Our Pastor

Rev. Fr. John Provenza 

              On Monday, April 28, 2008 Cardinal Mahony appointed me as pastor of Mary Star of the Sea beginning on July 1, 2008. I am aware of the great undertaking that I am about to begin following your beloved pastor for so many years, Monsignor Patrick Gallagher. I am also leaving, with some sorrow, St. Helen Church in South Gate, a parish I have loved and served as pastor for the past eight plus years. I am a native of Southern California, raised in  the West Covina, Walnut area. 

             I entered the High School seminary at the age of 14 and have served all my years in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. After my ordination in 1990 I served as an associate at St. Gregory the Great in Whittier, Assistant Principal at St. Bernard, Playa del Rey and St. Paul in Santa Fe Springs. I lived in residence at St. Michael in South Los Angeles,  St. Hilary in Pico Rivera, St. Paul of the Cross in La Mirada and as Associate  in Assumption in Boyle Heights before being appointed as Pastor  of St. Helen in 1999. I am also currently the Dean of Deanery 17, on the Council of Priests, and the Archdiocesan Personel Board. 

          As your new pastor I can only promise to love you as I have been loved by our Lord and to serve you with all my heart. We can also rejoice that Rev. Mr. Brian Nunes has been appointed Associate Pastor of Mary Star of the Sea beginning July 1, 2008.  Deacon Nunes will be Ordained as a priest on May 31, 2008. He will assist at mass at Mary Star of the Sea on Pentecost Sunday. Please pray for me, Deacon Nunes, Mary Star of the Sea Parish and St. Helen Parish  during this time of transition.