After 16 abundant years as priest in charge and rector, the Rev. Canon Mark Hallahan bade au revoir to a churchful of admirers and friends this afternoon at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Pomona.
Most of the seasons of his life so far were represented — a friend who remembered Mark coming over to the house as a little boy in Youngstown, Ohio, fellow Franciscans, colleagues from his two decades working with Catholic Worker and the housing justice movement in Los Angeles, and of course scores who love and will miss him from St. Paul’s.
I was along to invite God’s blessing on the festive luncheon that followed the service (where Mark presided and preached) and reassure the people of St. Paul’s that the Holy Spirit would continue to enliven the ministry Mark and they have built up of exquisite, inclusive worship and prophetic service. It was a treat to see Mark’s partner and spouse of 38 years, Jim Kenny, dean of modern languages st East Los Angeles City College. Attending were Mark’s clergy colleagues the Very Rev. Keith Yamamoto, Mark’s dean; the Rev. Canons Anne Tumilty and Judith A. Heffron; and the Rev. Stephen Huber and the Rev. Canon Ed Sniecienski.
