A Mass and community celebration is being planned to celebrate the Rev. Ken Deasy, a resident of La Cañada Flintridge from 1965 through 1979, and the 30th anniversary of his ordination as a Roman Catholic priest. As part of the celebration, Deasy will preside over an Anniversary Mass on Saturday, Sept. 30, at 5:30 p.m., followed by a fundraiser dinner for his nonprofit Father Ken’s Vineyard.
Deasy moved with his family to La Cañada Flintridge in time to begin at St. Bede School in September of 1965. Sometimes known as “Kenny,” Deasy was a Boy Scout, played La Cañada Little League and served as an altar boy. He graduated from St. Bede’s in 1968 and attended St. Francis High School.
It was at St. Francis that Deasy first felt his calling to the priesthood. He studied as a Franciscan and finished his preparation at St. Joseph Seminary in Camarillo, and was ordained as a Diocesan priest in 1987. Deasy said his first Mass as an ordained priest at St. Bede’s. He has returned many times since.
The Mass will be concelebrated by the Reverend of St. Bede’s, Monsignor Antonio Cacciapuoti and the Rev. Tony Marti, president of St. Francis High School. The St. Agatha Gospel Choir will sing. After Mass, a dinner fundraiser is planned in the courtyard of St. Francis High School. The event is sponsored by Father Ken’s Vineyard, a nonprofit corporation, organized by the Rev. Ken’s 8th-grade classmates. Among the friends and family attending the event will be Deasy’s sisters, Terry Deasy, Veronica Deasy Goodrich and Colleen Deasy Hurtz.
For tickets and to join in honoring Deasy, visit fatherken.org. For more information, email grapes@fatherken.org.
