The Rev. Gilbert "Gil" Padilla
The Rev. Gilbert "Gil" Padilla, pastor of Holy Catholic Family Church, is active in providing care for Tucson's homeless. His views sometimes differ from the Vatican's; he believes women should be priests, and he's known for performing marriages and baptisms that other churches won't.
BEST MEMORIES OF EARLY TUCSON
I've lived in Tucson for about 60 years, off and on, and there have been many changes, from a little burg to a big city. I saw Tucson go through the Depression, through the war years when Davis-Monthan moved in more soldiers than there were people here, to the post-war boom. I remember when there were four swimming pools, five movie theaters--all on Congress Street--and one high school. My sister and I would wait one and a half hours in the movie theater lobby every Sunday afternoon, like clockwork. I needed glasses and didn't know it, and came out with the darndest headaches, but sure enough, we went every Sunday afternoon.
BEST SPIRIT OF COOPERATION
The best thing about changing from a small, overcrowded town to a city is the availability and accessibility of social services that we have now. Places like Chicanos Por La Causa, Nosotros, the Tucson Urban League and Primavera are all wonderful organizations. We refer (homeless) people to each other for shelter, and can't always handle everyone, but just knowing that these social services exist is a consolation.
BEST RECREATION
Tennis at the Randolph tennis courts is the best recreation for me. Now I play three times a week--I have to or my body will stiffen up. I don't have time to daydream. I don't take much time off, but if I want to relax, other than tennis, I have to get out of Tucson.
BEST CULTURAL OPPORTUNITY
I love the Arizona Opera Company. I get season tickets, and love all of the old operas. I like musicals, too, but straight opera is my favorite. Die Walküre was especially good. I do think they need to have a whole new slate of operas each season, because Tucson is sophisticated enough to do that. I'd also cut out Mozart--he doesn't sell too well, anyway.
BEST SPORTING EVENT
Football has been a passion with me ever since I can remember. My favorite team is Notre Dame--I started liking them in 1941, the year Angelo Bertelli was quarterback. I knew it was a Catholic school, and they've always had a great football tradition. I go to University of Arizona Wildcat football games whenever I can. This year I'm going to get season tickets if I can. I was going to last year, but I was always tied up with weddings and quinciñeras. I'll try to keep game nights free this year. I thought we were going to be jinxed last year, because Sports Illustrated is a jinx, and besides, I thought we were better a couple years ago. I think the Wildcats will go to the Rose Bowl, if the franchise continues. I even use football in my sermons if the occasion fits.
BEST PLACE FOR WEDDINGS
My church (Holy Family Catholic Church, 338 W. University Blvd.) is my only place for weddings now. I used to go to mountaintops, riverbeds, restaurants, all over the place. The bishop made me stop that. I remember one wedding I performed at Sanctuary Cove, outside, and this big wind came up, and I spent most of the time just trying to keep things from blowing away.
