New priest for Colusa County's Sacred Heart Parish
The Rev. Derek LaBranch has loved the Roman Catholic Mass since an early age.
So much that LaBranch's own pastor recognized his calling to the priesthood long before he did.
The new priest for Colusa County's Sacred Heart Parish describes himself as studious, organized and a bit of a practical jokester. He's a captain in the Air Force Reserves, has a master's degree in education and loves the outdoors.
But it's Mass where the 30-year-old priest finds himself closest to God and his parishioners.
"It's where heaven and earth meet," said LaBranch, who was assigned to the parish in July by the Sacramento Diocese.
LaBranch grew up attending Mass at St. Mel Parish in Fair Oaks. His mother, a youth authority officer, came from a large Irish Catholic family. His father, a U. S. Army commander, converted when his son was in high school.
LaBranch was in the fifth grade when he first served his priest, the late Rev. Richard Doheny, at Mass.
"Afterward, he said to me, 'You're going to be the first bishop from this parish," recalled LaBranch. "I replied, 'Bishop? I didn't know I was going to be a priest.'"
LaBranch had envisioned becoming a teacher and doing what my grandfather did — travel to Ireland, marry a red-headed woman and have 10 children.
But those thoughts gave way as he grew in his faith, the love for the church and the celebration of the Mass.
He earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Mount Angel Seminary in St. Benedict, Ore., a master's degree in education from the University of San Francisco, a master's degree in divinity and a master of arts degree from the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas.
LaBranch is administrator of the Sacred Heart Parish, which includes the mission Church of the Annunciation in Williams, Holy Cross in Arbuckle, St. Mary of the Mountain in Stonyford and Sacred Heart in Maxwell.
His parishioners describe him as fun and energetic and believe he will be good for the community.
"He's a breath of fresh air," said Jean Moore of Williams. "He has a great sense of humor, and is very different from what we have had in the past. He has a lot of things planned for us as we go forward."
"What Father Derek has accomplished already at 30 is amazing," said Karen Riordan of Maxwell. "He's done so much. He's patriotic and serves his country. I'm really hoping he connects with our young people to bring them back to the church."
LaBranch replaces the Rev. Oscar Gomez-Medina, who has taken another assignment.
"My coming here was quite sudden," LaBranch said. "I didn't expect it. I've only been ordained two years. I'm grateful the bishop has confidence in me."
Faced with the challenges of serving four communities and providing separate services for the Spanish-speaking, LaBranch has already begun shuffling schedules to fit everyone in, including Arbuckle, which was previously served by a priest from Woodland, an expense to the parish of more than $500 a year.
LaBranch said he didn't mind driving from one service to the next on Sunday as long as he didn't have to do it at 80 mph.
LaBranch has settled in Maxwell and hopes to stay on this assignment for at least six years. He serves the military two weeks each year, is chaplain for the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, is on the board of directors for Camp Pendola, a youth ministry camp, and belongs to other religious affiliations.
He said he is grateful for the assistance of the Rev. John Miles, former Sacred Heart priest now retired in Maxwell.
"I hope people are happy with me," LaBranch said. "Sometimes I forget what language I'm using," said LaBranch, who speaks Spanish, although admittedly a bit rusty after not using it in two years. "But we are one community of faith, love and hope on our journey to God. I believe God has me here for a reason."
Contact Susan Meeker at 458-2121 or smeeker@tcnpress.com.
