Sunday, June 22, 2025
Clergy Changes
We have some changes coming July 1st. Reverend Joseph Truong, well-liked by members of the parish here, is reassigned to Saint Barbara and Immaculate Heart of Mary in Santa Ana. He will be available after the liturgies next weekend to say goodbye. There will not be another priest sent to Saint Joachim to take Fr. Joseph’s place this year. However, Reverend Gregory Walgenbach, Director of the Office of Life, Justice and Peace and the Mission Office for the Diocese of Orange will preside at most of our Tuesday liturgies, many Saturday evening Masses, and some Sunday mornings.
Father Greg was ordained in June of 2024. He has a Ph.D. in theology. His diocesan assignments fit his passion for evangelization and mission through the proclamation of the Gospel in word and deed and living out a consistent ethic of life. Father Greg was ordained through what is known as the Pastoral Provision, having formerly been an Anglican priest. He is married with four children. We understand there will be questions about the Pastoral Provision, as a married, diocesan priest is a rare exception. Several rites in communion with the Catholic Church (Byzantine, Maronite, etc.) permit married men to become priests, whereas the Latin Rite (the most widely practiced) follows the discipline of celibacy. Pope St. John Paul II began the Pastoral Provision, and you can learn more about it at www.rcbo.org/priesthood. Please welcome Fr. Gregory to our community when you see him.
My status will also change, though not my role. I will go from being “Parochial Administrator” to “Pastor.” My installation as pastor will take place at the 10:00 a.m. liturgy on Sunday, July 6th. Lastly, please know Father Taposh Halder will be visiting again this summer. He is scheduled to arrive July 18th and depart August 15th. His bishop will be accompanying him.
In Christ,
Rev. Robert P. Capone