In August, 1988, he was accepted as a postulant and entered Saint Cecilia Friary, Rochester, PA. Part of the postulancy program was to slowly integrate a man into the Capuchin life, so he was able to remain employed at Holy Family Institute as a postulant while living with the friars. Then in July, 1989 he applied for the Capuchin Novitiate. He entered the St. Conrad Friary Novitiate with seven other men. He completed his novitiate year and professed first vows on July, 14, 1990. After novitiate he was sent to Capuchin College, Washington, DC for Initial Priestly Formation.
While in Washington, DC he lived in the house of formation. He attended the Washington Theological Union and graduated In May, 1995 with a Master of Divinity Degree. While in Washington his ministries included: parish and elementary school work at Saint Anthony and St. Francis de Sales Parishes. He also put his social work skills to work at Dwelling Place, a shelter for Abused Elderly in south-east Washington. He had summer assignments in our Capuchin ministries at St. Paul Shrine, Cleveland, OH; St. Joseph Parish, York, PA; St. Joseph Parish, Cabot, PA and Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Pittsburgh, PA.
He professed final vows as a Capuchin Friar in August, 1993 and was ordained a deacon in September, 1996. He was assigned by his provincial to the Shrine of the Sacred Heart, Washington, DC. He was parochial vicar at Sacred Heart Parish caring for the English speaking African American members of the parish. He assisted in developing the parish council and various ministries of the parish. He ministered at Shrine of the Sacred Heart until August, 2004. The summer of 2004 he was asked by his provincial to accept the role of pastor at Saint Ambrose Parish, Baltimore, MD. On August 9, 2004 he moved to Saint Ambrose Friary and on August 15th, Feast of the Assumption, he offered his first mass in the parish.
Since 2004 he has been pastor of Saint Ambrose Parish. He continues to build up the parish community and strengthen its liturgical and prayer life.
He enjoys gardening, swimming, travelling and taking long walks. He is responsible for his pet parrot, Suzy.
Contact me at pastor@saintambrose.com
Deacon Rubio began his professional career as a registered nurse and he obtained a Master's Degree in Health Care Administration from the University of Maryland. Throughout his professional career he has held various senior leadership positions and currently works at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. As a health care professional he has always believed in the importance of faith in helping those who are sick and injured become whole once again.
Deacon Rubio was ordained in 2007 by Cardinal William Keeler. His first diaconal assignment was at St. Matthew, and he currently assigned to the parishes of St Ambrose, and St. Gregory the Great. He has been on the Archdiocesan Board of African American Ministries, the Archdiocesan Deacon Placement Committee, the Daniel Ruud Scholarship Review Board, and the Cardinal Shehan School Board.
Deacon Rubio has been a writer for the Catholic Review, a facilitator of an annual “Men of Faith” retreat, has been a revivalist or Homilist at St. Bernardine’s, New All Saints, St. Cecelia’s, St Edward’s and Blessed Sacrament Catholic Churches.
Deacon Rubio has been married for over 30 years to his wife Michelle. They have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
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