My name is George Batchelder.  For the last 40 years, I have lived in the Diocese of Monterey as a Lector and Minister of Eucharist and have helped as well with other programs, most of the time at Star of the Sea Parish in Santa Cruz.  I was a teacher for 20 years and more recently, I have worked for non-profits including The St. Vincent DePaul Society and the Red Cross.  Some parishioners have been calling me Brother and others Father; both of which I find flattering.  I do not wear brown because I am not a Franciscan Friar.  I wear black because I am a Seminarian at St. Patrick's Seminary in Menlo Park.  Within 2 years (God willing) I will be ordained a priest for the Diocese of Montery.  Some of you may have noticed that I am a little old to be a Seminarian and may have thought that some people learn slower than others or just get a late start! 

During the school year, we are assigned to parish work and last year, I worked with the Friars in San Francisco in St. Boniface Parish.  During the Summer, the Bishop's Office makes assignments within the Diocese and I was fortunate enough to be selected to be here in San Miguel Parish.

I have also done Nursing Home Ministry, which I began when my father had to enter a skilled nursing facility.  Immediately before coming to San Miguel, I was an Intern Chaplin at Dominican Hospital.  During this time, I was able to be at my 94 year old mother's bedside when she took her last breath.  In the last two and a half years, I have experienced four significant deaths in my immediate family in Santa Cruz; Mother, Father, Brother-in-law and my Wife.  With God's help, I have faced death, aging parents and disabling illness.  If you would like to discuss your family situations, call the Parish Office and make an appointment and we can talk.  I may have some insights which you might find helpful.  If enough people are interested, perhaps we could start a Grief Ministry or a Support Group.  I am also knowledgeable on marriage, young and grown children.  I have 5 grandchildren, 3 children and was married for 39 years.

With Faith in Life Everlasting,

George Batchelder, M.A.