From Disneyland to the Altar: A Priest's Unlikely Path to Ordination – Dan Russo – 07/07/2026

A Winding Road to the Priesthood Catholic Messenger editor Dan Russo joins Bo Bonner to share the story of Father Alfonso Pizano Jr., who was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Davenport on June 6 at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Ordained at age 47, Pizano is a native of Bell Gardens, California, and a self-described "late bloomer" whose path to the altar wound through teaching, the Jesuits, and years of discernment before he found his home in the Davenport Diocese. From Disneyland to Discernment Russo describes how Pizano worked in retail at Disneyland before becoming a high school teacher, then studied with the Jesuits at Loyola Marymount University before eventually discerning a call to diocesan priesthood with the Priests of the Sacred Heart in Hales Corners, Wisconsin — where he first met seminarians from the Davenport Diocese. A Community United Russo reflects on how Pizano's ordination Mass brought together family from California, lifelong friends (including former Disneyland coworkers Gabriel and Kelly Kunz Rivas), seminarians, and priests from across the diocese — and on Bishop Dennis Walsh's homily about being sent as a laborer into a broken but beloved world. Read More Dan Russo's full article, "Father Pizano Ordained: California Native Completes 'Long Journey' to Vocation," is available at CatholicMessenger.net, where readers can also sign up for subscriptions and find the paper on Facebook and Instagram. Logistics Ordination Date: June 6, 2026 Location: Sacred Heart Cathedral, Davenport New Assignment Effective July 1: Diocese of Davenport Listen to new episodes of The Catholic Morning Show weekdays at 7 a.m. Central at IowaCatholicRadio.com or on the Iowa Catholic Radio app. #FatherPizano #DioceseOfDavenport #CatholicPriestOrdination #CatholicVocations #CatholicMessenger #CatholicMorningShow #IowaCatholicRadio #CatholicFaith Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm. ENJOYING THE SHOW? Follow The Catholic Morning Show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss an episode — and if this one was worth your time, please leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating. It takes ten seconds and it's the single best way to help more people find the show. 🎧 LISTEN LIVE Catch The Catholic Morning Show live, weekday mornings on Iowa Catholic Radio. Listen Live · Program Schedule · Our Stations LINKSYou can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok! More on our website.If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! More from Iowa Catholic Radio:Sunday Dive with Katie PatrizioMan Up! with Joe StopulosCatholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie NelsonThe Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud MarrBe Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce RiebeBe Not Afraid en Español con el P. Fabián MoncadaMaking it Personal with Bishop William JoensenFaith and Family Finance with Gregory WaddleThe Great Men of the Bible with Joe Stopulos Liturgy & DevotionsThe Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick SmithThe Daily Mass from St. Francis of AssisiThe Daily Mass from St. Pius XThe Daily Mass from St. TheresaSunday Mass from the Basilica of Saint JohnWant to support your favorite show? Click Here Iowa Catholic Radio - Connecting People to Christ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.