PASTOR HISTORY
Our pastor was born here in San Antonio on May 31, 1944. He grew up in St. Gerard's Parish on the east side of town. The Redemptorists staffed this parish. Hearing an inner call to the ordained priesthood, he consulted with priests of his parish and went to the Redemptorist High School Seminary in September 1958 at Kirkwood, Missouri. He completed his seminary studies in June 1971 at Mount St. Alphonsus Seminary in Esopus, New York (the Hudson Valley).
On June 20, 1970 our pastor was ordained to the priesthood at his home parish, St. Gerard, by the Archbishop of San Antonio, Francis J. Furey. In the 1970's he worked at Redemptorist parishes in Detroit, Seattle, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and San Antonio while he preached parish missions, Marriage Encounters, and promoted the Liguorian magazine.
In July 1978 our pastor formally joined the Archdiocese of San Antonio. He was associate pastor of St. James Parish, Seguin; St. Michael Parish, Weimar; Blessed Sacrament Parish and Holy Spirit Parish, San Antonio. In June 1987 Archbishop Patrick Flores appointed him to form a new parish north of Loop 1604 between Blanco and Bulverde Roads. The first formal Masses were celebrated on the weekend of the Feast of the Holy Trinity - thus, our name. In 1998 Archbishop Flores honored our pastor with the title of Monsignor.
An avid scholar, Msgr. Fater enrolled in the summer theology program at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN 1991-1994. In 1995 he graduated with an MA in Theology (in the specific branch of theology known as liturgy).
From seminary days our pastor has enjoyed playing tennis. In recent years he has moved from the tennis court to the fitness center in an effort to keep healthy. In June of 1999 he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent radical surgery to remove the tumor. He attributes his rapid recovery to his excellent physical condition. He attributes his cure to the prayers of our parishioners and of so many other friends.
Msgr. Fater feels specially blessed for all the years of his priesthood, for the many lives he has been privileged to touch with the saving love of God. His own recent illness has reminded him how fragile is this precious gift of life. He just wants to be there for you - ministering God's goodness.
