On Monday, I was informed that Bishop Cantú decided to transfer Fr. Johannes to St. Lucy Parish in Campbell, effective Monday, December 1, 2025.
On one level, this news is both surprising and distressing, especially to our French community. They feel abandoned—like “sheep without a shepherd.” Their distress and anxiety about the future have left them both bewildered and troubled. Whatever unfolds, let me affirm that you will always have a home with us. Plans are still in the works to provide at a minimum a priest who can celebrate the Sunday Mass in French.
Bishop Cantú faced a very difficult decision. St. Lucy’s recently lost their one and only parochial vicar. They are much in need of a priest who can minister to their very large Spanish-speaking community, and Fr. Johannes has the wonderful gift of serving the faithful in many languages. He freely and graciously accepted Bishop Cantu’s decision.
Although the time to say farewell is brief, we pray that Fr. Johannes will make a successful transition to his new assignment. Our entire parish community will miss his humor, dedication, and counsel. He has been a blessing, and we wish him well.