He has been described as a community builder, a gifted teacher, a priest both wise and humble.

Now after 28 years of ministry as a priest in the Diocese of Sacramento, Father John Sullivan retired as pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Placerville Nov. 1.

Father John Cantwell, who most recently served as pastor of Holy Family Parish in Citrus Heights, has been appointed as parochial administrator of St. Patrick Parish.

Father Sullivan, 67, is the kind of priest who can comfortably poke fun at some of the twists and turns that have occurred along the way, including entering the priesthood a bit later than some of his fellow priests.

Father John Sullivan has retired as pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Placerville after 28 years of ministry in Northern California parishes. Nancy Westlund/Herald photo

He grew up on a dairy and vineyards just north of Lodi. He started serving Mass at the age of eight and as a 10-year-old recalls watching his parish priest celebrate Mass and thinking to himself, “I could do that.”

But between serving a stint in the U.S. Army and “knocking around” a bit, it wasn’t until Father Sullivan was in his 30s that priesthood as a vocation became a reality. It happened when he became friends with a couple of priests active in the Cursillo movement.

“Cursillo simply said go do something (for God),” recalled Father Sullivan, who then began the formation process as a seminary student at St. Paul College in Waukesha, Wis.

“The first year I was put at the age of 31 in a class full of high school boys,” he said, adding with a chuckle, “I’ve never quite forgiven them for that.”

Ordained at the age of 39, Father Sullivan’s first assignment was as assistant pastor at St. Basil Parish in Vallejo in 1972. He recalled that at the first Mass celebrated on his own the thought crossing his mind was, “Good Lord, what am I doing out here?” before quickly reassuring parishioners, “Just be patient. We’ll get through this.”

Father Sullivan not only “got through” but found himself within two years appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Fort Jones, a rural community in Siskiyou County. In a parish that included travel to three mission churches, Father Sullivan set about doing what he enjoys most: making hospital visits, home visits and community visits.

“Father Sullivan was really comfortable with the people,” said MaryAnn Hanna, who is organist at Sacred Heart and in whose home Father Sullivan often celebrated family Mass.

Describing him as “a humble man who was also a good listener,” Hanna credits Father Sullivan with bringing the community closer together.

“He was very ecumenical and formed good relationships with other churches in the valley,” she said.

Sacred Heart parishioners Jim and Cathy Johnson remember Father Sullivan as a priest who put spirit into religious education programs that enriched the faith of children like their own five sons.

“Father Sullivan is a wise old owl who doesn’t shoot from the hip,” Cathy Johnson noted. “His knowledge of the Catholic faith taught all of us.”

From 1986 to 1995 Father Sullivan served as pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Colusa. While there he took on the challenge of supporting the parish’s financially struggling school. When he arrived 70 students attended the school, a number which doubled by the time he left nine years later.

Barbara Genera, who was hired by Father Sullivan to serve as principal, credits the priest’s hands-on style and ability to connect with parents, staff and children with creating a healthy school environment.

“He helped the school spiritually with his presence,” Genera said. “He had a natural gift being with children—generous, giving and non-judgmental.”

In May 1995, Father Sullivan was named pastor of St. Patrick Parish. He found the people of this parish with its 27 ministries “a talented group” eager to roll up their sleeves and go to work.

Pat Caris, who coordinates the youth ministry at St. Patrick’s, says Father Sullivan has the knack of “letting people do the things they want to so the spirit can move in a parish.”

Caris says that thanks to his support 18 high school students traveled to Mexico this past summer to assist in building projects to help people in need.

“Father Sullivan is just there for kids and they respond to that,” she said.

The Mother Teresa Maternity Home, which is located across the street from St. Patrick Church, opened its doors two years ago with a helping hand from Father Sullivan. He had planned to put the former convent up for sale when it became vacant, but a visit from parishioner Lucille Mosbacher changed his mind. Mosbacher’s plan to turn it into a home for pregnant women sounded like a good idea.

“It never would have happened without Father Sullivan,” said Mosbacher, now president of the maternity home’s board of directors.

The facility has provided a temporary home for 28 women, many of whom have been reunited with families.

While officially retired, Father Sullivan will remain active in priestly ministry in assisting Msgr. James Kidder, pastor at Holy Trinity Parish in El Dorado Hills, and continuing his assignment as dean of the Southern Mines Deanery. He will also retain membership on diocesan vocations and diaconate boards.

Msgr. Kidder, who was Father Sullivan’s vocations director at St. Patrick Seminary in Menlo Park, says the retiring priest brings a valuable perspective to the parish.

“(As a seminarian) his classmates found him to be a person of wisdom,” Msgr. Kidder said. “He’s a very hospitable priest—always on an even keel and very committed to Catholic education.”

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