(From L-R) Father Earl Henley, MSC, Father John Kavcak, MSC, and Father Michael Onwuemelie, CSSP.

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As the ministerial year ended June 30, three longtime and beloved priests transitioned to retirement - Father Earl Henley, MSC, Father John Kavcak, MSC, and Father Michael Onwuemelie, CSSP. Fr. Henley served as the Diocesan Director of the Native American Ministry from 2000-2025 and remained in service to the ministry from 2025-26. Fr. Henley will be retiring to an MSC residence in Pennsylvania. Fr. Kavcak served as the pastor at several diocesan parishes including, St. Joseph, Upland from 1995-1999, Our Lady of Guadalupe and Our Lady of Solitude parishes in Palm Springs from 2005-2013, and St. Theresa parish in Palm Springs from 2013-2026. Fr. Onwuemelie served as the pastor of Holy Spirit parish in Hemet from 2015- 2026. Fr. Kavcak and Fr. Onwuemelie will remain in their respective Palm Springs and Hemet areas to be available for supply help. We thank Fr. Henley, Fr. Kavcak, and Fr. Onwuemelie for their years of dedicated service and may God continue to bless them in this new journey of retirement!