Associate Pastor

Fr. Michael Mesa grew up in Philips Ranch, California, raised by his mother and father, along with his younger brother. For college he attended the University of Southern California, majoring in Biological Sciences, and he had originally hoped to pursue a career in medicine. However, after graduation, while working at USC as a Laboratory Manager, he began to grow in his Catholic faith; in 2011 becoming a parishioner at the Cathedral, and soon after, the thought of priesthood began to grow in his heart.

He entered St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo in 2013 and after seven amazing years at St. John’s, he graduated in May 2020, earning his Master of Divinity. Fr. Michael’s journey to the priesthood was filled with a lot of prayer, interior growth, and most importantly deepening friendship with Jesus. As a seminarian, he ministered at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

On August 8, 2020, after enduring a quarantine and a delayed ordination date, Fr. Michael and his classmates were ordained in the first outdoor ordination due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  His first Mass was celebrated at the Cathedral on August 9, 2020. His first parish assignment was Holy Family in Glendale, were he served as an associate Pastor. In July 2023, Fr. Michael was assigned to the Cathedral as Associate Pastor and Master of Ceremonies for Archbishop.

On a personal level he enjoys nature, the ‘outdoors’, hiking, running, cooking and spending time with friends.