St. Luke the Evangelist welcomes Fr. Mark A. Strader as the new Parish Administrator.  Fr. Mark is coming directly from St. Raphael in Santa Barbara where he served since July of 2008.  Fr. Mark grew up locally, in Torrance, Ca, and is the middle child of seven.  After his father died when he was twelve, he began working in the  Parish Rectory to help the family make money.  It was while working in the Rectory and serving as an Altar Server that he knew he was called to be a priest. 

At 21 years old, he joined St. John Seminary in Camarillo, Ca.  He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy/Psychology from St. John's College and earned a Master of Divinity from St. John's Seminary.  He was ordained in 1991 at St. Vibiana's Cathedral in Los Angeles.  After becoming ordained, he attended the University of San Francisco where he earned his Master's Degree in Educational Administration.

His first parish assignment as an Associate Priest was at Nativity Church in El Monte, where he served until 1994.  Since then, his service and experience includes:
-Dean of Students at Queen of Angels Seminary   
-Teacher/Chaplain/Administrator for Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance,CA
-Assistant Principal at St. Bernard High School in Playa del Rey
-Vice President of Santa Clara High School in Oxnard, CA
-Associate Pastor Pro-Tem at St. Louise de Marillac in Covina, CA
-Pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes in Tujunga, CA
-Director in the Chancery Office for the Archdioces of Los Angeles

Some of his other community activities have included serving as Chaplain to the Los Angeles Police Department and Santa Barbara Police Department.  He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of the Knights of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

He has a ten year old female Boxer, named Aloha, who he has had since he became Pastor in 2000.  His hobbies include hiking, cooking, eating, traveling, and surfing the web.  He loves Hawaii, chocolate, animals, spicy food, and spending time with family and friends.  He said, "I'm a down to earth priest that likes to get things done, likes to build commmunity, and likes to work together towards the Kingdom of God."  As Administrator, he hopes to bring Vision and Mission to St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Community.