Newly Ordained Priests from USD Program Celebrate Mass at Immaculata

Three newly ordained San Diego Diocese priests, Corey Tufford, David Exner and Derek Twilliger, were together at morning Mass on June 28 inside The Immaculata Church.

All three men participated in the Program of Priestly Formation at the University of San Diego. The three priests were celebrating Mass for The Immaculata congregation for the first time after their ordination took place on June 24. Last week’s ceremony concluded the three men’s priestly formation, which began at USD and continued at the American National Seminary in Rome for Fathers Tufford and Exner and Mt. Angel Seminary in Oregon for Fr. Twilliger.

The three priests have had a long association with the Immaculata since their early days in formation. They will now be assigned to parishes within the Diocese of San Diego from Chula Vista to Poway to San Marcos.

Carol Tunney, who attended Tuesday’s said seeing the three men together and for them to acknowledge the morning Mass community and thank them for their support was a joyful moment.

Also present at Tuesday’s Mass was Deacon William Zondler, who became a transitional deacon only a few weeks ago; Father Tim Ferguson, a visiting priest from the Diocese of Marquette (MI) and a friend of Twilliger’s; and Immaculata Church Pastor, Father Matthew Spahr, who is a USD alumnus.

— USD News Center