Pastor’s Greeting

By way of introduction, I offer a few words about my background.  I was born in Passaic. N.J. and grew up in Hackensack, N.J.  After graduating from Hackensack High School I attended Pratt Institute in New York City and became a Graphic Artist.  After graduating from Art School I was drafted into the Army at the time of the Vietnam Conflict.  After being discharged from military service I worked for Harper & Row Publishing Company, in New York City, designing advertising brochures for their college textbooks.

After visiting California on a vacation, I decided to move to the Golden State in 1972, settling in Berkeley and working there in the art field.  I became very involved in ministry at the local parish, and after much discernment I decided to enter the seminary.  I was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Oakland on December 4, 1981.  During my priestly ministry, I have served as a pastor in three parishes in the diocese, as well as serving as Vocations Director and the Vicar for Priests.  In August of 2008, Bishop Allen Vigneron, then Bishop of Oakland, appointed me as pastor of St. Joan of Arc Church.

It is a great joy to be a part of this vibrant faith community.  Our parish mission, “To be Christ for Others as Christ is for Us.” is lived out through the generosity so many who share their time, talent and treasure with others.  I invite you to prayerfully and joyfully view this website.  It is a testament of how much our community loves Christ and desires to continue his mission in our world.  May God’s peace and the love of the Lord Jesus be with you all.

Blessings,

Fr. Ray