FR. J. PATRICK WALKER
2017 Bishop's Awards Honoree
“If God had a plan for my life, I should find out what the plan was. The Lord led me back to a vocational call to the priesthood.”
Father Walker has served in the Diocese of Stockton since his ordination on September 24, 1988. Before he entered St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, he taught at Grayson School in Westley. He earned his degree and teaching credentials at Stanislaus State. His first assignment was at St. Joseph’s Church in Modesto. He also briefly returned to teaching at Central Catholic High School. He was installed as Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Turlock, in 2016 after serving as pastor for St. Michael’s Parish, Stockton (1999) and St. Anthony’s Parish, Manteca (2007). And although he entered the priesthood later in life, he thought about becoming a priest much earlier at age twelve. His father, Bernard, died at 57, and, as can be expected, his passing was very hard on his mother, Frances, and his nine younger siblings. “It made me reflect on how short life was. If God had a plan for my life, I should find out what the plan was. The Lord led me back to a vocational call to the priesthood.”
Bernard and Frances Walker were very devout Catholics who raised their family in the small town of Oakdale. However, Father Walker’s mother always told him to remember that the “Catholic Church is much bigger than the local parish” which made him realize that his brothers and sisters were on every continent. This resulted in a “global awareness that frees me to appreciate many differing cultures and religious expressions.” His parents were excellent examples of service. His father was a Grand Knight and District Deputy of the Knights of Columbus. His mother was very active in Church Women United in Oakdale, an inclusive organization that served those in need of food or essential services. Father Walker often worked with her. “This gave me a life-long concern for those in need.” Father Walker has shared that concern with the ministerial associations in each parish he has served as a priest and has participated in fund-raising for organizations like the Manteca Pregnancy Center.
One of Father Walker’s top priorities as pastor has been improving and expanding parish facilities. “I believe that the Lucchetti Ministry Center at St. Michael’s was the most important project I was privileged to be part of.” He was also pleased to be part of the updating and renewing of the school cafeteria and ministry building at St. Anthony’s, Manteca.
“I learned the art of animating and empowering the laity early in my years at St. Joseph’s and Sacred Heart Turlock. Both Fr. O’Hare and Fr. Prendergast were very accomplished in the engagement of the faithful in most aspects of parish life.” Father Walker’s current project is the revitalization of the Parish Assessment and Renewal which “has the potential to fully establish the mandates of Vatican II in regard to lay involvement in parish life.”
Father Walker advises young people to get involved in parish youth or young adult groups. He encourages them to read a part of the Gospel each day with a good Catholic biblical commentary for reference. He also suggests involvement in some parish ministry like choir, lector, minister or Eucharistic minister. Perhaps, like Father Walker, a vocation will grow.