In my unredeemed human nature, my favorite scripture passage is 2 Thes 3:10b. "Those who do not work should not eat, because I am not as merciful as is God". To redeem my sinful nature, my favorite is Mark 5:37 "Fear is useless. What is needed is trust." In my redeemed nature, my favorite is Psalm 63, "Oh, God, you are my God. For you I long. For you my soul is searching. My body pines for you like a dry weary land without water."

Father Richard Perozich

 I am the first of 4 children born to an intact Catholic family in Clairton Pennsylvania. My parents worshiped every Sunday. I went to Catholic school for 7 years and hated it. I vowed never to go to Catholic school again. I was graduated from Clairton High School in 1969, and from the University of Pennsylvania in 1973 with a B.S. in Physical Therapy. After 14 years of practice including a M.S. in Sports Science, I entered the seminary and was ordained in 1992.

My difficulties in becoming a priest lie in others' reaction to my frankness in expression of how I view life and life situations. The bishop did not want to ordain me. Several priests fought against my ordination as well despite the fact I had good marks and a chaste seminary life.

I was told I was placed at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in San Ysidro because my ability to speak some Spanish at that time was better than that of other ordinands. After 2 years, I served from 94-95 as pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe El Centro. From 95-2003 as pastor of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. From March 2004-June 2006, I served in mission at Santiago Apóstol church in San Pedro Sula, Honduras until my appointment here.

God always has been there to provide for my needs, to frustrate my plans when they were not in accord with his will.