COMMEMORATING HIS LIFE AND CHURCH VOCATION - THE FUNERAL OF FATHER STEVEN FOPPIANO.............

The 57.5 years of Steven Eugene Foppiano's earthly life journey - May 7, 1956 - October 29, 2013; and the 11.5 years of Reverend Father Steven Foppiano's priestly ministry - May 27, 2002    - October 29, 2013; was commemorated at his Funeral Mass in St. Clare's Catholic Church in West Roseville this morning.  Bishop of Sacramento + Jaime Soto, Bishop Emeritus +William Keith Weigand, Bishop Emeritus +Francis Anthony Quinn, and 71 priests, concelebrated  the Funeral Mass in the gathering of 7 deacons, several professed religious, and more than a 1,200 full church of parishioners past and present, along with his legion of eclectic friends. Deacon Richard Griggs, who along with his wife Judy, cared for Father Steven who they took into their home in the last weeks of his life, delivered a profound eulogy and Reverend Father Michael Hendrickson, of the Diocese of San Jose; a seminary classmate preached a personal and ministry driven Homily on Father Steve; and the Episcopal remarks after Communion about Father Steven Foppiano, by Bishop Soto, underscored his appreciation for the courage and wisdom of the priestly ministry Steve carried out in the parishes of St. Clare's in West Roseville, and St. Thomas More, in Paradise.  As I sat in my wheelchair worshipping  and praying,with our bishops, my brother priests, and the deacons, religious, and the assembled people of God, in the final liturgical rites and commendation of Father Steven's life and ministry, remembering the day in early 1995, when I was Pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Oroville; he met with me to discuss his decision to enter the seminary and become a priest, I happily responded and requested one thing of him : that he choose to become a Sacramento diocesan priest, because the Sacramento Diocese needed him most.  I am proud he did and will forever respect and admire his decision and contribution to our Diocese.  Although , nature and the mystery of God gave him brevity in ordained ministry as a Priest of Jesus Christ, the impact and effectiveness of what he has done in just two canonical presbyteral appointments, will endure well into the future.  Strikingly, having those two only parish priest assignments as Pastor and Parochial Vicar, may rank him second in Sacramento Diocesan History to the one and only parish placement and priestly assignment of my childhood Pastor, Boss, Mentor, Second Father, and Dearest Personal Friend - Reverend Monsignor Edward J. Kavanagh, at St. Rose's-St. Patrick's, in South Sacramento.  Eternal Rest, Peace, and Light, Be Yours Forever Father. Steve in the Joy of God's Heavenly Kingdom.............Happy St. Charles Borromeo Feast Day on this my 'Heinz' 57 Birthday !!!.............Reverend Father Troy David "Charles Edward" Powers