First published in the July 7 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
St. Bede parishioners recently welcomed the Rev. Jim Bevacqua as he celebrated his first Mass as the new pastor last Friday.
He joins St. Bede after having served the past 14 years as pastor at Holy Family Catholic Church in Glendale.
Bevacqua’s arrival comes on the heels of a special farewell celebration on Sunday, June 26, for the Rev. Antonio Cacciapuoti, who served as St. Bede pastor for the past 12 years. He leaves St. Bede to begin his new role as pastor at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles.
Bevacqua’s immediate priority is to “learn the priorities of St. Bede’s parish and school and see how we can continue to meet the spiritual needs of so many,” he said.
Originally from Ohio, he has been ordained for 19 years and previously served at Holy Trinity Church in San Pedro and St. Philip’s in Pasadena. Prior to joining St. John’s Seminary at the age of 38, he worked as a certified public accountant in New York City and had a number of careers before working at Touchstone Pictures in Burbank.
“After my aspirations of becoming a movie producer waned and, ironically, drove me to the seminary, I was blessed to serve in various roles, most recently at Holy Family Glendale,” said Bevacqua, who says he enjoys to eat, travel, work out at the gym, surf, ski, hike, read, watch movies and cheer for the Lakers. “I had a great experience there, learned a lot, made many friends, grew spiritually, gained some ‘seasoning’ as a pastor, and was stretched and molded in many ways.
“Now, I am really looking forward to my new assignment,” he added. “As the new pastor at St. Bede, I certainly look forward to getting to know the community and hope to build bridges and help us all grow deeper in our faith and love for the Lord and for one another.”
On transitioning the St. Bede pastor role, Cacciapuoti said that “in working closely with Father Jim this past month, I assure you he is a man of God and ready to embark on his new journey. I know he will continue to walk with you and guide you on the road to heaven.”
St. Bede the Venerable is located at 215 Foothill Blvd. in La Cañada Flintridge. For additional information, contact Lori Shackel, St. Bede’s director of advancement at (818) 949-4376, or visit bede.org.
