Father Clarence “Charlie” Zamora, 63, was born in Albuquerque, N.M., and raised in Albuquerque and Los Angeles. He has three older siblings and got the nickname Charlie from a younger cousin who couldn’t pronounce Clarence. Zamora transferred to the University of Hawaii his sophomore year of college and finished his undergraduate degree there. He then spent the next thirty years teaching in Hawaii public schools. Instead of just retiring, Zamora discerned a second vocation to the priesthood. He initially studied to be a priest for the Diocese of Honolulu before switching to the Diocese of Oakland and being ordained in San Leandro, Calif., in 2005. He served at two parishes in California and has also worked at St. Michael in Kailua-Kona, Sacred Heart, Punahou, and St. Joseph, Hilo. On Feb. 1, Father Zamora became the associate pastor at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Pearl City. He threw in some bonus questions for this column.
1. Can you name a challenge you faced as a priest and how you dealt with it?
Being the chaplain at John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek, especially dealing with trauma cases. I focused not so much on the victim but more on being present for the family. How much it would mean to me to have a priest present, praying for my loved one and my family? It was about giving comfort to the living.
2. What is your favorite Bible passage?
Luke 12:27-28: “Notice how the flowers grow. They do not toil or spin. But I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass in the field that grows today and is thrown in the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of so little faith.” It speaks to of letting go, and truly putting our faith in God and trusting only in him.
3. Who are some of your favorite people?
My hero is my mother, Theodora Zamora. Someone who always makes me laugh is one of my best friends, Antonio Garcia. My favorite saint has to be Father Damien because of his determination in all things. And I’ve always wanted to meet Meryl Streep.
4. What’s your favorite TV show?
“Touched by an Angel.” It was amazing that secular television broadcast such a program and that it became a hit. It was a show about God being present in our lives, a God who cares and loves his creation and will never abandon us.
5. Do you have any hobbies or hidden talents?
I like to bake bread and I enjoy discovering new places in Hawaii.
6. What are you reading?
Three books right now: “My Best Teachers were Saints: What Every Educator Can Learn from the Heroes of the Church,” by Susan Hendricks; “Lord Have Mercy: The Healing Power of Confession” by Scott Hahn, and “The Number 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” by Alexander McCall Smith. I’m enjoying each of them. And Henri Nouwen is my favorite author.
7. What music do you like?
Hawaiian, rock ’n’ roll, blues, jazz and classical, but no rap or Jawaiian.
8. Any favorite foods?
Italian food is the best – the taste, complexities, texture. It’s good family food.
9. Which person have you admired most in your life and why?
Walt Disney because of his talent, his skill in succeeding in a difficult industry, his love of children, and the moral quality of his films.
10. What is the biggest challenge facing the Catholic Church today?
Relativism among the faithful.
11. Do you root for any sports teams?
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish. It’s a university dedicated to Our Lady and allegedly a Catholic school. Kidding! And I like the Los Angeles Dodgers.
12. What is your favorite movie?
“It’s A Wonderful Life.” Rumor has it that I am named after the angel Clarence. Maybe I’ll get my wings.