By Catholic San Francisco
On Sunday, August 17, Father Gerardo Vázquez was installed as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in East Palo Alto. The bilingual Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone.
As part of the Rite of Installation, Dominican Father Jerome Cudden, pastor of St. Raymond Catholic Church in Menlo Park, read Archbishop Cordileone’s appointment letter, and Father Vázquez greeted the staff and leadership of the parish.
In his homily, Archbishop Cordileone thanked Father Lawrence Goode for his leadership of the parish. Father Goode retired in July after more than 60 years of priestly service, 22 of which were spent as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi.
“I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Father Goode for the many years that he worked here shaping the faith of this community and forming it into the vibrant community of faith that it is today,” said Archbishop Cordileone.
The Archbishop also thanked Father Vázquez for accepting the position of pastor of the parish, telling the parishioners, “You are in good hands with Fr. Gerardo.”
At the end of Mass, Father Vázquez addressed the parishioners thanking those present but first thanking God for the many gifts He has given to him.
“Today is a very special day,” said Father Vázquez. “I especially give thanks to God because He is the one who guides our steps and brings us together today with this celebration in the life of our parish of St. Francis of Assisi.”
The Mass was followed by a vibrant reception in the hall that celebrated Father Vázquez’s installation and the 18-year anniversary of the sisters of the Missionaries of the Mother of God serving at the parish.
Photos: Mary Powers
