My full name is Michael Fernando Thomas Purugganan Gazzingan, the first born of Bonifacio Talamayan Gazzingan and Eufrosina Gazzingan Y Purugganan. I was born on January 28, 1976—the eldest of three. My younger brother, Fr. Mark, is also a priest, and the present Pastor of St. Victor’s Parish in San Jose. Priesthood runs in the family. I have two grand uncles who were Bishops in the Philippines. People close to me call him Gelo or simply Michael or Mike. I went to the seminary at the age of thirteen. I love to play basketball and later shifted to tennis. (I am looking for a tennis buddy now on Mondays.)
Temporarily in residence at the St. Albert the Great Rectory mid-July to the end of August, Fr. Franklin Epie (eppie-ay) returns to our parish from Cameroon, in Africa. While he is on vacation this summer, he will assist our parish with both daily and Sunday Masses. He has been able to visit the last three summers. This will be especially helpful when Fr. Matt and Fr. Peter take their summer vacation. Welcome back, Fr. Epie!