Priest began serving mass as a ‘little tyke’

Msgr. William T. Leser Long before Monsignor William J. Leser of St. Jude’s Catholic Church began his journey into the priesthood, he began serving Mass at home. He told his grandmother he had decided to become a priest but didn’t want her to ruin the celebration by dying before his ordination. (Leser said he was a “little tyke” at the time and doesn’t remember the incident.)

The boy asked his grandmother to wait a week. She lived several years, and saw him ordained and serve Mass.

Leser began his education at the Junior Seminary in Los Angeles and received his bachelor of arts degree from Camarillo’s St. John Major Seminary. He was rewarded for his 3.77 grade point average with a pontifical degree in sacred theology from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

In 1963, Cardinal James F. McIntyre, former Archbishop of the Los Angeles Diocese, ordained Leser to the priesthood at St. Vibiana’s Cathedral. He was created monsignor in 1991.

Since 1973 Leser has been a judge for the Metropolitan Tribunal for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the Maronite Catholic Tribunal for the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon in Los Angeles. He’s been its judicial vicar (presiding judge) for more than 25 years and also assisted in celebrating Maronite liturgies.

Born into a devout Catholic background in Cleveland, Ohio, Leser fondly recalls celebrating childhood Christmas events with his Slovak-German parents and grandparents. This year he will observe the season by conducting services at St. Jude’s Catholic Church, 32032 Lindero Canyon Road in Westlake Village, where he’s been a pastor since 1995.

On Mon., Dec. 12, Leser will celebrate a Mass in Spanish honoring the Lady of Guadalupe. The service, featuring mariachis and hymns, will start at 5:30 a.m., with mariachi music and refreshments served in the parish hall following the 6 a.m. Mass.

Christmas services will include: Dec. 22: Communal Penance Service at 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 24: Christmas Eve Masses at 4, 6, and 8 p.m.

Vigil Service at 11 p.m. with Christmas readings and hymns, followed by Midnight Mass.

Dec. 25: Christmas Day Masses at 8 and 10 a.m. and noon.

For more information, please call the church office at (818) 889-1279.