By Catholic San Francisco
The spiritual, social and cultural heart of Noe Valley in San Francisco is the three-parish cluster of Saint Paul, Saint Philip the Apostle, and Saint James. The centerpiece of the cluster, St. Paul, is an iconic church with breathtaking English Gothic Revival architecture where on Sunday, March 22, the Most Reverend Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone celebrated a Mass of Installation for Father Tom Martin as the second pastor of the Noe Valley Cluster.
Concelebrating with Archbishop Cordileone was the Most Reverend Michael J. Barber, S.J., Bishop of Oakland, along with several other priests of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. The Rite of Installation for Father Martin included a reading of the archbishop’s appointment letter by the Very Reverend Patrick J. Summerhays, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia.
“As you take up this new service in the archdiocese, I pray that in and through this ministry, you will grow in priestly holiness sharing the joy and peace of the risen Christ, His first gift to His apostles,” the letter read. “I would also ask that you take a personal and special interest in promoting and praying for vocations to the priesthood and religious life in our archdiocese. In addition, I ask that you recall my desire to promote and cultivate the spirituality of stewardship throughout the archdiocese.”
At the conclusion of his homily, Archbishop Cordileone directed a special message to Fr. Tom Martin.
“I am grateful to Fr. Tom for his generous pastoral care of God’s people,” said the archbishop. “He has a spirit of service that is always ready to serve. He is a key collaborator in the archdiocese, and I never cease to be amazed by his capacity for work—in the kitchen as well as in the office and in church!”
At the conclusion of the Mass, Fr. Martin addressed the congregation with deep appreciation.
“I have gathered here this morning people from every chapter of my life,” he said. “I am very grateful for your friendship, for all the lessons you have taught me, and for putting up with me! To the staff and faculty of our schools and parishes, I look forward to building a future with you upon what is already a strong foundation from those who came before us. God has given us this time to forge a future here in Noe Valley of faith, hope, love and charity.”
The standing-room-only crowd processed out of the church to a reception in the St Paul Parish Center to continue the celebration.
