Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church

Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church

1629 Columbia Street, San Diego, CA 92101-2501

Phone: (619) 234-4820 Fax: (619) 234-3559

www.olrsd.org

Rev. Fr. Steven M. Grancini

June 13, 1932 – January 2, 2011

San Diego, CA – Reverend Father Steven M. Grancini, Pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, passed away Sunday, January 2, 2011, after a lengthy illness. 

Fr. Grancini was born in Milan, Italy in 1932.  He was ordained in the Clerics Regular of St. Paul in 1957.  Fr. Steven attended the University of Buffalo, NY, and received his Masters in Education from Niagara University.  He served as Provincial Superior of the Barnabites’ North American Province; was elected Superior General of the Barnabite Order with residence in Rome in 1976; and later assigned Pastor to Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in 1985. 

Fr. Steven worked tirelessly for the people of the parish, both as spiritual leader and as a steward managing its growth.  As the parish kept pace with the development of the neighboring community of Little Italy, he spearheaded the purchase of a building on a lot adjacent to the OLR complex.  The two-story brick building, which originally housed a law firm, was renovated to include classrooms for religious study and the Pastoral offices.  As a result of Fr. Grancini’s dedicated stewardship, the final payment was made on the building this past November. 

Over twenty-five years of pastoral leadership at OLR, Fr. Grancini never lost sight of the origins of the little church that has been called the “Jewel of Little Italy.”  He was dedicated to the preservation of this church that was begun in 1921 to serve the Italian and Portuguese community.  Today, the 90 year old church with its original artwork is a beautiful testament to that faith and is deeply entwined in the network of the lives of the families, who built, support and continue to worship there. 

In addition to his pastoral work at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Fr. Steven was the spiritual leader of the San Diego Branch of Marriage Encounter.  Through this ministry, Fr. Steven guided many couples to recognize the sacramental nature of their marriage vows and to respect each other as they work to attain holiness in their vocation of married life.

            Under Fr. Steven’s direction, a scholarship program was established at OLR for students in the parish.  Over a period of 22 years scholarships were awarded on the basis of need to students attending local parochial schools.  College scholarships were awarded to students attending both private and public colleges and/or universities.  These scholarships were funded through the efforts of The Amici of Our Lady of the Rosary, and more recently through the Ferragosto event.

Fr. Grancini was recognized as a pillar and uniting force in the community of Little Italy.  He did not see the church as a separate part of the whole, but believed that all segments of the community – commercial, residential, educational, as well as spiritual – needed to work together to create a neighborhood that is prosperous and safe, as well as exciting and fun so as to encompass the best quality of life for all.  His years of service on the Board of the Little Italy Association is a testament to that philosophy and that effort.   

Fr. Steven Grancini leaves an indelible mark both as a spiritual leader of the parish and as a tireless supporter of the community he loved.  None of this would have been possible without his deep love for God, the Eucharist, the Blessed Mother, and the priesthood.

Viewing will be held at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 1668 State St., January 3-5 (please call 619/234-4820 or contact www.olrsd.org for specific details); recitation of the Rosary on Wednesday, January 5, at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of the Rosary Church; funeral on Thursday, January 6, 10 a.m. – St. Joseph’s Cathedral, 1525 Third Ave.  Fr. Steven will be laid to rest at the Basilica of Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, Buffalo, New York.

In lieu of flowers you may donate to the Marikina Seminary Fund or to the restoration and preservation of Our Lady of the Rosary Church in memory of Fr. Grancini.  

For further information please contact:  Marcia Buompensiero at Our Lady of the Rosary Church (619) 234-4820.