FATHER STEVE BULFER Father Steve Bulfer, Pastor of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Mariposa was feted at an appreciation and birthday dinner on March 7 by members of his parish and representatives of several of the community organizations with which he is associated.

The pastor assumed his duties at St. Joseph's on July 1, 1994. During his tenure the more than 100-year old building has been renovated inside and out. Several parishioners spoke of his dedication and leadership to the parish and representatives of three of the eight community associations with which he volunteers spoke also.

Pastor Ginger Foster of the United Methodist Church, who serves this year as president of the Mariposa County Ministerial Fellowship, said Father Steve has seniority in the group and has been especially helpful to the many new pastors of other churches coming to Mariposa this year. She also offered the grace before the meal was served at China Station.

Habitat for Humanity President Delores Hahn presented Father Steve with a H4H tee shirt and said her organization appreciated his willingness to wield a hammer, as well as lend his expertise.

Mary Loughran, representing Manna House noted his helpfulness to the organization which supplies food for the needy in Mariposa and commended him for urging is parishioners to support Manna House, both as volunteers and through monthly special collections.

District I Supervisor Brad Aborn presented the guest of honor with a resolution passed by the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors recently. It acknowledged the work Father Steve does with the abovementioned organizations and noted he also serves on the Mountain Crisis board, works with the newly -rejuvenated Salvation Army and serves on the county's Juvenile Justice Commission, Commission on Domestic Violence and the Blue Ribbon Advisory Committee on Foster Care.

Parish Council President Terrence Loughran thanked him for his leadership of the council and the parish by example as well as word. Mary Elizabeth Fillebrown, President of the St. Joseph's Family Guild, presented him with large portable barbecue, built by the Jim Suggs family, members of the parish.

Alan Wright served as master of ceremonies for the dinner, dressed as a chef and threatening a "roast" all evening.

Since the date of the dinner fell so close to Father Steve's birthday it was decided to combine the appreciation dinner (part of the world-wide celebration of the Year of the Priest, as proclaimed by the Pope) with a birthday party and many of those attending brought individual gifts and almost everyone contributed to the card tree, presented by the council president.