By Christina Gray
Father Armando Gutierrez and Father Jerald Geronimo were recently sworn in as chaplains ministering to local firefighters and deputies and their families, as well as victims and witnesses.
Father Gutierrez, pastor of St. Finn Barr Parish and judicial vicar for the archdiocesan Tribunal office, was sworn in as lead chaplain for the San Francisco Fire Department on Dec. 22, 2025. Father Geronimo, administrator of the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, was sworn in on Feb. 2 as a chaplain for the Sheriff’s Office.
According to Lieutenant Matt Scola of the SFFD Behavioral Health Unit, Father Gutierrez heads the SFFD’s chaplains program, responding on call to large-scale incidents and alarms of all types, communicating with other fire department chaplains, and providing guidance in the development of the program.
Fire department chaplains provide spiritual support to SFFD’s firefighters, EMS personnel, their families and incident victims. The lead chaplain may also attend formal SFFD events such as retirement banquets, funerals, graduations and promotions. Father Gutierrez started helping as a chaplain with the SFFD in 2025.
“I am glad to be helping our firefighters, who are characterized by a great camaraderie among themselves and a self-giving spirit of service,” said Fr. Gutierrez.
There are currently two SFFD chaplains: Father Gutierrez and Father Jack Mitchell, S.J. Father John Greene retired after nearly 40 years as SFFD Chaplain. Both chaplains are Catholic, said Scola, but serve all persons regardless of faith. Chief of Department Dean Crispen has expressed a strong interest in expanding the program to include chaplains from various faiths.
“I feel that a couple of Father Gutierrez’s best qualities are his easy-going nature and humility,” said Scola. “He doesn’t take himself too seriously, and that draws people to him.”
Father Gutierrez’s swearing in was conducted by Chief of Department Dean Crispen with the top three members of the command staff present, including Deputy Chiefs Pat Rabbitt and Sayumi Brennan and Lieutenant Matt Scola.
Father Jerald Geronimo is serving the San Francisco Sheriff Office’s Chaplaincy Program, a ministry of presence for sworn and professional employees of the Sheriff’s Office and their families. He was sworn in by Sheriff Paul Miyamoto as the first Filipino-American Catholic priest chaplain for the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department in its 176 year history.
Sheriff’s Office chaplains provide 24-hour crisis intervention, support, and counseling and referrals for deputies and their families.
“I’m deeply honored to bring the presence of Christ into the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department—to stand in solidarity with those who serve our city and remind them that their courage and daily sacrifices are seen by God,” said Fr. Geronimo.
Father Geronimo is a graduate of Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory High School and San Francisco State University. He attended St. Patrick’s Seminary & University in Menlo Park from 2015 to 2022. He graduated Summa Cum Laude and was ordained to the priesthood on June 4, 2022.
Following his ordination, Father Geronimo was assigned by San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone as parochial vicar at St. Mary’s Cathedral and as administrator of the Cathedral in 2025.
Christina Gray is the lead writer for Catholic San Francisco.
