The Rev. Andrew Lane was installed as pastor at St. Martin of Tours during a Mass in the upper church celebrated by Bishop Efren Esmilla, his predecessor as pastor.
The Mass was celebrated in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
The celebration continued after Mass with lunch in the gym.
Lane served as a transitional deacon at St. Katherine of Siena for a year before his ordination in 2022. His first assignment was as a parochial vicar at St. Timothy.
Lane became parochial administrator at St. Martin’s, 5450 Roosevelt Blvd., in 2024 after Esmilla was named a bishop.
Lane also serves as chaplain for Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 87 and Little Flower High School.
Members of AOH Division 87 and Little Flower president Kristie Hughes Dugan (a 1988 St. Martin’s graduate) attended the July 20 Mass, as did members of the Knights of Columbus.
The Rev. Tom Higgins, the longtime pastor at Holy Innocents, read a letter from Archbishop Nelson Perez, officially installing Lane.
In his homily, Esmilla asked parishioners to welcome the new pastor into the parish family.
“A family that prays together stays together,” he said.
Lane thanked Esmilla for celebrating the Mass and for his three years as pastor at St. Martin’s and helping the parish celebrate its centennial.
The new pastor described St. Martin’s as a “wonderful parish,” adding that he hopes for many years together with parishioners. ••
