Archbishop installs Father Arturo Albano as new pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church

By Mary Powers

St. Vincent de Paul Church was full of joy and excitement on the Fourth Sunday of Advent as Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone presided at the 10:00 a.m. Mass to install their new pastor, Father Arturo Albano.

Formerly the rector and pastor of the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, Father Albano was asked to lead the Cows Hollow parish and he accepted, sharing with the parishioners present that he knew he was needed there and more importantly, Christ was calling him to continue his work in the Archdiocese.

Archbishop Cordileone in his homily spoke of Advent as being a time when the Church is more vigilant to how the Lord makes himself present in our lives, many times thanks to the guidance of pastors who take on His work as the Good Shepherd.

“God provides his Church with pastors to carry out his work, to know the people and to lead them to an encounter with him,” said Archbishop Cordileone. “I am very grateful to Father Art for accepting this invitation to be the Good Shepherd of this parish of St. Vincent de Paul. As I got to know him, I saw his love for his priesthood, his priestly commitment, his love for the Church, and care for the people; so, I am happy that he has come here. And I am happy that he has energetically taken up this responsibility of being the good shepherd of you the people of St. Vincent de Paul parish.”

Present alongside the parishioners of St. Vincent de Paul were many members of Father Albano’s family, some traveling great distances to be there to celebrate the important day.