Fr. John Recalls 50 Years as a Priest
On June 13, 1959, I was blessed by God to be ordained a priest, along with eight other young Salesians. It happened in Mary Help of Christians Church in Watsonville, Calif. I had no idea where life would lead me, but I trusted in the Holy Spirit.
In 1960, I was asked to be one of the founders of Salesian High School in Richmond, where I was the first vice principal, and then the second principal. I thought that I was going to spend my priestly life as an educator. However, the Holy Spirit had other plans.
In 1967, I was asked to help out in St. Andrew-St. Joseph Parish in Oakland and then in 1968, I was named as pastor of this poor church, which was predominantly African-American and Latino. Salesian pastors usually have a term of six years, but somehow I stayed in West Oakland at St. Andrews’ for 26 years.
I thrived there and with the wonderful assistance of many men and women, mostly poor, we were able to improve life in West Oakland. We founded a soup kitchen to feed the hungry each day; we started a child-care center for our children; we helped found the West Oakland Health Center; we built a 68-unit senior housing facility across the street from the church. At the very same time, we developed vibrant liturgies according to Vatican II. There were many priests and sisters involved in this poor parish, and the bishop ordained three African-American men as permanent deacons from our parish …
Then the Holy Spirit stepped in, and Bishop John Cummins asked me to leave Oakland and move down San Pablo Avenue to St. John the Baptist Church in El Cerrito. I have been very happy here for these 15 years. (I do not seem to move very often.)
The very diverse congregation of St. John’s was a blessing to me. The rich cultures of so many people have been a fantastic gift. I have one again been blessed with very dedicated women and men who supported me and helped me grow as a priest … So here we are after 50 years of priesthood, still open to the call of the Holy Spirit. I have no plans for retirement.
The priesthood is my life, and with your prayers and encouragement, I will continue until the Lord calls me home.
Gratefully,
Fr. John Maxwell
