Father Francis Murin

Father Francis (Fero) Murin was born in 1976 in Eastern Slovakia.  After high school, he entered the Byzantine seminary in Presov, to study Sacred Theology and receive seminary formation.  From there, he proceeded to Gaming, Austria, where he spent one year studying English and five semesters obtaining a Licentiate in theology at the International Theological Institute (ITI), a small Pontifical Academy founded at the request of Pope John Paul II for studies on Marriage and the Family. Finally, he spent two years in Rome, Italy, completing the coursework towards a doctorate in theology at the Pontifical College of St. Thomas.  

During the course of his studies, he met his future wife, Kimberly Leatherby, a native of Sacramento. Kimberly was also a student of theology at the ITI.  They married in June 2002, and have been blessed with four girls, Maria, Terezia,  Magdalena and Rose.  

In June, 2004, Father Francis was ordained to the Priesthood in the Archeparchy of Presov, Slovakia.  He served in Slovakia for four years before being transferred to the  Eparchy of Van Nuys.  He was assigned by Bishop Gerald Dino as pastor of St. Philip’s on September 1, 2009.