On Aug. 10, The Reverend Brian Palmer will become the first Palisadian to be ordained as a priest at The Parish of St. Matthew. The event also marks the Parish’s first on-site ordination.
The Right Reverend J. Jon Bruno, D.D., Bishop Diocesan of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles will be coming to the Palisades for a celebration of Palmer’s contributions to the Parish and the community.
Linda Meeks, a member of the St. Matthew’s congregation, said, “Brian’s passion is caring for the sick and dying, and he draws no line between those who are in our parish and those who are not members. He’s truly a ‘village priest.’”
Photo courtesy of Laura Meeks
Palmer will be newly ordained as a priest in a few weeks, but he is certainly not a new face in the Palisades. He can be found outside of Starbucks marking foreheads on Ash Wednesday, hosting open-invitation wellness workshops at the Parish and heading a local grief support group in addition to his work in pastoral care.
“It’s such a privilege to journey with people in their lives in times of sorrow and in times of joy,” Palmer said.
As an ordained priest, Palmer will be able to bless people, celebrate the mass and conduct official duties like marriage. Palmer is looking forward to the ordination itself.
“The ordination is a metaphor for who we are and how we contribute to one another’s lives in the Palisades,” Palmer said. “It’s a celebration because it’s the community that builds me up.”
The community is invited to Palmer’s ordination on Sunday, Aug. 10 at 10:30 a.m. at The Parish of St. Matthew, 1031 Bienveneda Ave.
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