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Clergy

Portrait of Msgr. Urell

Msgr. John Urell
Pastor

Ordained to the priesthood in 1978, Msgr. John Urell has served the Diocese of Orange as associate pastor at Holy Family Cathedral (1978-83), secretary to Bishop William Johnson (1983-86) and as Vice Chancellor for the diocese (1986-87). In 1987 he was named secretary to Bishop Norman McFarland and Chancellor of the Diocese of Orange. He was appointed Prelate of Honor (Monsignor) in 1990. Msgr. John served as Pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Laguna Beach, from 1997-2000. Prior to his appointment as pastor at St. Norbert in July 2003, he was Vicar General /Moderator of Curia, with residence at St. Callistus in Garden Grove.

Monsignor John is a graduate of Tustin High School. He also graduated from St. John’s Seminary College in Camarillo, Calif., and earned his masters in social work from the University of Southern California.

Portrait of Fr. Tran

Rev. Joseph Tran
Parochial Vicor

Fr. Joseph Tran was ordained to the priesthood in June 2005, with his first assignment as parochial vicar at St. Norbert Church. He graduated from St. John’s Seminary College in Camarillo, Calif., in 2000. Father Joseph served a pastoral internship at Saint Bonaventure in Huntington Beach, Calif. from 2002-2003. He was ordained to the Order of Diaconate and assigned as Deacon at St. John the Baptist in Milwaukie, Oregon from 2004-2005.

Born in Saigon, Vietnam, the second child of Mr. and Mrs. Tuan Duc Tran, Fr. Joseph immigrated to the U.S. in 1985. He has also earned a Master of Divinity from the School of Theology at Mount Angel Seminary, Saint Benedict, Oregon.

Portrait of Fr. Tran

Fr. Benedict Yang
Parochial Vicor

Our newest priest, Fr. Benedict Yang was ordained to the priesthood in June 2007 and was assigned to St. Norbert Parish as Parochial Vicar. Fr. Benedict attended the University of California, Irvine, for three years before entering Mt. Angel Seminary in Oregon in 2000. He completed his seminary studies at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, CA from 2002 – 2007.

Fr. Benedict was born in Korea, the fourth of five children of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Yang. The family immigrated to the United States in 1989. He attended Temple City High School. Fr. Benedict is fluent in English and Korean and proficient in Spanish as well. In his leisure time, Father enjoys tennis, basketball, hiking and camping.

Portrait of Father Moreland

Fr. Gordon Moreland
SJ, Sunday Asst.

Father Gordon Moreland SJ is a member of the Jesuit Order. He currently serves as the Director of the House of Prayer for Priests in the Diocese of Orange.
Portrait of Deacon Carver

Tim Carver
Deacon

Deacon Tim Carver has been assigned to St. Norbert Church since his ordination in 1990. A graduate of Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Deacon Tim also attended Santa Ana College and UCLA. His favorite pastime is golf, and he enjoys spending time with his family: wife Donna and children Mike, Mark, Kevin, Kenny, Christy, Carol and 11 grandchildren.
Portrait of Deacon Esparza

Joe Esparza
Deacon

Deacon Joe Esparza is a fifth generation Californian born and raised in Orange County. He attended Catholic elementary schools and graduated from Holy Family School, Orange High School and Claremont McKenna College with a degree in History.

Deacon Joe and his wife, Barbara, have been married for 34 years and have one son Damian, who lives in San Diego.

Deacon Joe was ordained in the Diocese of Orange in 1999. His first assignment was Holy Family Cathedral, serving in the ministries of Baptism Coordinator, Funeral Vigils, Preaching, Marriages and various Sunday and Pontifical Liturgies with Bishop Brown.

He is thankful that his new assignment has been to St. Norbert’s and looks forward to meeting and serving the parish community.