Monsignor Mullen married my husband and I at Assumption in 1983. We traveled to Santa Maria Parish especially so he could Baptize both of our children. He and I struck up a friendship and carried on a long-distance correspondence for many years until he was no longer able to do so as a result of his advanced arthritis. What a great man. The church is the lesser for his loss.

***

Obituary:

Msgr. William J. Mullen Born October 8, 1922 Ordained June 14, 1947 Died April 29, 2008 Resident of Concord Born in San Francisco, Oct. 8, 1922, Monsignor Mullen was raised in Berkeley, where the family belonged to St. Joseph the Worker parish. He attended St. Joseph's grammar school, taught by the Sisters of Presentation. He attended St. Joseph College Junior Seminary in Mountain View, CA where he prepared for the Priesthood. He was ordained on June 14, 1947 by Archbishop John J. Mitty in the old St. Mary's Cathedral in San Francisco. His first appointment was to Mission Dolores Church in S.F. in June 1947. In Sept. of 1950 he was transferred to St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Palo Alto. After 5 years, he was assigned to St. Basil's Parish in Vallejo and in June of 1961 was transferred to St. Felicitas Church in San Leandro. In his early career, as an assistant, Msgr. Mullen served as family life director for the new Diocese of Oakland from Jan. 1962 to May 1965. In this position, he directed the Cana and Pre-Cana Conference, the Christian Family movement and founded the Catholic Widows and Widowers Organization. During this time he was also very active in religious instruction, youth work, marriage counseling, hospital ministry and the Lay Apostate. The new parish of St. John Vianney in Walnut Creek was founded by Bishop Floyd Begin on May 25, 1965. The site of the new parish was the old Marchbank property opposite John Muir Hospital. The property was given to the new parish by St. Mary's Parish of Walnut Creek. Msgr. Mullen was appointed first pastor and celebrated the first Mass Aug. 25, 1965 at the Walnut Creek Intermediate School. Msgr. Mullen came up with the design of the church and was able to obtain permission from Bishop Begin to build the church in its present form. He served as pastor until June of 1979. During his time as pastor, Msgr. Mullen started the teen folk Mass. The teenagers played all the music for the Mass, served as Eucharistic Ministers and did all the lecturing. This was a first in the Diocese. He was also one of the first to incorporate a sex education program in the eight grade religion classes. In June of 1979, Msgr. Mullen was appointed as Pastor of Assumption parish in San Leandro. Although it was very painful for him to leave his beloved St. John Vianney Parish, as an obedient priest, he had no choice but to honor the Bishop's request. He remained at Assumption Parish until March of 1987 when he retired from active priesthood because of health problems. From March of 1987 until the fall of 1997, he was in residence at Santa Maria Church in Orinda and did part time work as celebrant, homilist and confessor. He has been fully retired for the past eleven years residing in Concord. Msgr. Mullen considered his time at St. John Vianney as the happiest and most fulfilling time of his life. He is predeceased by his parents and his brother Jerry Mullen. Survivors include his special friend and caregiver C.J. Tutt, his sister, Leslie and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. A Rosary for Msgr. Mullen begins at 10:30AM Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 1650 Ygnacio Valley Road in Walnut Creek. A Mass of Christian Burial begins afterwards at 11:00AM. Memorial donations to St. John Vianney Church or to the Hospice of the East Bay, 3470 Buskirk Ave., Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 are appreciated. Hull's Walnut Creek Chapel (925) 934-5400
Published in the Contra Costa Times on 5/4/2008.