Pastoral Message – September 24, 2023
Greetings!
I’ve been here at Saints Simon & Jude a little over a week so far and I have enjoyed meeting so many of you. In case you are curious, or even if you are not, I’d like to take this opportunity to tell you a little about myself.
I am a native of Fullerton, right here in Orange County. When I was eight years old, my family relocated to a small town in North Dakota where I remained until I was eighteen. Then I came back to Orange County to
enter the seminary with the Norbertine Fathers. I was ordained for the Norbertines in 1984. I began helping on weekends at St. Mary’s by the Sea, and during the week went back to school (Cal State Fullerton), where I earned a degree and teaching credential in music. I taught in various Catholic schools for the first 14 years of my priesthood.
After those years of teaching, I became a parochial vicar at Holy Spirit parish in Fountain Valley, where I had been helping on weekends since 1992. In 2002, I became a parochial vicar at St. John the Baptist Church in Costa Mesa. In 2012, I discerned the call to become a diocesan priest and began the process which eventually led to my incardination in the Diocese of Orange. I served as a parochial vicar at St. Joseph parish in Santa Ana from 2012 to 2015. Then I was transferred to St. Columban in Garden Grove, where I remained until December of 2018. That was when I went to St. Edward the Confessor in Dana Point. Now I have come to you from St. Edward’s.
My parents have already gone to the Lord. I have two brothers and two sisters; my older brother also lives in Orange County, but the other siblings live in various other states. My greatest hero is Jesus Christ, and another hero in my life is Pope Francis.
In my spare time I love to read and listen to music. I have a season subscription to the Maestro’s Series with Pacific Symphony, and a season subscription to L.A. Opera. In addition to reading and music, I am a huge fan of the online series, The Chosen. I also love to visit with friends and I look forward to visiting with you.
Speaking of friends, I’d like to put in a shameless plug. In order for us to get to know each other, I hope you will invite me to join you for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The sooner, the better! Breaking bread together is a great way for us to become acquainted. I accept all invitations that my schedule permits; any day but Friday is possible. I really do look forward to getting to know you. And of course, let’s pray for each other, that this part of our journey towards heaven may bring us closer to the Lord and to one another.
Fr. Philip
