-
An Article From The Salem News about My Ordination
Fr Michael Otero-Otero grew up in rural Bryant Pond, ME. In 1991 he completed his bachelor's degree in political science at Salem State College, Salem, MA.After 11 years of “running away” from God by supporting himself with all kinds of jobs and not doing what God had asked of him long ago, Fr Mike finally met his wife, Terri, in 2001 while attending church services at St Francis of Assisi in Peabody, MA. Immediately following Mass, Fr Mike asked the celebrating priest why he was having Mass in a social hall. The priest’s response was that he was part of an “Independent Catholic” Movement and that he was married. This began Fr Mike’s journey to priesthood.
Became a Third Order Professed Franciscan in 1999.
Becoming A Priest
-
Graduated from The St Charles of Brazil Institue of Theology in 2001
-
Became ordained as deacon in The Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches, Diocese of St. Paul, by Bishop Peter W. Riola, in 2003, in Danvers, MA.
-
On August 29th, 2004, ordained a priest within the Catholic Church in America (now known as National Catholic Apostolic Church in the United States), Diocese of Mary, Mother of Hope, by Bishop Michel J Pugin, O,S.B., in Salem, MA.
First Years of Priesthood
-
Celebrated Mass at local nursing homes.
-
Founded St Clare of Assisi Catholic Community in 2004. Initially, St Clare's was in Salem, MA, moved to and have been in Peabody since 2005.
-
In the charism of St Francis, began St Clare of Assisi Annual Pet Blessing in 2006 where locals come from all over to get their beloved pets blessed.
Current Priesthood Vocations
-
In 2009, The St Clare of Assisi Homeless Ministry began establishing and maintaining professional relationships with new and "old" clients in the catchment area of Peabody. We meet clients "where they're at" both geographically (e.g., on a park-bench, at a train station, on the street, etc.) and personally (e.g., intoxicated, or sober). We establish and maintain professional relationships with other service providers, local businesses, and concerned citizens in at least the catchment area. We also connect clients with desired programs through direct referrals such as Residential Assistance for Families in Transition. and North Shore Community Action Programs.
-
Since April of 2016, The Clare Mission has been serving food to the vulnerable population of Peabody every Saturday. We provide brown-bag lunches in conjunction with efforts of Haven from Hunger and other Peabody churches, to ensure that at least one meal each day is available for anyone regardless of resources.
-
Volunteer at Citizens Inn’s Haven From Hunger’s Resource Center twice per month with document assistance- such as MA ID’s, MA Licenses, birth records, Social Security cards, Medicaid, etc. The Resource Center is an emerging space for Citizens Inn Haven from Hunger and will offer many community referral resources with assistance from staff, community partners, local clergy, and trained volunteers.
-
Longtime member and participant of the Peabody Clergy Ministerial Association
-
Attended the Peabody Police Citizens Academy in 2017 and serves on the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC) Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team of the North Shore - serves as a Chaplain on the Peabody Police Department and is a Chaplain Member IACP (International Association of Chiefs of Police).
-
Longtime member and participant with the Peabody Task Force on Homelessness
Personal
-
Married Theresa (Terri) in 2002.
-
Fr Mike and his wife, Terri, are the proud parents of their two children.
Contact
Fr Mike at [email protected]
(978) 804-2250
-
