The Rev. Mark Arnzen became pastor of St. Catherine Roman
Catholic Church, 17400 Peak Ave. on July 1. It was something of a
homecoming for him to return to the Morgan Hill parish of 3,000
families.
Father Mark grew up in Cottonwood, Idaho, a small
German-Catholic community. He was the fourth child of nine.
The Rev. Mark Arnzen became pastor of St. Catherine Roman Catholic Church, 17400 Peak Ave. on July 1. It was something of a homecoming for him to return to the Morgan Hill parish of 3,000 families.
Father Mark grew up in Cottonwood, Idaho, a small German-Catholic community. He was the fourth child of nine.
After graduating from high school, he served four years in the United States Marine Corps, then moved to the Bay Area to study philosophy and German at Holy Names College in Oakland. With “no particular plan in mind” after graduation, Arnzen moved to northern New Mexico and spent two years teaching at St. Bonaventure School and Mission on the Navajo Indian reservation.
Enjoying the life of a teacher and the interplay with students, Father Mark returned to Holy Names College and earned a teaching credential. He then taught sixth grade for six years at St. Lawrence The Martyr School in Santa Clara.
During this time he began to discern a call to the priesthood. “God was patient with me,” he said.
In response, Arnzen entered St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park. As part of his study for ordination, he spent 2002-03 as a pastoral year student assigned to St. Catherine in Morgan Hill.
In 2005, he was ordained by Bishop McGrath of the Diocese of San Jose and assigned as Parochial Vicar at St. Martin of Tours Church in San Jose. He spent last year serving Holy Spirit Church in San Jose’s Almaden Valley. Parishioners of the church were sorry to see him leave so soon.
Father Brendan McGuire, the pastor, called him “a true gift.”
“Whether for a classroom visit or at dropoff or pickup, the school children were always glad to see Father Mark,” he said. “He has endeared himself to the parish. The staff will miss Father Mark’s calming presence, his sense of humor and his always-willing-to-help attitude.”
When asked which aspect of his ministry he enjoys most or finds most rewarding, he surprised himself with his answer. After years of teaching and working with youth, he expected to prefer that. But it actually turned out to be working with the elderly.
“It’s an honor to hear their stories, to hear about lifetimes of joy and sorrow, to hear their wisdom,” he said. “Their faith has often changed during their lives, and they share how they now see God differently in their present struggles and difficulties. I’ve learned much about the wonder of life from my ministry with seniors, how some things (like Silicon Valley) have changed, but others (like family problems) remain much the same.”
Father Mark has discovered how different it is to serve a parish that includes a whole city (as opposed to the intersecting boundaries farther north in the Bay Area). He said he feels much more of a community identity here, citing the wide support of and involvement in the Fourth of July Parade.
He lists three goals for his expected six-year assignment at St. Catherine:
– Continue work on the master plan begun under Father O’Donnell, improving facilities needed for future generations
– Grow the faith community, helping more residents discover the joys of faith
– Provide more service to youth and young adults, both Spanish- and English-speaking, by welcoming them and helping them walk their faith journey.
After nearly two months as pastor, Arnzen is appreciative of his reception by his congregation. Members have been “very welcoming and supportive,” he said, and the transition has been “smooth and as easy as possible.”
In commenting on Reach Out, the ecumenical hunger program housed behind St. Catherine, he lauded the generosity of the community and dedication of volunteers, but pointed out the number of residents requesting help has skyrocketed.
“It is remarkable all they are able to do out of that building,” he said. “We need to rely on God to continue to provide resources to meet the great need.”
For more information call (408) 779-3959.
