Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa pastor initiates his stepmother of 40 years into full communion

By Patrick Downes

Father Gary Colton, the pastor at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, had one of the most fulfilling Easters of his priesthood last month. It was a personal joy, a family triumph. He to brought his stepmother of 40 years into full communion in the Catholic Church.

The happy event took place at Holy Cross Church in Santa Cruz, Calif., where Bobbie Balley, Father Colton’s mother since grade eight, received the sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Confirmation from her son.

The event was even more remarkable in the fact that a pastor ordinarily is not supposed to leave his parish during the Easter Triduum — Holy Thursday through Easter Sunday.

Who gave him permission to go?

“My parishioners said I had to be there,” he said. “They told me not to worry, that the associate pastor could handle things.”

Not only that, they sent Father Colton up with 13 leis, one for Bailey and each of her fellow parishioners being welcomed into the Catholic fold during the same Vigil ceremony.

Father Colton said that his stepmother, who had been Episcopalian, supported him all through his studies for the priesthood and his vocation.

“She was always very helpful when I was in the seminary,” said Father Gary Colton, who went to St. Stephen High School Seminary in Kailua.

At the Easter Vigil in Santa Cruz, Father Colton administered the sacrament of Confirmation to Bailey and gave her First Holy Communion.

It was a family affair with Father Colton’s brother and Bailey’s sister coming up from southern California, and his sister flying in from Kona.

“The people who received the leis were just thrilled,” said Father Colton.

And his stepmother? “She is very happy,” the priest said.

And Father Colton?

He’s overjoyed.