tvc.dsj.org | May 7, 2019
THANK YOU BISHOP MCGRATH
37
Reflections from Father Francis Kalaw and John Ottoboni
(Editor’s note -- Father Francis Kalaw
was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop
McGrath in 2018).
Q -- When was the first time you
met the Bishop?
A -- I first met Bishop PJ at one of
the vocations event of the diocese.
It was the closing Mass of the 40
days for prayer for vocation at the
Carmelite Monastery in Santa Clara.
Q -- What was he like then com-
pared to how he is now?
From John Ottoboni, former General
Counsel for the Diocese of San Jose
Q -- When was the first time you
met the Bishop?
A-- Approximately 20 years ago.
Q -- What was he like then com-
pared to how he is now?
A -- His pastoral gifts, his kindness,
his ability to reach out to all, and his
generosity of spirit were immediately
evident. So too were his leadership skills
and his marvelous sense of humor. These
A -- The respect that I have for
him grew even further. His fatherly
concern is truly felt especially for
people discerning the vocation to
the priesthood.
Q -- Reflect on his time as Bishop
of the Diocese of San Jose. What
stands out to you?
A -- What stood out for me was
his leadership. He took that respon-
sibility seriously. As a leader, he
was not simply an administrator but
truly a shepherd and a father to all.
gifts he both shared and expanded upon
over the years especially given the chal-
lenges facing the Church during these
times. Over these years as bishop, he, in
his own compassionate, pastoral way, has
sculptured the souls and spiritual life
of the 600,000 Catholics of our Diocese.
Q -- Reflect on his time as Bishop of
the Diocese of San Jose. What stands
out to you?
A -- It was a blessing to work with
him over the past 19 years. My immedi-
ate impressions of P.J. (though I usually
As a seminarian and now a priest,
I will always remember his concern
for my family. Each time I see him,
the first thing he would ask would
be, “How’s your mother? Is she do-
ing well?”
Q -- Anything you would like to
say to the Bishop as he heads into the
next chapter of his life?
A -- I promise to keep you always
in my prayers. Truly grateful for
all your years spent to serve our
Diocese. May God bless you always!
called him “Bishop”) as reflected in my
initial meetings with him were con-
firmed. But more than that --his ability
to lead and shepherd our Diocese dur-
ing a particularly difficult period for the
Church was exemplary. Simply stated,
his compassion and love for each and
every member of the Diocese reaffirmed
the teachings set forth in the Gospel.
His Coat of Arms motto” Together in
Christ” was and is a motto that he lives
with and does so with an understated
and unsung humility. My family and
I are blessed to have P.J. as a friend,
Father Francis Kalaw, right, with Bishop
Patrick McGrath, Bishop Carlos Sevilla and
his mother after his ordination.
Photo courtesy of Jen Vazquez
a friendship that we treasure. When
Nancy passed (seven years ago this
June), we will never forget his presiding
at her Celebration of Life Mass and the
tearful extra blessing he gave her.
Q -- Anything you would like to say
to the Bishop as he heads into the next
chapter of his life?
A -- P.J.: My Family and I wish you a
blessed and joyous continuation of your
journey. Keep your smile and continue
to share it -- it speaks volumes to all.
Keep in touch, John.