Lay Formation Institute In addition to his responsibilities in the parish, Fr. Derek teaches in the Diocese of Sacramento's Lay Formation Institute. To view his Power Point Presentations from these, just click on the links on the right. Grateful thanks and appreciation are also extended to Stephen M. Matuszak, S.T.L., for the development and design of several of these Power Point Presentations. Father Derek LaBranch was appointed Parochial Administrator of St. Patrick Parish on January 1, 2011. This is his second pastorate. Father Derek LaBranch was born in Sacramento, CA on 3 December 1978, and grew up in the Eastern suburb of Sacramento County called Fair Oaks. He and his family are parishioners at St. Mel Parish in Fair Oaks. He attended local public schools and graduated from Mira Loma High School in 1997. Father LaBranch was in the school’s International Baccalaureate program. Upon acceptance as a Seminarian for the Diocese of Sacramento, he studied philosophy at Mt. Angel Seminary in Saint Benedict Oregon where he received his BA in 2001. During a two year leave of absence, Fr. Derek was a Catholic school teacher and received a M.A. in Teaching Education from the University of San Francisco. After returning to seminary formation, Fr. LaBranch was in residence at Assumption Seminary in San Antonio, Texas while attending the Oblate School of Theology. Fr. LaBranch graduated from Oblate School of Theology in May 2007 with a MA in Theology and Master of Divinity degree. He studied Clinical Pastoral Education at the Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento based at the Sutter Center for Psychiatry. Fr. LaBranch also spent a summer studying spirituality and sexuality at the Institute for Priestly Formation at Creighton University in Omaha, NB. He is currently studying to obtain his S.T.B. through the University of St. Paul in Ottawa, Canada. Fr. LaBranch was ordained a deacon by the Most. Rev. Richard J. Garcia in May 2006 with seven of his classmates and in his ordination homily referred to the group as the “Magnificent Seven.” He was ordained a priest in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament on 29 June 2007 by the Most Rev. William K. Weigand. Fr. LaBranch’s first priestly assignment was as parochial vicar at St. John the Baptist Parish in Folsom. He also served as a priest- chaplain to Mercy Hospital of Folsom. From 2007- June of 2010, Fr. Derek served as the Faithful Friar (e.g. Chaplain) of the Knights of Columbus Centennial Assembly (4th Degree). In 2009, Fr. LaBranch was appointed Parochial Administrator of Sacred Heart Parish, Maxwell. During his brief pastorate, Fr. Derek was responsible for centralizing the parish religious education program through a Director of Religious Education. In addition, Fr. Derek established a parish pastoral council and safety committee. He worked on several major renovations and improvements that resulted in the replacement of the rectory roof installation of new H.V.A.C. units in the parish office, Maxwell and Arbuckle Churches, and Arbuckle Hall. Fr. LaBranch was committed to re-establishing the parish youth program and began a Centennial Committee to oversee the parish celebration in August 2011. He also re-established the parish website, and developed a bi-lingual bulletin. A major accomplishment was his outreach to the sick and homebound as well as restructuring the parish Finances and Organizing the charts of accounts. In October 2010, Fr. LaBranch was inducted for the second time into Stanford Who’s Who for his work as a military chaplain. Fr. Derek was previously listed in the 1996-1997 Edition of High School Seniors for his Student Leadership at Mira Loma High School. On January 1, 2011, Fr. LaBranch was appointed Parochial Administrator of St. Patrick Parish, Weaverville. Like all priests, Fr. Derek was assigned apostolic ministry or theological field education during his seminary formation. During this time, most work was carried out in the Archdioceses of Portland in Oregon and San Antonio. During most of his summers, Fr. Derek was engaged in ministry at Camp Pendola. Fr. Derek brings a plethora of learned skills from these ministries. These assignments included: Catechist, St. Joseph Parish, Salem, OR; Pastoral Care, Mt. Angel Towers Retirement Community; and Outreach Ministry on Burnside. In San Antonio, Fr. Derek worked in the Catechetical Office of the Chancery, Detention Ministry at Bexar County Jail, Office of Catholic Charities Migrant Refugee Resettlement Program, and The Marriage Tribunal. During his pastoral year at St Theresa Parish in South Lake Tahoe, Fr. Derek taught religion at St. Theresa School for third, sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. Fr. Derek also served as an Ecclesiastical Notary in the Marriage Tribunal of the Archdiocese of San Antonio for three years and served as Episcopal Master of Ceremonies for Archbishops Flores and Gomez, respectively. As a deacon, Fr. Derek was assigned as Chaplain to Antonian College Prep High School, and as Deacon Assistant at the Shrine of Padre Pio. In addition to his responsibilities as a parish priest, Fr. LaBranch is a Chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserves and assigned to the 9RW/HC, Beale AFB, CA. His commitment requires 24 days of duty a year. He is a graduate of the Air University Commissioned Officer Training School and the United States Air Force Basic Chaplain Course at Maxwell AFB, AL. Fr. LaBranch previously served as a chaplain candidate with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. Upon his ordination to the priesthood he was promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant. In October 2008, Fr. LaBranch was promoted to the rank of Captain at a ceremony held at St. John Notre Dame School in Folsom, CA. He was deployed for 45 days in support of Operation Iraq Freedom to 37 TRS/HC at Lackland AFB, TX. Father LaBranch also teaches in the Diocese of Sacramento’s Lay Ministry Institute (LMI), and the Diocesan Divine Mercy Faustinum. He is on the Board of Directors of Friends of Pendola. Fr. LaBranch is a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, and is also a Member of: the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Military Officer’s Association, National Association of Catholic Chaplains, Military Chaplains Association, Sacramento Chapter of Military Officers Association, Catholic War Veterans Post #0004, Alexandria, VA, and American Legion Council 218, Maxwell, CA, Fr. LaBranch has also been nominated to be a Knight of St. Peter Claver and the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher- Equestrian Order of Jerusalem. Father Derek R.P. LaBranch 102 Church Street Post Office Box 1219 Weaverville CA 96093 Office 530-623-4383     Fax 530-623-2193     Rectory 530-623-2504