Clergy
Fr. Michael St. Paul, Pastor: As the Pastor of Holy Trinity Father Michael shepherds our parish in all aspects including sacraments, formation, and finances. Prior to his priestly formation, Fr. Michael worked for the Walt Disney Company in various administration/management positions for over 20 years. In Fr. Michael’s vocation story he states, “I have worked for the ‘Magic Kingdom’ for half of my life and now I work for the Eternal Kingdom for the rest of my life!”
Phone: 949-218-3131 x105
Email: frmichael@holytrinityladera.org
Fr. Bala Udumala, Parochial Vicar: After serving as a Catholic Priest, Educator, and Social Worker in the Diocese of Vijayawada, South India, for 12 years, Fr. Bala earned a Masters in Film & Television at LMU. He went on to establish the first Telugu Catholic Satellite TV Channel in collaboration with the regional Bishops Council in India. After running it successfully for 7 years and making it sustainable, Fr. Bala is back in Orange County and eager to serve as our Parochial Vicar.
Phone: 949-218-3131 x109
Email: frbalau@holytrinityladera.org
Randy McMahon, Deacon: After his twenty-six year career as a Marine, Deacon Randy felt a call to be of service in his local community. Therefore, in the Spring of 1999, Randy made the decision to retire from Active Duty and concentrate his efforts on family and community. Holy Trinity has been blessed that Deacon Randy and his wife Linda, a retired U.S. Navy Officer, have helped build and shape our Holy Trinity community and ministries.
Email: deaconrandymcm@aol.com
Frank Chavez, Deacon: Deacon Frank was ordained in 1984 and has served as director of the Office of the Diaconate for the past 22 years until his recent retirement. He served at St. Martin de Porres Parish, Yorba Linda; Christ Our Savior Parish, Santa Ana; and now serves at Christ Cathedral and Holy Trinity.
Email: deaconfrankchavez@gmail.com
Deacon Anthony Palazzolo, Deacon: Deacon Anthony was ordained to the permanent diaconate on October 19, 2019. He has been married to his wife Rayann for 23 years and they have a 19 year old daughter and an 18 year old son. Deacon Anthony feels blessed to be part of the Holy Trinity family where he continues to do the Lord’s work that He is calling us all to do and serve with humility and joy.
Email: rpalz911@yahoo.com
Administration
Anna Moreno, Office Manager & Parish Reception, Monday-Thursday: Anna has always wanted to work for a Parish and found her dream job at Holy Trinity. She brings over thirty-two years of experience in administrative work. Anna’s motto “All are welcome” it’s evident when you walk in the office you are greeted with a smile. Anna has served as a volunteer in various capacities; Catechist for Confirmation, Quinceañera Coordinator, Wedding Coordinator, Hospitality, Lector and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.
Phone: 949-218-3131
Email: reception@holytrinityladera.org
Joanne Singer, Parish Receptionist, Friday-Saturday: Growing up in New Jersey, surrounded by a strong Irish-Catholic family and educated twelve years by the Sisters of Charity of Convent Station formed the basis of Joanne’s religion and spirituality. Moving to Southern California with her family opened many doors to serve the Catholic Church. Joanne enjoys working in the front office at Holy Trinity. She is inspired by the zeal, knowledge and dedication of our Priests, Office Staff, and Parishioners.
Phone: 949-218-3131
Email: reception@holytrinityladera.org
Jennifer Cahuantzi, Director of Faith Formation : Jennifer is a long time Holy Trinity Parishioner. She considers Holy Trinity her home away from home. Jennifer enjoys working with the children of our Parish and considers it is a blessing to see the light of Christ in their eyes. She also considers it an honor to help adults grow in their faith and walk alongside them to help prepare them for the sacramental life. Jennifer sings in the Music Ministry and is a Wedding Coordinator, as well.
Phone: 949-218-3131 x110
Email: jcahuantzi@holytrinityladera.org
Emmanuel Perez, Coordinator of Youth/Young Adult Discipleship & Hispanic Ministry: Emmanuel brings over 10 years of experience in sacramental preparation and youth ministry to Holy Trinity. His zeal for Christ has been contagious to all students in Middle School Faith Formation, High School Confirmation and HTYM. He is blessed to now work with young adults ages 18-39 to develop unique ministries for them. With the implementation of Life Teen, Emmanuel’s fresh approach invigorates our entire parish. While working on his undergrad, Emmanuel helped lead the V Encuentro initiative for Diocese of Fresno. This National initiative focused on empowering Hispanic/Latino communities to have a presence in parishes. This experience helped lay the foundation for forming the Holy Trinity Hispanic Community. Phone: 949-218-3131 x101
Email: eperez@holytrinityladera.org
Beto Valdez, Coordinator of Youth Ministries & Confirmation: Born in Mexico and raised in Nothern California and Redlands, CA, Beto had a profound encounter with Jesus during college. Throughout his undergraduate years at UC Riverside, he served in high school and college ministries, deepening his faith. For the past five years, he has dedicated himself to accompanying and evangelizing college students with Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) across five campuses in Texas and California, with UC Irvine being his most recent campus. He feels privileged to witness the transformation of college students as they encounter Jesus and His Church. With a deep desire to know Jesus more intimately and to make Him known, he is eager to serve and lead middle school and high school students, and to integrate himself into the Holy Trinity Parish Family. Phone: 949-218-3131 x106
Email: evaldez@holytrinityladera.org
Christina Mertens, Parish Life & Faith Formation General Assistant: Christina has a natural gift for project management and process implementation. She also has a huge heart for serving God and His people. Especially, those in need. Christina serves in Faith Formation as well as Parish Life at Holy Trinity helping to create a strong foundation of faith and Catholic identity for our parish community.
Phone: 949-218-3131 x103
Email: cmertens@holytrinityladera.org
Daniel Catania, Business & Facilities Manager: Native Argentinian. After working at the Diocese of Orange for two years, Daniel was assigned to Holy Trinity because of his unique pastoral approach to managing the parish business office and his evident love for our Catholic faith.
Phone: 949-218-3131 x119
Email: dcatania@holytrinityladera.org