombia, Italy, Ethiopia, Bolivia, Venezuela and England attended the ordination.

Colom celebrated his first Mass on May 21, at St. Mary's parish in Elm Grove, Wis., where he served for one year as a pastoral intern during his Seminary formation.