Kathy Almazol

I met Bishop McGrath in 1998 when he became coadjutor of the Diocese of San José. Bishop McGrath was an outspoken advocate for Catholic education, and he believed our schools were a prime path for growing lay leaders in our communities.

Bishop PJ loved to spend time with students. He was generous with his conversation with the students and allowed so many questions. But he so loved their questions, especially when they asked if he was married.

He often remarked that those days were the highlight of his work. His fun-loving and playful nature with the students was heartwarming to witness. It was joyful for me to partner with him in this endeavor as the students, teachers, and principal also connected with him. He generously hosted an end-of-the-year dinner in his garden to recognize the leaders for their dedication and commitment to our schools.

As bishop, he was supportive, deliberate, and always professional. He expected me to do my job and bring him questions and proposals for navigating my challenges. The opportunity to work closely with Bishop PJ allowed me to know him as a priest and pastor who constantly opened his heart to anyone who sought his help.

I miss him daily as I reflect on his kind, generous, and loving attention to me and to all who asked for his friendship. As a friend, he was generous of heart and always put my needs before his. Bishop PJ and I shared an avid love of reading and discussed many books together.

I often asked him what he felt that Jesus might think about current challenges in the Church and our local community. He would smile and tell me not to worry because Jesus was on my side. I feel blessed to have had Bishop McGrath on my side and on the side of all Catholic schools.

Kathy Almazol is a retired superintendent of Catholic schools in the Diocese of San José. She has been a member of Saint Clare parish for twenty-five years and of the Diocese of San José since it was established in 1981. She participates in two book clubs, advocates for social justice, gardens, and enjoys spending time with her family, especially her three grandchildren.

Vida Covington

My first encounter with Bishop McGrath came in 2002 when I began teaching first grade at St. Joseph School in Mountain View, where I, myself, had also graduated. As a relatively new teacher, I felt nervous when my principal announced Bishop McGrath’s upcoming visit. Thoughts about what could go wrong swirled around my mind. What if my students weren’t behaving that day? What if Bishop comes to my class immediately following recess when students are the most boisterous? The veteran teachers told me not to worry since Bishop PJ loved children and enjoyed visiting schools.

On the day of his visit to my classroom, Bishop McGrath, accompanied by the principal and the pastor, was busy playfully questioning the kids about first grade when the student seated right in front of Bishop (of course) began rocking back and forth in his chair. I tried to give the student the ‘look,’ but it was too late: the student began dramatically falling out of the chair at Bishop’s feet (Because, again, of course, they did!).

I was mortified!  But Bishop McGrath was unflappable. As the student fell to the ground, the bishop exclaimed, “Oopsie daisies!” and, in one smooth motion, swooped down and brought them back into their chair. After the student profusely apologized, Bishop simply smiled and continued.  As he shared stories of being an elementary school student himself, the students listened intently to every word.

This particular encounter with Bishop McGrath became a story that was told with fondness and laughter as the students grew older, and it attests to his strength of character and love for our students and our schools. Having grown up in the Diocese of San Jose, I experienced the blessing Bishop McGrath was to our community. I pray that his love and dedication to the ministry of Catholic education will live on in every administrator, teacher, and student across our elementary and high schools.