Sr. Kathleen Griffin, PBVM

Funeral Mass was celebrated Sept. 5 at the Presentation Motherhouse in San Francisco for Sister of the Presentation Kathleen Griffin, who died Aug. 31. She had been a Sister of the Presentation for 70 years and, in July, celebrated her Jubilee of Grace.

A native of San Francisco, she began her ministry in elementary Catholic education in 1944. She taught for more than 30 years in both Northern and Southern California. Locally, she served as principal at St. Benedict, Montebello (1955-1961); Our Lady of Loretto, Los Angeles (1964-65); and Holy Trinity, San Pedro (1968-1973).

In 1978, Sister Griffin began a new ministry as archivist for the Sisters of the Presentation. During her tenure as archivist, she established a professional system for processing, identifying, storing and accepting hundreds of photographs and documents. She was instrumental in establishing the Biography Project, which resulted in “Presentation Women, A Legacy of Vision, Faith and Service,” a publication containing a biography of each Presentation Sister from 1854-2004 to mark the Sisters’ 150th anniversary.

Interment took place at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma. Memorial contributions may be sent to Sisters of the Presentation, Development Office, 281 Masonic Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94118.

Fr. John Hencier, CMF

Funeral Mass was celebrated Sept. 4 at San Gabriel Mission for Claretian Father John Hencier, 87, who died Aug. 28 at St. John of God Retirement Center in Los Angeles.

Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, he made his first vows as a Claretian in 1970 at the age of 45. Two years later, he was ordained a priest at Claretville Seminary in Calabasas. He subsequently served in assignments in Colorado, Arizona and Texas.

In 1996, he returned to Southern California, serving a couple of months at the Casa Claret Dominguez Retreat Center in Rancho Dominguez before becoming an associate pastor at San Gabriel Mission Church. He ministered at the mission from 1996 to 2008 until his retirement.

According to his fellow Claretians, he will always be remembered for his availability, dedication and compassion as a missionary. Donations in his memory may be sent to the Claretian Missionaries at 10203 Lower Azusa Road, Temple City, CA 91780.