Saint Malachy parishioners welcome Father Mark Maxon

Father Mark Maxon was welcomed to St. Malachy Catholic Church on November 21 and 22 as he celebrated weekend Masses for the parish. Serving the Catholic parishioners of Tehachapi begins another chapter of his Priesthood. His previous assignments were Associate Pastor at Saint Francis of Assisi Church in Bakersfield and most recently, Associate Pastor at Good Shepherd Church in Visalia.

His childhood was spent in Tucson, Arizona where he grew up in a family of seven boys and one girl; he, being the eighth and youngest. His traditional Catholic upbringing by dedicated parents gave him a profound belief in God and his Catholic faith and, in his boyhood, also brought him to the altar as an acolyte. The Maxon children learned all phases of the construction business; a business owned and operated by their father. His family, whom he described as, "enjoying the outdoors" has always been involved in activities such as camping, hiking, hunting and fishing. "Father Mark" still pursues them as a hobby.

Educated in both parochial and public schools, he later finished college at the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science in Hydrology. His professional career includes work in construction, military service (U.S. Army), environmental and civil engineering. Feeling a strong call to serve the Catholic Church as a priest he applied and was accepted into the Seminarian Program for the Diocese of Fresno in 2006, studying at St. John's Seminary in Camarillo. He was ordained by Bishop Armando Ochoa to the Deaconate in June 2011 and as a priest on May 19, 2012 at Saint Anthony of Padua Church in Fresno.

His interest in liturgical music encompasses a wide variety that includes both traditional and contemporary. Musicians at St. Malachy's are looking forward to working with him and sharing ideas.

Father Maxon states: "It is an honor and a privilege to serve at the request of Bishop Ochoa. I am truly blessed to be here and I ask for your prayers and will be praying for you as well."