clergy

REVEREND MONSIGNOR J. MICHAEL MCKIERNAN

PASTOR/RECTOR

Msgr. J. Michael McKiernan serves as the 35th pastor in a line of succession from Saint Junipero Serra, founder of the Historic Mission San Juan Capistrano.Msgr. McKiernan was ordained as a Diocesan Priest in the County of Orange on June 8, 1991. Prior to his post as Pastor and Rector of the dynamic Mission Campus, he was the founding Pastor of Christ Our Savior Catholic Church in Santa Ana and the Director of Clergy Personnel for the Diocese of Orange.

   Msgr. McKiernan’s educational background includes a Master of Arts in Pastoral Liturgy from Santa Clara University, a Master of Arts in Theology and a Master of Divinity in Religion from Saint John’s Seminary College. He began his education with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy also from Saint John’s Seminary College. Along with his many and varied duties at the Historic Mission, Church and School, Msgr. McKiernan also serves on the School Board of JSerra Catholic High School.


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reverend Manuel López González

PAROCHIAL VICAR

Fr. Manuel was born in the state of Michoacán, Mexico, and is the oldest of five brothers and sisters. He is 43 years old and his ordination as a priest was 10 years ago. He has been a Parochial Vicar here in the Diocese of Orange in the parishes of Santa Barbara in the city of Santa Ana and in the parish of St. Justin Martyr in the city of Anaheim. Fr. Manuel joined our parish community on July 1, 2020, the feast of Saint Junipero Serra.

   Father Manuel shares with us that the vocation to the priesthood is a gift from God according to the words of the Lord Jesus: "You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you" Jn 15:16. He asks God to help him always do his will and the Virgin of Guadalupe to continue interceding for him before her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. He commends himself to your prayers and you may count on his prayers for you.

REVEREND MONSIGNOR ARTHUR A. HOLQUIN

PASTOR EMERITUS/RECTOR EMERITUS

In retirement, Msgr. Holquin enjoys posting regularly to his blog -- pastoremeritus.org


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gary griffin

deacon

Deacon Gary Griffin and his wife Robin have been married for 36 years and have three adult children. Their children are Kevin, Colin and Erin. Kevin and his wife Lizzie have a son named Declan with a second grandchild for Gary and Robin on the way!


Gary and Robin became parishioners of Mission Basilica in 1986. Their children attended Mission Basilica School and Santa Margarita Catholic High School, moving on to Santa Clara, LMU and TCU.


Deacon Gary was ordained in 2009. Robin and Gary have been involved in ministry throughout their lives including teen ministry, family retreat ministry, women’s ministry, outreach ministry and detention ministry.


Prior to their marriage, they were both involved in mission work overseas. Deacon Gary worked in Bangladesh with the Mennonite Central Committee in agricultural development and Robin worked with Food for the Hungry in Thailand providing relief to refugees from Vietnam, Cambodia and Southeast Asia.


A professional in Renewable Energy Management, Deacon Gary uses his knowledge and experience to help parishes fund their ministry needs by reducing operating costs through increased use of Solar Energy.


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