Fr. Javier Nieva, DCJM
Parish Administrator
Fr. Javier was born in Madrid, Spain to Javier and Pilar on July 9th, 1974. The youngest of three, and the only boy, he also has five nieces and nephews and 6 grandnieces and nephews. He entered (age 18) in the Religious Institute of the Disciples of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary in September 1992. He pursued his studies of Philosophy and Theology in the School of Theology in Northern Spain located in Burgos from 1992 to 1998, with a break for the Novitiate the years 1993 – 1994, and completed his Bachelor of Sacred Theology at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome, Italy, in 1999. The years 1999 – 2001 he studied History of the Church at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome where he obtained his Licentiate of Sacred Theology with a Thesis on Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val and Modernism. He took his final religious vows on January 1st, 2000 and was ordained to the priesthood on January 8th of the same year.
From 2001 to 2007 he exercised his ministry in Madrid, Spain through different apostolates: religion teacher in High School, preaching Spiritual Exercises, pastoral work with family and youth groups, parochial vicar at Santa Maria de Caná, Madrid (2004 – 2005) and collaborator at the same parish (2005 – 2007), and theology teacher at the Seminary of Castellón, Spain (2006 – 2007) among other ministries.
On July 2007 he was appointed parochial vicar at St. Mary Catholic Parish in Littleton, CO in the Archdiocese of Denver. The years 2013 – 2014 he served as parochial vicar at Queen of Apostles parish in Alexandria, VA in the Diocese of Arlington. From 2014 to 2020 he was pastor back at St. Mary Parish in Littleton where he also served as Parish Administrator for the year 2020 – 2021. Since 2021 he has served again as parochial vicar at St. Mary. He became American citizen on June 11th 2015.
On September 25th 2023 he was appointed by Bishop Frank Caggiano Parish Administrator at St. Leo Parish starting on November 1st 2023.
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Fr. Tomás Sastre, DCJM
Parochial Vicar
Fr. Tomás was born in Madrid, Spain to Fernando and Gloria on May 2nd, 1993. The fourth of five, two girls and three boys. One of his sisters is a Poor Clair in the Santo Domingo Convent of Soria, Spain. His youngest brother will get married in May 2024. He entered (age 21) in the Religious Institute of the Disciples of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary in August 2014. In addition to his Philosophy and Theology studies, he got an Industrial Engineer Degree in the UPM, Madrid. He took his final religious vows on December 19, 2021, and was ordained to the priesthood on December 20th, 2022.
From July 2022 he exercised his ministry in Stamford (CT), first as a deacon, and later as a priest. He is working at Mater Salvatoris School, in Stamford (CT), serving there as chaplain, coordinator, and teacher.
He has extensive experience working with children and youth.
On September 25th, 2023 he was appointed by Bishop Frank Caggiano Parochial Vicar at St. Leo Parish starting on November 1st 2023.
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Fr. Luis is the third person from the right.
Fr. Luis Granados, DCJM
In Residence
Fr. Luis Granados was born in Madrid, Spain, where he grew up. He is the fifth of seven children. Since 1996 he is a member of the Disciples of the hearts of Jesus and Mary. He holds a Doctorate in Moral Theology from the St. John Paul II Pontifical Institute on Studies for Marriage and Family, Rome, Italy. He also holds a BA/MA in Pharmacy through the University of San Pablo – CEU, Madrid, Spain.
He studied Philosophy and Theology at the Ecclesiastical University of St. Damasus, in Madrid, completing his Bachelor in Sacred Theology. He made his final vows as a religious in 2003, and was ordained a priest of the Catholic Church in Madrid in 2005. He spent his first years as a priest in Madrid, at the House of Formation of the Disciples and as Chaplain of the Association of Families of Bethany.
From 2013 to 2022 he lived in Denver at St. Mary Catholic Parish in Littleton, CO (Archdiocese of Denver). There he served as parochial vicar and school chaplain, and was involved in Family and Youth ministry. During those years he taught Dogmatic and Moral Theology at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, in Denver. In 2015 he received the Cardinal Stafford Chair on Moral Theology and in 2018 he was appointed Academic Dean of the Seminary.
He is currently a member of the Scientific Counsel of the Veritas Amoris Project, and a Faculty fellow at Franciscan University of Steubenville, OH.
Since 2021 he is the Boys Division Director at Mater Salvatoris College Preparatory School, in Stamford, CT. He also serves as Chaplain and teaches Religion, Sacred Music, and Spanish. Fr. Luis enjoys reading, writing, singing, playing the guitar, and practicing sports. He will be in residence at St. Leo Catholic Parish, helping at the parish, especially during the weekends.
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Br. Leonardo Bastidas, DCJM
In Residence
Br. Leonardo was born in Caracas, Venezuela, the son of Gonzalo and Claudia, on January 23, 1995. He is the oldest of three brothers. After finishing his degree in Social Communication, he entered (23 years old) the Religious Institute of the Disciples of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary in August 2018. Since that year he has been studying at the University of San Damaso (Madrid, Spain) and is still in the process of formation to become a priest. On June 12, 2021, Br. Leonardo professed his first temporary vows in the Disciples of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
After completing his studies in philosophy, Br. Leonardo was sent on a mission to Stamford, Connecticut to work at Mater Salvatoris College teaching religion, Spanish, and drama and to learn the virtues of work.
Brother Leonardo will return to his studies this year to complete his formation and be ordained a priest.