Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

About Fr. Mark (excerpted from his 2018 “How I became a priest” article for St. Joseph’s Church):

“I attended 6:30 am Mass every day at Presentation Parish before my classes at Lincoln High School.  I also tried to do a daily holy hour in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, following the famous recommendation of Bishop Fulton Sheen.  As the only young man in the Legion of Mary group,   I was “blessed among women” at meetings.  As a high school foreign exchange student in France, I discovered that most French people are non-practicing Catholics, who were amazed that I wanted to attend daily Mass.  By bicycle, I went to countless wonderful churches! Attending Delta College for two years, I played on the soccer team and gradually began to lose interest in becoming a priest.  Next, I studied journalism at Chico State University, becoming a disc jockey for a campus radio station.  I also attended parties and chased girls (but God prevented me from catching any!)  Throughout, I was not able to drown out the voice of God calling me to the priesthood.  I felt unfulfilled and resumed my practice of daily Mass and holy hour, and decided to enter the seminary.  When I told my roommates about my decision, they said it was “cool,” and I found out that some of them were Catholic.  After two years of college seminary, I was sent for five years of theology study in Rome. This was a blessing, as I was able to visit the shrines of Europe and the Holy Land.  I received a theology degree from the “Gregorian University” and a license degree (S.T.L.) in moral theology from the “John Paul II Institute for Studies of Marriage and Family.”   Upon finishing my studies, I returned home and was ordained a priest by Bishop Donald Montrose on September 24, 1988.”

Fr. Mark is pleased to return to his “home parish” and looks forward to serving the parishioners of Presentation Parish.

Hello, my name is Fr. Manda Sudhakar. I’m from India and I belong to the Missionary Society of Heralds of Good News (HGN). I was ordained to the priesthood on April 19, 2010. Since then, I have been appointed Vice-Rector in Heralds Spiritual Orientation Center HGN and Vice-Rector of St. Joseph’s Major Seminary. I’ve been a parish priest for several parishes as well. 

I enjoy music vocals, singing, and drawing. I like reading books and my favorite book is “The Priest is Not His Own” by Bishop Fulton Sheen. My favorite saints are St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta and St. Cecilia. My favorite movie is “The Man Who Became Pope.” My favorite quote is “The Lord Provides.” I enjoy eating all South Indian dishes. 

I am Father Madhu Appanapalle. I was ordained as a priest on April 19, 2012. Soon after my ordination, I was appointed as a pastor in a parish in India. I served five years in that parish then came to the Diocese of Stockton. 

I served three years in Our Lady of Fatima in Modesto California as Parochial Vicar. I then moved to St. Anthony's in Manteca and served there for three years as Parochial Vicar. Now, I'm at Presentation Parish. And I love my priesthood!

My favorite saints are St. Francis Xavier, St. Anthony of Padua, and St. Padre Pio. On top of that, I love Our Blessed Virgin Mary. 

Rev. Dr. Bill Brennan: william-brennan@sbcglobal.net

Rev. Mr. Scott Johnson: deaconscott@comcast.net

Rev. Mr. Mike Navarec, Sr.: deaconmike91011@gmail.com