Augustinian Father Gregory Heidenblut was ordained at Our Mother of Good Counsel Church in Los Angeles Nov. 13 by Bishop John McNabb, an Augustinian priest and the bishop emeritus of Chulucanas, Peru.

A native of Los Angeles, Father Heidenblut was born Aug. 27, 1950. Following high school he joined the seminary program of the Verona Fathers, but left after deciding he "wasn't mature enough" to make the commitment to religious life. He worked as head of budget management for the Department of Beaches and Harbors in Los Angeles for 16 years and then relocated to San Diego as regional financial controller for MeriStar Hotel and resorts. He met the Augustinians at St. Patrick Church in San Diego, where he cantored for 10 years.

During he pre-novitiate year he earned an M.B.A. in business administration. Professing Simple Vows in 2001, he studied theology at Washington Theological Union while doing supervised ministry at St. Mark Church in Alexandria, Va. He completed an internship program last summer at St. Ignatius Church in San Francisco.

Following ordination, Father Heidenblut began his ministry at Our Mother of Good Counsel Church.