Father Mese celebrates 10 years as priest




Father Prasanna Mese throws his hands in the air in celebration as Orlando Garza pops confetti in the air during the parade on Saturday afternoon at St. Andrew Catholic Church. Please see more photos on 3A. REBECCA PESQUEDA | PLEASANTON EXPRESS

Father Prasanna Mese throws his hands in the air in celebration as Orlando Garza pops confetti in the air during the parade on Saturday afternoon at St. Andrew Catholic Church. Please see more photos on 3A. REBECCA PESQUEDA | PLEASANTON EXPRESS

This past weekend, Father Prasanna Mese of St. Andrew Catholic Church in Pleasanton celebrated 10 years of ordination. With the current circumstances surrounding COVID-19, all church services are now being streamed online via the Saint Andrew Catholic Church Facebook page, meaning parishioners have not been able to see Father Mese in person. As their way of celebrating his 10-year anniversary, parishioners held a drivethru parade in the parking lot of the church on Saturday.

“It’s just our way of saying thank you to him for his years of service to our community and so that he can celebrate with everyone at a safe distance,” said Sonya Ortiz. “Also, so that he can see all of us. We know that he misses us.”

Over 100 cars decorated with streamers, balloons and signs lined up on Fourth St. and made their way through the church parking lot where Father Mese greeted them. Deacons Joey Moczygemba and Kurt Warnkin even blessed the families and their vehicles with Holy Water. Children and adults dropped off balloons, stuffed animals and Easter eggs filled with candy and monetary donations for the church. Please more photos on 5A.

Father Mese breaks down dancing to “Gangnam Stlye” by PSY as Stacy and Destinie Parks’ family drives by. REBECCA PESQUEDA | PLEASANTON EXPRESS

Father Mese breaks down dancing to “Gangnam Stlye” by PSY as Stacy and Destinie Parks’ family drives by. REBECCA PESQUEDA | PLEASANTON EXPRESS

St. Andrew parishioners, from left, Betty Castro, Brenda Treviño and Elvia Camarillo.

St. Andrew parishioners, from left, Betty Castro, Brenda Treviño and Elvia Camarillo.

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