Fr. Samuel W.
Ward

Father Samuel W. Ward was ordained a Priest for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles on May 31, 2003, the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  He celebrated his First Masses of Thanksgiving as a priest at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church on June 1, 2003, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord.

Father Sam is currently the Associate Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese.  He was Pastor of St. Helen Church in South Gate, CA from 2008-2013.  Previously he was Associate Pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Santa Clarita (2007-2008) and St. Emydius Church in Lynwood (2003-2007).

He was Recording Secretary for the Council of Priests (2004-2008) and San Pedro Regional Representative for the Council of Priests (2010-2012) and served as Secretary/Treasurer for the Council of Priests (20011-2012).  He has been a member of the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy, a fraternal group of Catholic priests, for ten years.

Father Sam received a M.A. Theology and M. Divinity from St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, CA in 2003 and a B.A. Philosophy from St. John’s Seminary College in 2000.  He graduated from UC Irvine Cum Laude with a B.A. History and B.A. Psychology & Social Behavior (1995).  Father Sam was raised in and attended public schools in Oak Park, CA and graduated from Oak Park High School in 1989.

Baptized at St. Genevieve Church in Panorama City, CA, he received his First Holy Communion (1979) and Confirmation (1985) at St. Jude Church, Westlake Village.  Father Sam is the third of four boys born to Edward Ward of Oak Park, CA and Vivian Ward of Agoura Hills, CA and has five wonderful nieces and nephews.