Honorees

Doug Adel is the Chief Financial Officer of the Diocese of Stockton. He came to his position in 2002, not by reading the want ads but because someone recognized a good match: a headhunter. Doug was a bit concerned about accepting the job as he didn’t know if it would be challenging enough, but Bishop Blaire and Msgr. Ryan made sure that would not be the case from day one! Doug grew up on a family farm in rural South Read More >>

Paul Balestracci considers his faith a “place to call home.” Paul’s original home is San Francisco, the City by the Bay, where he was baptized by Rev. George Lacey. He attended Holy Family School in Citrus Heights and St. John the Evangelist School in Carmichael before he moved to Ohio during his junior high years. When he returned to Carmichael, he attended La Sierra High School. After earning his B.A. in Economics from UC  Davis, Read More >>

Remedios’ faith and heart of service inspire. “I like to be part of the church, to serve and help the people, and now I feel that I am in the place that I always wanted to be in.” Remedios M.  Barrera, born in Guadalajara, Mexico, with her twin brother, is the fifth of eleven children. Her father passed away ten years ago, and her mother, who has 20 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, lives in Lathrop. Before she moved to California in 1988, Read More >>

Don Geiger has worked on community building, civic improvement, and faith sharing, and he approaches each opportunity with humility. His call to service “is a gift” which he has shared with the Diocese and City of Stockton for many years. A third-generation Stocktonian, Don attended St. Agnes, Annunciation, and St. Mary’s High School. He also attended University of San Francisco and UC Berkeley- Boalt Hall School of Law. Read More >>

Peter Morelli was born in Stockton to first generation Italian parents. His grandmother, a Genoan, lived with them, and, subsequently, Italian became his first language. When he was 16 years of age, Peter Morelli started attending daily Mass. He has continued doing so to this day. He is grateful for his Catholic faith which has “enhanced his life” and encouraged his                   membership in the Serra Club and Knights of Columbus. Read More >>

Don and Sylvia have shared their love of God with the people of the Diocese of Stockton for many years. “Our faith is the single most important part of our married life and in raising our children.”
Sylvia was born in Oakland, CA, and attended high school in Fresno. Her dad was a farm labor contractor, so her dad and mother moved and lived in many places before settling the family of nine in Stockton. Read More >>

Rev. J. Patrick 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 Read More >>