Returning to St. Catherine's in Vallejo

I was on a temporary "on loan" assignment at St. Joseph's in Vacaville.  My official canonical appointment is St. Catherine's in Vallejo.

I was the only deacon serving in a parish that was a little smaller than St. Catherine's.

These nine months were a blessing.

Today, I made announcements at all St. Joseph's Masses.  About 2 weeks ago, I made a somewhat similar announcement at St. Catherine's.

Fr. Jess and Sis. Chris B. told me, "Welcome home!"

Here's a picture with Clarissa, who was one of the sacristans that helped me along with someone named Patricia who Fr. Cleetus and I nicknamed "Mother Superior".  She stitched this herself.  I will use it to remember my time at St. Joseph's.

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POST-SCRIPT

(added on Jan. 24, 2026)

I came across this old message which I sent to St. Joseph's parishioners and parish bulletin:

A Message from Deacon Dennis Purificacion

 

Dear St. Joseph's Parishioners, 

When Fr. Resti asked me to help him at St. Joseph in October of last 

year, I knew that my time with you all as a deacon “on loan” would be 

temporary. With Fr. Resti’s return on July 1 to my home parish of St. 

Catherine’s, I will be formally returning with him. 

During my 9-month temporary “on loan” assignment at St. Joseph, 

which currently does not have permanent deacons assigned to it, it was 

my mission to plant seeds of having new deacons at St. Joseph by giving 

parishioners a positive experience of the permanent diaconate. I hope 

everyone got a glimpse of how permanent deacons can be a gift to the 

parish. I pray there are husbands and wives who will respond to the 

inspirations of the Holy Spirit and have that conversation with each 

other, along with their kids if younger, about the possibility of serving as 

a deacon family in the immediate future. Perhaps in a few years, we will 

see new permanent deacons at St. Joseph! 

As you know, both Fr. Resti and I have enjoyed you all as wonderful 

parishioners. My family, too, enjoyed your welcome and hospitality. I 

myself am on hand to assist as a backup deacon here and there, but I 

will not be as visible at weekend Masses as before. Please feel free to 

contact me at St. Catherine’s in Vallejo and come visit us, too. 

May St. Joseph, the foster-father of Jesus, lovingly watch you and keep 

you close to God and each other. 

Yours in Jesus and Mary, 

Deacon Dennis & Tove Ann Purificacion