New rector of downtown cathedral hopes to restore vibrancy to flock after pandemic took a toll

Father Jesús Belmontes is very clear about his goal: He wants to make the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe a sanctuary close to the people, especially to immigrants.

Beginning July 1, he will be the new rector of the Cathedral of Guadalupe, the most important church of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas. Appointed by Bishop Edward J. Burns, Belmontes is replacing father Stephen Bierschenk, who will be the new chaplain of St. Jude Chapel in Dallas.

After immigrating from Mexico to Dallas almost two decades ago, Belmontes will be a central figure in the diocese. He said he plans to continue his work as pastor of immigrants in need, only now from the Cathedral.

For 12 years, Belmontes served as pastor of the San Juan Diego parish, in a Northwest Dallas area near Bachman Lake that has a large Hispanic population.

San Juan Diego has been known as one of the most active Catholic communities of North Texas.

The church regularly hosts events attracting large crowds, and its pastor enjoys credibility among his congregation.

“There are no words to describe the work of Father Jesús and how he has built this community of help and love for the neighbor,” said Margarito “Junior” García, deputy director of the hospitality ministry at San Juan Diego.

“It’s incredible to see how people overflow from the church and stand in the corridors listening to Mass,” García said. “That doesn’t happen in other parishes.”

The immigrant priest

Belmontes, 47, was born in Zamora, Michoacán, a Catholic Church bulwark in Mexico and one of the country’s most conservative regions, where Catholicism plays an important role in families and the community’s social life.

When he was 5 or 6, Belmontes emigrated with his parents and eight siblings to Dallas.

After a short stay, the family decided to separate, because his parents didn’t like the harsh climate of extreme cold and heat.

So they returned to Mexico with their youngest children, with Jesús Belmontes among them. Some of the grown-ups, who were already in their 20s, stayed to work.

At age 10, Belmontes witnessed the ordination of his oldest brother, José Eugenio, who is 15 years older than him.

For Belmontes, it was a turning point — and he decided that he, too, would become a priest when he grew up.

“I was highly captivated by his ordination. I tried to imitate him,” Belmontes said. “I realized God was calling on me to serve him, too.”

From an early age, Belmontes had a desire to return to the U.S. to work as a priest in Dallas, because his family was here.

Even today, six out of his eight siblings live within the diocese’s jurisdiction.

“We used to come after vacation. I became interested in the community’s ways and the need Hispanics had of having someone celebrating Mass and looking after them in their own language,” he said.

“The white priests made a great effort to speak Spanish. But I thought there was a need for someone who spoke it well.”

Jesús Belmontes studied for the priesthood in his native Zamora. When he finished, he arrived in Dallas as a deacon with a limited command of English.

Belmontes was ordained and incorporated into the Dallas Diocese in 2004.

He served in the parishes of St. Edward in Dallas and Immaculate Conception in Grand Prairie, before being named the pastor of San Juan Diego, where he led a crusade to help the area’s most vulnerable immigrants.

Dallas community leaders have recognized Belmontes’ work in helping the Hispanic community.

“Father Jesús is a truly dynamic leader, as well as a pastor who is making a difference in our community,” said Dave Woodyard, president of Catholic Charities of Dallas.

“He is a man always willing to help other people and who is always looking for the good of all,” said Eddie Reyes, leader of the Unidos division of the Dallas Police Department.

“There are no words to describe Father Jesús’ kindness and commitment,” said Josephine López-Paul, organizer of Dallas Area Interfaith.

“It is an honor to work with him in getting food and rent support for people. He has been a key figure for Dallas’ neediest Hispanics during this pandemic.”

A new challenge

Even though he still doesn’t have a detailed plan for what he will do at the Cathedral, Belmontes said he already has some general ideas about the new position he will take on July 1.

“The Cathedral has had a rundown in flock. The pandemic has hit the church overall. We have to bring people back”, Belmontes said.

“My plan is to lift the Cathedral spiritually and financially,” he said. “We can’t give out financial aid because first we have to know in what situation it is. The pandemic affected the church’s finances in every sense.”

Belmontes’ plan is to turn the church into a place of support and solace for the neediest Catholics and continue the social work that he’s been doing at San Juan Diego.

There will be no big staff changes in the Cathedral, he said. Instead, he will work for community commitment and a transformation of consciousness.

“Sometimes we lose the target and we forget that the church is not a corporation, but a family of people looking for God. Some come more damaged than others, and we must be tactful and treat them all with kindness, love and patience.”

Belmontes said he will work first on acceptance of those who will work with him and the new community he will serve, which is more diverse than the one he oversaw in San Juan Diego.

Though somewhat nervous because he said he feels his English is far from perfect, he knows the Cathedral will give him the opportunity to preach to all kinds of people — from corporate executives who attend Mass during their lunch hour to those who live in the streets.

On his appointment, Belmontes said, the bishop told him that his main task will be to revitalize the diocese’s most important church and attract the region’s Hispanic community.

Belmontes said he will favor Catholics’ religious celebrations, including the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe and the Day of the Dead, because they unite people in faith and community spirit.