Jubilarian event honors priests celebrating milestone anniversaries
By Catholic San Francisco
On the evening of May 14, at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, priests of the Archdiocese of San Francisco gathered to honor their brother priests celebrating significant anniversaries of their ordinations. The event began with Vespers, a solemn evening prayer, followed by a dinner in the Cathedral’s Events Center.
Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone expressed his appreciation for the dedicated service of the Jubilarian priests, acknowledging their unwavering commitment to their vocation and the Church.
Among the honored priests were: Father Michel Strange, who celebrated 60 years of priestly service; Father Craig Forner, Father Eugene Tungol, Father Jonathan Paala, and Father Nicasio Paloso, who each celebrated 50 years of priestly service; Father Thomas Thodukulam, S.B.D., who celebrated 25 years of priestly service; and Father Anthony McGuire was posthumously honored for nearly 60 years of priestly service.
The event included a slideshow featuring photos from the priests’ ordinations and various moments throughout their ministry.
2025 honorees:
60 Years
Rev. J. Michael Strange, PSS
Father J. Michael Strange, was born on April 13, 1939, in San Francisco. He was baptized at St. Cecilia Parish, where he also attended elementary school. His education continued at St. Joseph’s College in Mountain View, St. Patrick Seminary in Menlo Park, and the University of San Francisco. On June 5, 1965, he was ordained at Mission Dolores Basilica in San Francisco by Archbishop Joseph T. McGucken.
Father Strange joined the Sulpician Fathers, a community dedicated to the formation of priests. During his active ministry he served as Chaplain of St. Anne’s Home in San Francisco and as Parochial Vicar at St. Victor in San Jose and St. Vincent De Paul in San Francisco. Demonstrating his commitment to education and international service, he was assigned by his order to seminaries in Zambia, Africa, where he taught for thirteen years.
Throughout his career, Father Strange has been dedicated to nurturing the spiritual and educational growth of future priests. His work in both local parishes and international seminaries reflects his deep commitment to the Sulpician mission and his passion for priestly formation.
Rev. Anthony McGuire
Father Anthony E. McGuire was born on November 15, 1939, in San Francisco. He was ordained on June 5, 1965, by Archbishop Joseph T. McGucken. Fluent in Latin, Spanish, and Cantonese, Father McGuire dedicated his life to serving diverse communities. He served as Chaplain for Spanish-speaking communities in San Jose and San Francisco and held significant roles such as Secretariat of Ethnic & Cultural Affairs and Vicar for Priests.
Father McGuire’s pastoral journey includes serving as Parochial Vicar at St. Gregory in San Mateo, Most Holy Trinity in San Jose, St. Patrick in San Jose, and St. Monica in San Francisco. He also served as pastor at Most Holy Redeemer in San Francisco, St. Anne of the Sunset in San Francisco, and St. Matthew Parish in San Mateo. His commitment to social justice and community support was evident in his role as director of Pastoral Care of Immigrants and Refugees with the USCCB.
After decades of dedicated service, Father McGuire retired on January 1, 2015, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, leadership, and unwavering faith. He passed away on May 12, 2025.
50 years
Rev. Craig W. Forner
Father Craig W. Forner was born on March 29, 1949, in San Francisco. He was ordained on May 17, 1975, by Archbishop Joseph McGucken. Throughout his dedicated ministry, Father Forner served as parochial vicar at several parishes, including St. Timothy in San Mateo, St. Luke in Foster City, Mater Dolorosa in South San Francisco, Mission Dolores Basilica in San Francisco, and St. Isabella in San Rafael.
He also held pastoral roles as pastor of St. Emydius in San Francisco, St. Kevin in San Francisco, and St. Matthias in Redwood City. Additionally, he served as administrator at St. Timothy in San Mateo and St. Benedict in San Francisco. Father Forner’s commitment to education and vocations was evident in his roles as a faculty member at Junipero Serra High School and as director of vocations.
After a long and impactful career, Father Forner retired on July 1, 2015. His legacy is marked by his dedication to his parish communities, his leadership in various pastoral roles, and his commitment to nurturing future generations of priests.
Rev. Eugene D. Tungol
Father Eugene D. Tungol was born on July 13, 1949, in Alburquerque, Bohol, Philippines. He was baptized at St. Monica Church in Bohol and pursued his education from elementary through college in the Philippines, including studies at the University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary in Manila. Father Tungol was ordained on June 29, 1975, at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Italy by Pope Paul VI. Father Tungol was incardinated into the Archdiocese of San Francisco on June 1, 1992.
Father Tungol served as parochial vicar at St. Anne of the Sunset and Church of the Epiphany in San Francisco. He later became pastor at St. Augustine in South San Francisco and is currently pastor at Church of the Epiphany in San Francisco. His dedication to the Filipino community was evident in his role as vicar for Filipinos.
Throughout his ministry, Father Tungol has been committed to serving diverse communities and fostering spiritual growth.
Rev. Jonathan Paala
Father Jonathan Paala was born on September 27, 1951, in Ligao, Albay, Philippines. He attended Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay City, Philippines, and was ordained on October 10, 1975, at St. Stephen’s Church in Ligao, Albay. He was incardinated into the Archdiocese of San Francisco on May 18, 1999, and retired on July 1, 2021.
Early in his ministry, Father Paala served as a hospital chaplain and then as parochial vicar at St. Patrick in San Francisco, St. Monica in San Francisco, and St. Luke in Foster City. He also served as pastor at St. Luke in Foster City.
Rev. Nicasio G. Paloso
Father Nicasio G. Paloso was born on October 16, 1948, in Loon, Bohol, Philippines. He attended the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Tagbilaran City, where he was ordained on December 12, 1975. Father Paloso was incardinated into the Archdiocese of San Francisco on March 30, 2010.
Throughout his ministry, Father Paloso served as parochial vicar at several parishes, including St. Bruno in San Bruno, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Daly City, Holy Name of Jesus in San Francisco, St. Veronica in South San Francisco, St. Pius in Redwood City, St. Timothy in San Mateo, and Our Lady of the Pillar in Half Moon Bay.
25 years
Rev. Thomas Thodukulam
Father Thomas Thodukulam was born on February 2, 1966, in Kerala, India. He professed as a Salesian in 1991 and was ordained in 2000. Since 2016, Father Thodukulam has been serving in the Archdiocese of San Francisco. He has held the position of parochial vicar and is currently the pastor at Corpus Christi in San Francisco.