Father George T. Snyder, Jr., was born in Olongapo City in the Philippines 48 years ago. For him, the call to the priesthood started very early. His mom, who is a devout Catholic, offered the unborn child she was carrying to serve God. Early on he felt a desire to be a priest, studying the priests at Mass on Sundays and imitating them by donning a white sheet for his vestments.
 
In 1986, Father George and his family (he has 4 brothers) immigrated to Calif., taking up residence in Vallejo. Father George went to work for 10 years for an electronics firm in Petaluma, Ca., as an electrical discharge machine operator.
 
Father George entered Mt. Angel Seminary in St. Benedict, Ore., in 1998 and graduated with honors, earning a bachelor of arts degree in Philosophy. In 2002, he attended St. Patrick Seminary and University in Menlo Park for a year of theological studies. Then he was accepted and moved on to the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, where he earned a masters in divinity degree in 2007.
 
He was ordained to the Priesthood on June 29, 2007, and was assigned as a Parochial Vicar at St. Mel Parish in Fair Oaks for three years. In 2010, Father George was appointed Pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Redding and St. Michael Mission in Shasta Lake California where he also served as the Vicar Forane (Dean) for the Shasta Deanery.
 
As he begins his ministry at St. Clare Parish, Father George looks forward to meeting everyone and finding out about each of the ministries in the Church community. Please introduce yourself to Father George and welcome him to the parish.