Despedida Bienvenida for Filipino Clergy

The Filipino-Americans of Northern California Organization (FANCO) honored some Filipino priests with a despedida-bienvenida party at the Ignacio Community Center in  Novato last June 22.  The Catholic Archdiocese of San Francdisco made some reshuffling of its Filipino personnel. From l-r: Fr. Honesto Gile Jr, former administrator of Our lady of Loretto in Novato, will go back to the Philippines for an indefinite leave of absence after his heart surgery; Fr. Bonifacio “Boy” Espeleta was assigned to St. Anthony parish in Novato from St.. Andrew in Daly City; Fr. Lou Palacpac, associate pastor of St. Anselm in Ross, will assume Good Shepherd parish in Pacifica left by Fr. Jess Labor; Fr. Alner Nambatac, associate pastor of St. Isabella parish in San Rafael was assigned to the Church of the Nativity in Menlo Park; Fr. Jess left Pacifica parish to go back to his archdiocese in Tagbilaran, Bohol province in the Philippines. Msgr. Romulo Vergara is the pastor of Mission San Raphael. He was formerly Rector of the Basilica of Penafrancia in Naga City, Camarines Sur province.