Pastoral Staff
Pastor
Father Michael Mahoney, OFM, Capuchin
Fr. Michael Mahoney followed in the footsteps of two of his uncles by joining the Capuchins in Ireland. He literally followed one of them, Fr. Emilian Meade, to the mission field of California. Since arriving in the US in 1977, Fr. Michael has worked hard in various parishes; always seeking to build up the parish community and also serve the needs of the greater community, for which reason he has been a member of the Rotary for many years. He served at Mission Santa Inés, where he felt at home with all his parishioners, whether Anglo, Hispanic or Chumash. We welcome him back to OLA!
Associate Pastor
Father Flavian Welstead, OFM, Capuchin
Fr. Flavian Welstead celebrated his 50th anniversary as a Capuchin this past year. He has lived many places. Born in Douglas, County Cork Ireland, he entered the Capuchins there in 1959 and later served as a missionary in Africa at the Sioma and Mangango Missions and in Livingstone in Zambia. He afterwards came to the U.S., serving in parishes in Oregon and California, as well as teaching at St. Francis High School. He was Provincial Development Director from 1989 until 1997. He is tireless in his ministry to others.
Associate Pastor
Father Michael James O’Shea, OFM, Capuchin
Fr. Michael James O’Shea is the Provincial Historian for Our Lady of Angels Province. A native of Cork City, Ireland, he was an altar server at the Capuchin Church there and became a friar in 1946. Right after ordination in May, 1954, he was assigned to CA and first stationed at St. Mary’s Church in Ukiah. Since then he has served in several parishes in the West and has worked as a teacher in Franciscan history for friars in formation. He spent several years in chaplaincy work, including two years as chaplain at the Federal Prison in Lompoc. Serving as the first Provincial Secretary from 1977-1985. He loves History, English Literature and Spirituality, and is currently a chaplain at Mills-Peninsula Hospital.
Associate Pastor
Father Brian McKenna, OFM, Capuchin
Father Brian has spent about 40 years in Parish Ministry in Oregon, Mexico, and California. Prior to coming to OLA he was at Mission Santa Ynez in Solvang. We are fortunate to have Fr. Brian with us and wish him much joy in his ministry here at OLA.“Twin brothers become twin Capuchins that is how the headline would read,” says Fr. Brian McKenna about the fact that both he and his twin brother, Fr. Jude, became friars in Ireland, despite promising careers in athletics. Both left Ireland to work for the Lord, Fr. Jude to Africa and Fr. Brian to Western America. Since then he has served in parishes and Oregon and California, as well as Yécora in Northern México. Fr. Brian entered the Capuchin order, with his twin brother, Jude, on October 4, 1958 in Ireland. In 2009, they celebrated their 51st Anniversay of entrance into the Capuchin Order. Fr. Brian was one of our Associate Pastor’s from 1989 to 1991 and returned to OLA in 2009.
Capuchin Development
Father Donal Burke, OFM, Capuchin
Fr. Donal Burke and his family were no strangers to the Capuchins. Four Capuchins were born and educated within 4 miles of his home in Cork, Ireland. The ’Brown Robes’ were regular visitors to his local parish as these Friars returned to visit their families. One of them was his uncle, Fr. Eustace Burke, who went as missionary to Zambia and died in Cape Town, South Africa at the age of thirty five. Donal, following in the footsteps of his uncle, heard the call of God also and joined the Capuchins. After being ordained a priest he came to the USA in 1975 and has ministered in California and Oregon.
Provincial
Father Matt Elshoff, OFM, Capuchin
Fr. Matthew Elshoff not only attended St. Francis High School as a student, but also served there for many years. Until his recent election as Minister Provincial in June, 2008, he was President of the school and worked hard to make sure it prospered not only academically, but also as a place where Franciscan virtues could be taught and practiced by both faculty and students. Over the years Fr. Matt has also served the province as a formation director, vocation director, and a marriage and family counselor.