Father Daniel Reader
Fr. Daniel was born in 1968 in Houston, TX where he lived until he was five years-old when his family moved back to Kentucky to be closer to his maternal grandmother who was in poor health. Fr. Daniel’s parents worked in education and stressed that throughout their lives. His father was a high school history teacher and football coach. His mother worked for the local board of education. Fr. Daniel was raised in Louisville, KY with his two older brothers and an older sister. He attended St. Rita Catholic School and was taught by the Ursulines sisters (St. Angela Merici’s order). He went on to attend St. Francis Xavier High School where he enjoyed his studies and participated in the school’s Cross Country and Track & Field teams. In 1990, Fr. Daniel graduated from the University of Louisville with his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations. He thought he would go to law school or work in public service. He moved to Orange County, California in 1990 where his sister lived. As God’s will and life unfolded, his vocational journey saw him working in law firms but not going to law school. Later, he would work for a software and technology company in sales and marketing. With the help of his then-pastor, Fr. Eamon O’Gorman and Msgr. Wil Davis, the diocesan Director of Priestly Vocations, Fr. Daniel discerned that God could be calling him to the priesthood and to conform his life more radically to Christ. After attending St. John Seminary in Camarillo, CA and completing his Master’s degrees in Divinity and Theology, Fr. Daniel was ordained priest in 2011. Fr. Daniel was assigned a parochial vicar to St. Irenaeus Church in Cypress, CA from 2011-2015. In 2015, Bishop Vann appointed him Director of Priests’ Personnel where he served in that capacity until 2023. Fr. Daniel assisted Bishop Vann and the Priest Personnel Board with recommendations for annual priest assignments. In 2017, he was given additional duties to serve as the Chancellor of the Diocese of Orange. From 2015-2023, Fr. Daniel lived in-residence at Christ Cathedral and served as a supply priest. One aspect of Fr. Daniel’s spiritual life that guides him is the communion of saints and the lives of the saints. Some of his favorite saints are St. Augustine of Hippo, St. Rita of Cascia, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Teresa of Ávila, St. John of the Cross, St. Katherine Drexel, St. Paul VI, and St. John Paul II the Great. Having been taught in elementary school by St. Angela Merici’s religious order, the Ursulines, and now being assigned here at St. Angela’s to serve, Fr. Daniel will now foster a greater devotion to St. Angela Merici and her order’s charisms. With the prayer and intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Junipero Serra, Fr. Daniel commends himself to their care, and asks for all parishioners to pray for him. On a personal note, Fr. Daniel enjoys reading, walking and hiking, and occasionally a tennis match when partners are available. As we all continue our Catholic faith here in Brea at St. Angela Merici Church, Fr. Daniel wanted to share one of his favorite sayings with all of you, “Do not be afraid. God wants us to be successful in our faith, even more than we do.”