Paulist Fathers leaving Diocese of Oakland in June

Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, has provided the following statement regarding the announcement by the Paulist Fathers that they will be ceasing their ministry at Holy Spirit-Newman Hall Parish in Berkeley this June.

“It is with great sadness that I accept this decision by the Paulists, knowing it is determined by the reality of fewer active members in their order,” Bishop Barber said. “Since 1907, the Paulists have provided a Catholic ministry to the students and the entire community in Berkeley. I am especially grateful for the current team of Father Ivan Tou, pastor, Fathers Ryan Casey and Ken Boyack, and Zach Turner, a Paulist intern. They leave big shoes to fill. Please join me in praying for their community as they plan for their future, and for us, as we discern how to continue the essential Catholic ministry at Holy Spirit-Newman Hall.”

Founded by Redemptorist Father Isaac Hecker in 1858, the order began with Redemptorist priests who were converts to Catholicism. “They had a deep desire to help the American people understand the Catholic Church and to help the Church understand the democratic spirit of America,” according to the Paulists’ website (Paulist.org).

At the turn of the century, the order was inspired by St. John Cardinal Newman and began serving public university communities, pioneering Catholic campus ministry. In 1907, Archbishop Patrick William Riordan appointed the first Paulist priest to serve as full-time resident chaplain at the University of California at Berkeley.

Since then, Paulists fathers have served the students and parishioners of Holy Spirit-Newman Hall. While the number of Paulists grew steadily in the 20^th century, the order began seeing a decline in men in active ministry in the early part of this century. In 2004 the order had 98 men in active ministry (ordained and not retired). Today, there are 50 active Paulist fathers, with two thirds of them 60 years or older.

“The Paulists will miss the Berkeley community deeply,” said Paulist Father Ivan Tou, pastor of Newman Hall - Holy Spirit Parish. “We have been so blessed by their faithfulness, friendship, and participation. Their ownership and leadership of the faith, resulting in many vibrant lay-led ministries, has given us great hope for the future of the Church. They will always be in our hearts and prayers.”