• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
Deacon Franz Belleza, a native of the Philippines and the eldest of three, said his mother wanted a name for him that included an F and Z, so, she chose accordingly. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

Deacon Franz Belleza eager to stride into role of ‘leading the flock’

June 18, 2024
By Gerry Jackson
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Feature, Local News, New Priests 2024, News, Vocations

Share
Share on Facebook
Share
Share this
Pin
Pin this
Share
Share on LinkedIn

Note: Archbishop William E. Lori will ordain six men to the priesthood June 22 at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland. The following is a profile of one of those future priests. New profiles of the other new priests will be added to the Catholic Review site daily from June 16 to June 21. Click here to read them.

Deacon Franz Josef Basalo Belleza enjoys a leisurely stroll or jog during his downtime, but he says his journey to the priesthood has been “no walk in the park.”

Now that he is near the finish line of his formation, the 32-year-old is excited to share his passion for preaching and the sacraments with the faithful of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

A native of Cebu City in the Philippines, Deacon Belleza is completing his studies at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg and his pastoral work at St. Joseph in Cockeysville.

Deacon Franz Josef Basalo Belleza lights a candle at St. Joseph Church in Cockeysville’s rededication Mass March 21, 2024. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

“I look forward to leading the flock that will be entrusted to me,” said Deacon Belleza who first arrived in the United States in 2010.

Deacon Belleza said his greatest vocational passions are preaching and ministering to families preparing for baptisms and funerals, and couples preparing for weddings. He said he also cherishes participating at Mass and the sacraments.

“I know God is calling me,” said Deacon Belleza, who said he made the decision to take the path to priesthood in 2012 when he was a 20-year-old. “My heart is at peace. It’s been a long journey, no walk in the park. God is calling me to be of service to him.

“The most rewarding part is that I believe God is using me to be an instrument to lead his people closer to the Lord. It’s a gift and a privilege to be able to celebrate the sacraments. It’s priceless.”

Deacon Belleza said his family played a pivotal role in his discernment. His father, Tereso Belleza, is a retired mechanical engineer and his mother, Luz, is a biology teacher in Nevada. His brother Ralph Josef is an assistant restaurant manager in Baltimore and brother Edcell Josef is an area manager in Nevada.

He said growing up that the family always worshiped at Mass on Sundays together, attended weekly prayer meetings and prayed the rosary nightly. He also attended Catholic schools.

“I grew up in a typical Catholic family,” he said. “Prayer was always at the center of our lives.”

He said Filipino priests Father Pete Literal, Father Jose “Jojo” Opalda and Father Jan Jumamoy have been a few of his greatest vocational influences. 

He also said he is grateful for the guidance from the pastors at his pastoral assignments – St. Joseph, Cockeysville; St. Mary of the Assumption, Govans, and St. Pius X, Rodgers Forge; St. John the Evangelist, Frederick, and St. Joseph-on-Carrollton Manor, Buckeystown; St. Martin’s Home for the Aged, Catonsville; and  St. Mary’s University Campus Ministry.

Deacon Belleza returned to his native Philippines for missionary work and studied at Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepción, Cebu; University of San Carlos, CebuMater Redemptoris College, Laguna, Philippines; St. Peter’s College Seminary, Laguna; and St. Monica Institute of Religious Studies, Cebu. 

He said he received his calling to the priesthood while praying at St. Peter’s Seminary and reading Joshua 1:9 (“Be strong and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go.”)

In 2020, he returned to Maryland to be a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. He is completing his theological seminary work at Mount St. Mary’s.

 “It’s been so great to be surrounded by men with the same perspective and dedication,” he said of his studies in Emmitsburg.

“I’m really looking forward to working as an associate pastor after ordination,” said Deacon Belleza, who enjoys watching true-crime dramas and action movies.

A member of the Oblate Apostles of the Two Hearts in Dover, Del., for several years before studying for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, he said he has a special devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. 

Email Gerry Jackson at gjackson@CatholicReview.org

Read More Local News

Archbishop Lori announces clergy appointments, including pastor and associate pastors

DUAL ENROLLMENT

Double the learning: Dual enrollment provides college credit to high school students

St. Mary’s purchases former Annapolis Area Christian School

Radio Interview: Exploring the Nicene Creed – Part Two

St. Clement Mary Hofbauer adapts to times, cultures as it celebrates 100th anniversary

Archbishop Lori and Supreme Knight Kelly meet with Pope Leo

Copyright © 2024 Catholic Review Media

Print Print

Share
Share on Facebook
Share
Share this
Pin
Pin this
Share
Share on LinkedIn

Primary Sidebar

Gerry Jackson

Click here to view all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

| MOST POPULAR |

  • 3 North Americans named to Vatican dicasteries for ecumenism, interreligious dialogue

  • Archbishop Lori announces clergy appointments, including pastor and associate pastors

  • St. Mary’s purchases former Annapolis Area Christian School

  • St. Clement Mary Hofbauer adapts to times, cultures as it celebrates 100th anniversary

  • Augustinian prior opens up about papal vacation, first encyclical, appointments and tennis

| Latest Local News |

Archbishop Lori announces clergy appointments, including pastor and associate pastors

DUAL ENROLLMENT

Double the learning: Dual enrollment provides college credit to high school students

St. Mary’s purchases former Annapolis Area Christian School

Radio Interview: Exploring the Nicene Creed – Part Two

St. Clement Mary Hofbauer adapts to times, cultures as it celebrates 100th anniversary

| Latest World News |

Judge blocks Trump birthright citizenship order as part of class action lawsuit

Ukraine religious leaders issue ‘desperate cry’ to world to end Russia’s war

care of creation

Pope Leo wears Chicago-made vestments to July 9 ‘care of creation’ Mass

sorry baby

Movie Review: Sorry, Baby

ICE

ICE deports Iowa parishioner to Guatemala homeland as supporters pray for his release

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Movie Review: Superman
  • Judge blocks Trump birthright citizenship order as part of class action lawsuit
  • Ukraine religious leaders issue ‘desperate cry’ to world to end Russia’s war
  • Pope Leo wears Chicago-made vestments to July 9 ‘care of creation’ Mass
  • Movie Review: Sorry, Baby
  • ICE deports Iowa parishioner to Guatemala homeland as supporters pray for his release
  • Come away and rest awhile
  • French woman hopes sharing mystical encounter with Minnesota Benedictine helps sainthood cause
  • Pope: Vatican still ready to host peace talks between Russia, Ukraine

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2025 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

en Englishes Spanish
en en