New pastor
assumes leadership
at Our Lady of Grace
Father Thomas Verber, OSA |
By Carrie McClish
Staff writer
Augustinian Father Thomas Verber officially became the
new pastor at Our Lady of Grace Parish in Castro Valley on July 1. He
succeeded Augustinian Father Kevin Mullins, pastor since 1999, who has
accepted a new assignment to be pastor of St. Rita Parish in Racine, Wisconsin,
and to be a member of the novitiate formation team there.
Father Verber was born and raised in Racine, attending Catholic schools
where the Dominican Sisters taught him from grades one through college.
After meeting members of the Society of St. Augustine at a retreat in
San Diego, he joined the community in 1992. He studied at the Washington
Theological Union in Washington D.C. and earned two masters’ degrees,
one in education and another in divinity.
“The whole process just seemed right as I progressed towards solemn
vows,” he told The Voice. “St. Augustine was a man of heart
— a great pastor — as well as an intellectual giant.”
He was ordained on Aug. 28, 1999, the feast day of St. Augustine. He subsequently
served as parochial vicar at St. Thomas Parish in Ojai, as chaplain of
St. Augustine High School in San Diego, and at St. Ann Parish in Arlington,
Virginia.
At the time of his appointment to Castro Valley, he was serving as pastor
of St. Patrick Parish in San Diego. The Augustinian newsletter, in announcing
his move, noted that while at St. Patrick’s he oversaw the re-wiring
of all the parish buildings and the complete renovation of the parish
school.
Just prior to his arrival in the East Bay, Father Verber said, via email,
that he was looking forward to ministering to the people of Our Lady of
Grace Parish and the elementary school community. He draws his inspiration
from the charism of his order.
“The Augustinian charism is community, and that’s what a pastor
does: unites parish and school people in Christ through the power of the
Holy Spirit. My goal for Our Lady of Grace is to continue the good work
of the outgoing pastor and serve the spiritual needs of the people.”
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