Fr. Walter Vogel, OSA, dies from accident-related injuries
Augustinian Father Walter Paul Vogel, 72, recently-named pastor of Our Mother of Good Counsel Church in Los Angeles, died April 28 from injuries sustained in a car accident adjacent to the parish parking lot April 24.

A rosary/vigil for Father Vogel will be celebrated at Our Mother of Good Counsel May 4, 7 p.m., and a Memorial Mass will take place at the parish May 5, 11 a.m. followed by a luncheon at the onsite St. Augustine Center.

Born on Ecke Ranch, near Encinitas, he entered the seminary in 1954 and was ordained to the priesthood on Feb. 9, 1963. Following ordination, he served for a number of years in education at high schools in Pennsylvania and California. Locally, he taught at Villanova Prep School in Ojai for periods in the 1960s, '70s and early '80s.

While still a high school teacher, Father Vogel was introduced to the Cursillo movement and became one of its most sought-after ministers and spiritual directors. He also developed a passion for cooking, treating many people to his epicurean feasts. For the last six years, he ministered as a parish priest in Ontario and, since September 2002, as a beloved associate priest at Our Mother of Good Counsel.

Survivors include his sister, Miti, and her husband, Walt Beljean; and his brother Paul, and his wife Betty. In lieu of flowers, the Augustinians and Vogel families suggest memorial donations be made in Father Vogel's memory to Our Mother of Good Counsel Church for the completion of a planned courtyard mural of Augustinian saints or as a contribution to the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Fr. Edwin Johnson, SM, former Serra principal, dies
Funeral Mass was celebrated May 1 at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Canoga Park for Marianist Father Edwin Johnson, 81, who died April 25 following a short illness.

Father Johnson served as principal at Serra High School, Gardena, from 1980-84 and most recently ministered as a longtime chaplain at Chaminade Preparatory High School in West Hills.

A convert to Catholicism, Father Johnson was born in Austin, Texas, and joined the Society of Mary as a Brother in 1961. While principal of Serra High School, he was ordained a deacon in 1981. Baltimore Auxiliary Bishop John Ricard ordained him a priest at Queen of Apostles Church, San Jose, on May 17, 1986.

Following ordination, Father Johnson taught at Riordan High School in San Francisco. He ministered as a chaplain at Chaminade for 11 years. As posted on the Chaminade website, Father Johnson was "greatly loved by students, faculty and parents alike. His selfless love for all of us has been the hallmark of his ministry and a lasting gift to our community. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him."

Burial will be May 5 at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Los Altos, Calif.