Southwest Kansas is a long, long way from where Father Bernardito Felix was reared "100 feet from the shore," where he would go deep sea net fishing with his grandpa, and where he and friends sneaked off at night to go swimming.

But if he had to be sent so far away from home, then there’s no place else the Filipino priest would rather be than the Diocese of Dodge City. Of the three priests from Father Felix’s diocese in the Philippines serving in the United States, two now reside in Kinsley, and the other in San Antonio, Texas.

Until he was assigned as administrator of Sacred Heart Parish in Larned and St. Bernard Parish in Belpre Feb. 23, Father Felix resided with Father Nicanor Ferangco, pastor of St. Nicholas Parish and a friend from his seminary days back home.

Looking at least 10 years younger than his 41 years, Father Felix comes here upon an agreement started by former Dodge City Bishop Stanley Schlarman with the Diocese of Boac in the Philippines. The Filipino diocese will provide priests to serve here, while the Diocese of Dodge City provides help with funding to support their vocations program.

Father Felix’s assignment is for a three-year stay. Father Ferangco was obviously ecstatic at the arrival of his old friend.

"I’m so happy," said Father Ferangco, who extended his stay here to six years after having to undergo heart bypass surgery. He will begin a third three-year assignment starting Sept. 18.

Although the two never met prior to seminary, their hometowns were only 10 miles apart. Once ordained, priests in the Philippines diocese are able to visit each other much more often than do priests here, largely because there are much shorter distances between parishes – on average, three miles.

There are also more priests to serve a smaller area. In the Diocese of Boac, there are 26 priests serving 14 parishes. And five more priests will be ordained later this year.

When asked his hobbies, Father Felix mentioned swimming and volleyball, and he commented that he loves a good game of Ping-Pong, which he used to play often with his bishop, Reynaldo Evangelista. When asked if he ever beat him, Father Felix laughed and joked good-naturedly, "Yes, that’s why he sent me here."

When told he was coming to the Dodge City diocese, Father Felix said he felt "surprised, happy and kind of excited."