After completing his Masters of Divinity at the Washington Theological Union in Washington D.C., Fr. Olson was ordained at St. James Cathedral in Seattle, WA in June of 1983. He served as Associate at St. Alphonsus in Seattle, St. Luke in Shoreline and at Sacred Heart in Bellevue. He was then appointed Pastor of St. Rose de Viterbo in Longview WA where he served for seven years. Fr. Olson was appointed Pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Vancouver in 1996 which was his last assignment before coming to St. Mary Magdalen Parish/St. John Mission. According to St. Joseph’s website, Fr. Olson is known for successfully recruiting many young men to the seminary and for working Parochial Vicars unmercifully! He enjoys gardening, creating and collecting church art and working with wood.

Father Matthew Oakland

Father Matthew Oakland never considered the priesthood until the end of his senior year of high school. At Western Washington University, he was “very active” in campus ministry, helping with bible studies, retreats, liturgy and other activities, but during his sophomore year he realized that his “discernment was continually on the back burner.” He transferred to the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio and entered their pre-theologate program. “There I could go to daily Mass, spend time in the presence of our Lord with perpetual adoration and had the fraternity of 60 others who were also discerning,” he said. Growing up, he was “heavily involved” with several environmental service groups, “helping guard and restore some of God’s creation. “But over time my focus shifted,” he said. “I realized that helping people materially was a good thing, but there is something so much more that we can do, and that is to bring them Christ. … Only he can offer eternal life.” He looks forward to celebrating the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and reconciliation, and sharing in “the most intimate moments” of his parishioners’ lives. “To bring Christ into those moments is a sacred duty, and a great joy,” he said.

Deacon David Alcorta

Deacon Dave was ordained in the Archdiocese of Seattle in 2003; married to Dora, they have a son David and a Daughter Alexandria (Sandy) and seven grandchildren. Dcn. Dave retired from a career in Human service for local, state and federal government. He was appointed by the governor as State Commissioner for Vocational Education, State Social and Health Service Administrator, Author of an award winning children’s book “Stony and Goliath”, volunteers for the American Red Cross at national disasters. He was inducted into his high school hall of fame in 2009 as a Texas State Tennis Champion; Master’s degrees in Social Work and Pastoral Leadership.