Fr. McKearney, Congen Paynor, Mrs. Paynor, Ms. Hizon, and Fr. Myers posed infront of the St. Patrick Seminary and University in Menlo Park, California

Philippine Consul General to San Francisco  Marciano A. Paynor, Jr. and Mrs. Teresita B. Paynor made a visit/tour of  St. Patrick's Seminary & University on Thursday, August 19, 2010 upon the   invitation of Father James Mckeraney , President/Rector through  Ms. Nellie Hizon, member of the Seminary Board of Regents.

Fr. McKearney, and Fr. Myers, Vice President for Seminary External Affairs welcomed the Consul General and Mrs. Paynor  The highlight of their  tour  was a  briefing  on the current enrollment and recent history of Filipino seminarians and their unique contribution to the Church in the United States.  The priests thanked Consul General Paynor and Mrs. Paynor for their visit and for their desire to help spread the good news of what this institution does for the Church and society. 

The Philippine Consulate General maintains a dynamic partnership with the Bay area’s Catholic Church leaders  through  Filipino priests and community leaders  in helping  promote Filipino religious customs and traditions in the US such as the  well-known Simbang Gabi.   In 2009, the Archdiocese of San Francisco officially recognized the significant spiritual aspect of this Filipino tradition through a “Simbang Gabi Commissioning.”  Now held annually, the Commissioning ceremony is about sending the Filipino community on a mission to be the light in their respective parishes. END