Mission San Luis Rey Parish
A Community of Catholic Stewards

Pastoral Staff Page

Welcome to Mission San Luis Rey Parish

Pastor: Fr. Charles (Chuck) Talley, OFM.
Fr. Chuck, 59, is a native of the former steel-producing center of Youngstown, Ohio.  He is from a large Catholic family of Irish and German background —nine kids altogether:  “We grew up without much money, but with a great deal of love,  a certain amount of mayhem, and, most definitely,  a healthy sense of humor.”

 Fr. Chuck attended parochial schools before entering Oberlin College, where he got his BA degree.  Shortly after graduation, he moved to northern California, where he lived and worked for many years as a  teacher, freelance journalist and magazine editor before joining the Franciscans in 1993. Since entering the Order, he has studied at the Franciscan School of Theology, where he received his M.Div. (Master of Divinity) degree.

After his priestly ordination in 1999,  Fr. Chuck worked for four years as associate pastor at Ascension Catholic Parish in Portland, Oregon. More recently, he has spent six years as vocations coordinator for the Franciscans, based in Sacramento (2003-2009).

In addition to ministry and community, Fr. Chuck enjoys lap swimming, cycling, and hiking, as well as reading,  movies, and travel.  He also enjoys languages-- "even though I forget almost all the French and Latin I ever studied.”

How does Fr. Chuck feel about coming to Mission San Luis Rey Parish?  “In a word, ‘overwhelmed.’  It’s an honor and privilege to be here.  The sheer size of such a diverse parish, with nearly 5000 households, is just amazing. I am also deeply impressed by the faith, the warmth, and incredible generosity of both the staff and the parishioners I’ve been meeting.  My greatest hope for the parish is that every person who comes here feels welcomed, accepted, and nurtured as part of our parish family, no matter who they are.  I hope to build on the tremendous hard work done by Fr. Peter and Fr. Alvin, and all those who have helped to make the parish such a vital, faith-filled presence in the North County.”

Father Charles (Chuck) Talley, OFM.
Pastor, Mission San Luis Rey Parish
760-757-3250

(Editor’s note – Click here for pictures of Fr. Chuck’s installation as pastor on Tuesday, August 11th, at 6:30pm in the Serra Center.  The parish held a short prayer service and blessing with a reception afterwards in the Serra Gardens to welcome both Fr. Chuck and Fr. Adrian Peelo.) 

Associate Pastor: Fr. Adrian Peelo, OFM

Fr. Adrian was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1955, the eldest of five.  Following high-school education by the Marist Brothers, he entered the novitiate of the Franciscan Friars at Killarney, Ireland in 1973 and made his first vows the following year.  After studies in Ireland and Italy, Fr. Adrian made solemn profession in the Franciscan Order in 1979 and was ordained a priest in July 1983.   Fr. Adrian has done mainly pastoral work as a priest and was for a period director of vocations for the Irish Province of the Friars Minor.  Since coming to the U.S.  he has studied at the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley, California, and later worked as chaplain at St. Anthony Foundation, San Francisco.

Fr. Adrian likes to read, enjoys classical music and all things Italian.  He loves dogs, having grown up with lots of them around the house.  While a student in Italy he learned to cook and to appreciate art and ancient buildings. He has a special interest in history and in comparative religions. When he can he likes to travel, see new places and experience diverse cultures. 

“ I’m very proud of my Irish heritage and I love being a Franciscan.  We friars are committed to brotherhood amongst ourselves and to the universal brother/sisterhood of all created things under God.  Our mission is the Gospel; to proclaim it by our peaceful and joyful manner of life and by living simply and with gratitude.”

“ I hope people find at our parish, kindness and compassion.  This is your home, this is where you have a right to be.  We listen to and accompany one another as pilgrims.  In the spirit of St. Francis, we welcome you into our family where we pray you will find faith, hope and love.”

Fr. Adrian Peelo, OFM
760-547-0723

Parish Staff (in alphabetical order)

Updates

This page last updated on Tuesday, March 16 at 10:40am.