REVEREND FREDERICK K.A. KUTUBEBI, PASTOR
Reverend Father Frederick K.A. Kutubebi, M.Div., M.A., M.S. Ed., BCC. – Pastor
I was born in a small town called Shama, in the western part of Ghana. My parents were, Mr. John K.A. Kutubebi and Madam Christina Duku, both of blessed memory. My local name is Kofi Ackon. I am called Kofi because I was born on a Friday and Ackon means I am the ninth and last born of my mother Christina.
I come from a very large family. I have a lot of brothers and sisters, nephews, nieces, grand-nephews, grand-nieces and cousins.
I started my elementary school in Shama from 1974 to 1983. I passed the Seminary entrance examination and went to the Minor Seminary in Amisano, a village near Elmina in Ghana, from 1983 to 1990. From 1990 to 1993 I completed my year of spirituality and philosophy at St. Paul’s Catholic Seminary in Sowutuom near Achimota, Accra, the capital of Ghana.
From 1994 to 1997 I completed my theology studies and was ordained to the Catholic Priesthood on July 27, 1997. I have been a priest for 14 years. After my ordination I was assigned as an Associate Pastor to the Pro-Cathedral Parish in Sekondi in the western part of Ghana. After 7 months, I was given another assignment to be a Teacher-Chaplain in Non-Catholic Institutions in the gold mining town called Tarkwa. I served in this capacity for 7 years.
In 2005, I applied for study leave and pursued Master’s programs at St. John’s University in Jamaica-Queens, New York and worked as a Chaplain in Catholic Health Services of Long Island in the Diocese of Rockville Center. After my master’s programs I was hired by Queen of the valley Medical Center in Napa Valley, California. Currently I am the Parish Administrator of Holy Family Catholic Church, American Canyon-California.
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
NACC BOARD CERTIFIED CHAPLAIN, (MILWAUKEE, 2010).
M.S. Ed. (Master of Science in Education), (St. John’s University, Queens, NY 2009).
M.A. (Master of Arts in Theology), (St John’s University, Queens, NY 2007).
Professional Master’s Degree in Divinity (St. Peter’s Regional Seminary, Ghana, 1997).
Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy (St. Paul’s Catholic Seminary, Ghana, 1995).
High School Diploma (St. Teresa’s Seminary, (Ghana, 1990).
WORK EXPERIENCE
Manager of Pastoral Care Department at North Shore LIJ – Glen Cove, New York
Several years of experience as a Chaplain.
Chaplain in Catholic Health Services of Long Island (CHS) 2003 to 2010 (General).
Glen Cove North Shore Hospital (LIJ) 2005 to 2010.
With four (4) Nursing Homes/ Rehabilitation Centers;
Poplar Hill Nursing Home
Glengariff Nursing Home
Glen Cove Rehabilitation Center
Marquis Nursing Home
North Shore Hospital (LIJ) – Plainview – 2005
Long Beach Medical Center – Long Beach – 2005
North Shore University Hospital (LIJ) – Manhasset -2004, 2005 (800 Beds)
North Shore Hospital (LIJ) – Huntington – July, 2003.
Seven years teaching experience at high school level.
Taught Christian Religious Studies and Religious and Moral Education
Member of Guidance and Counseling Committee
Member of Disciplinary Committee
Chairman of Chapel Committee
LANGUAGES: Speaks English and Fanti fluently and can read and write Greek, Hebrew, Latin and French.
ACTIVITIES
Chaplain at North Shore Hospital (LIJ) – Glen Cove, Long Island. And also
Attached to St. Boniface Martyr Church, Sea Cliff, NY.
Completed Virtus Program, Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn.
Served in the Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn (St. Peter Claver Church).
Served in Sts. Jerome and Aloysius Parishes, Catholic Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Completed Acculturation Course at St. John’s University, Queens. NY
Completed American English Pronunciation Course at Molloy College. NY
Completed a course in Cross-Cultural Communication Skills at Molloy College. NY
Completed Master’s in Theology Program at St. John’s University, Queens, NY.
Completed Master of Science Degree in Education at St. John’s University, Queens, NY.
Chaplain at Queen of the Valley Medical Center, Napa-California.The Parish Administrator at Holy Family Church, American Canyon-California.
MICHAEL SIMMONS
Deacon
I was a third year candidate in the diaconate formation program of the Santa Rosa diocese in 1993 when I started a prayer group in American Canyon. That prayer group grew into the faith community we know today as Holy Family Parish. I was ordained as a permanent deacon in 1995 and has served the parish and community tirelessly ever since.
I was born in Oakland grew up in San Francisco. Attended high school in South San Francisco and graduated from Washington High School in Fremont, California. I served with the United Staes Navy in the Submarine Service for eight years. I have been married for 49 years to Ann, together we have four children, two grandchildren and one great grandchild. I am retired from the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in 1994 and also served as a volunteer firefighter for the City of American Canyon for 23 years. I served with the St. Vincent DePaul society for eight years and also served on the St. Vincent DePaul Council , Napa Council as President.
I was the first deacon to serve Holy Family and will always be one of the “rocks” on which the parish is built upon.
VICTOR LEACH
Deacon
I have been married to Maria Teresa Leach for 26 years. We have two daughters, our oldest Victoria, is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, New York, with a degree in Pastry Arts. Our youngest daughter, Tara, is a classic ballerina with the Philippine Ballet Theater. I am a graduate of St. Mary’s College, Moraga with a Bachelor’s degree in Leadership and Organizational Studies. I was ordained to the order of the Permanent Deaconate in August 2012 and have been serving the Catholic Community of American Canyon since. Marie and I enjoy dining out, watching movies and traveling.
