Local priest happy to be back at his home parish

MAN OF THE COLLAR-The Rev. Dave Heney, who grew up in St. Paschal Baylon Catholic Church in Thousand Oaks, returned to head the congregation four years ago. Since he was installed about four years ago as senior pastor of St. Paschal Baylon Catholic Church in Thousand Oaks, Father Dave Heney said he is "very happy and honored" to be back in his home parish.

Heney has served in various Los Angeles parishes including St. Genevieve's Catholic Church in Van Nuys, St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church in Altadena and Holy Angels Church in Arcadia.

In 2001 he became associate pastor at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church and St. Jude's Catholic Church in Westlake Village before transfering to his home parish, St. Paschal Baylon.

Heney, who comes from an Italian-Catholic background, originally arrived in the Conejo Valley as a 9year-old when his family moved from New Jersey to Thousand Oaks.

The family was instrumental in helping start St. Paschal Baylon. Its membership has flourished and the city has grown-the parish now supports two associate pastors.

Heney admits the community has improved considerably, but said "it seems like it was yesterday" when he arrived as a child.

While attending elementary school, Heney was inspired by young priests and decided to follow God's call to serve. After entering St. John's Seminary in Camarillo, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1978 and received a master's degree in marriage, family and child counseling from USC in 1991.

Heney has written two books on the Catholic faith: "Motivating Your Parish to Change," a Resource publication, and "Don't Tell Me What To Do!" published by Paulist Press, which discusses the Catholic understanding of modern moral issues.

Both books are available at Godspace, a Catholic bookstore in Thousand Oaks and through www.amazon.com.

Heney is pleased with the St. Paschal Baylon's Adoration Chapel and the religious education program, conducted on the parish grounds at 155 E. Janss Road in Thousand Oaks. He said many of the faithful visit the chapel, which is adjacent to the rectory and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Heney also is gratified with the attendance at an adult education program that he began in 2001 while serving in Westlake Village.

Supported by all Catholic parishes in the Conejo Valley, "The University" is a series of Lenten workshops about the scriptures, moral issues, church history and spirituality.

Services at St. Paschal Baylon Catholic Church include a Saturday vigil at 5:30 p.m. Sunday Masses are at 7:30, 9 and 10:45 a.m., and 5:30 p.m. A Mass in Spanish starts at 12:15 p.m.

For more information about St. Paschal Baylon's religious education programs, the Adoration Chapel, or "The University," call the church office at (805) 496-0222.