I write this message with so much joy in my heart. To serve as State Chaplain for the Catholic Daughters of the Americas – California never crossed my mind … but then again, the Lord is a Lord of surprises, and He reveals His plans in the manner and timing He sees fit, sometimes, if not always, so different from what we imagine!

I am Father John Erick Tabago Villa, a priest from the Diocese of Oakland in the Bay Area. Originally from the Philippines, my seminary journey began at the Lorenzo Mission Institute, the missionary seminary of the Archdiocese of Manila in 2003 after earning my Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science at the University of the Philippines. Taking a break in formation for about four years, I then worked as a Business Development Manager for Loyola Group Sales and Marketing in Makati. Four years after, in 2012, the Lord brought me the United States to continue priestly formation at Saint Patrick’s Seminary & University in Menlo Park where I received my bachelor’s degree in Sacred Theology and master’s Degree in Divinity in 2016.

I write this message with so much joy in my heart. To serve as State Chaplain for the Catholic Daughters of the Americas – California never crossed my mind … but then again, the Lord is a Lord of surprises, and He reveals His plans in the manner and timing He sees fit, sometimes, if not always, so different from what we imagine!

Only through the grace of God, I was ordained priest by Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ on May 13, 2016, and served first as parochial vicar at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Brentwood for four years. My ordination taking place on the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima and my first assignment as priest are truly provident, given my strong devotion to the Blessed Mother. In fact, it was at this Brentwood church where I first met the Catholic Daughters of the Americas – right while a local court was being founded there through the initiative of Tess Chiampas who, before contracting COVID and eventually passing), invited me to consider serving as State Chaplain.

Prior to the pandemic, I was involved in the Cursillo Movement, Magnificat SOTI and Legion of Mary as Spiritual Director. I am concurrently the Executive Director of the Marian Conferences hosted in Brentwood and the Convenor of the Youth Conference which was recently held at Saint Raymond Catholic Church in Dublin where I am currently assigned as Parochial Administrator since April 2020.

I am looking forward for many ways we can all grow together in our Faith, guided by the inspiration and example of the Blessed Mother who leads us always to the heart of Jesus Christ, our Lord and King! I am blessed to be the lone thorn amongst the roses – to be working closely with Mary

Read Father Villa’s 2024 Easter Message