The Reverend William Kerze—best known as “Father Bill” here in Malibu—is retiring this year after 23 years serving as Pastor of Our Lady of Malibu Church.
Fr. Bill came to Malibu in 1996, just five years after the retirement of the beloved Monsignor John V. Sheridan, who had been pastor since 1965.
According to those who nominated him for a 2017 Dolphin Award, and others including an anonymous parishioner quoted on the Our Lady of Malibu website, Fr. Bill brought the community come together following the departure of Sheridan.
“Fr. Bill was an answer to our prayers,” the anonymous note reads. “After the retirement of our beloved Monsignor Sheridan … Fr. Bill came, and all was at peace. We feel blessed to have a priest of Fr. Bill’s spiritual and intellectual caliber, surpassed only by his compassion and enthusiasm to engage our faith and inspire us to do more for those in need.”
Those sentiments were echoed in the nomination The Malibu Times received, noting that Fr. Bill has kept the community strong through the deaths of three of its most treasured leaders. “Our losses of Monsignor John Sheridan, Sister Mary Campbell and Sister Bridget McGuigan have left him alone to lead OLM through great sadness and bring us back to serenity,” the nomination read.
A parish priest has a unique place in a church community, presiding over baptisms, marriages and funerals, and offering advice, guidance and support to all who seek it. In his 23 years, Fr. Bill has “earned a special place in the hearts of his Malibu parishioners,” according to nominations.
In addition to his regular duties as parish priest, he also ministers to the school children at Our Lady of Malibu School and is a community leader, advocating for the homeless. He also leads the OLM flock as they continue twice-yearly missions to bring supplies and food to those in need in Mexico.
In his personal life, Fr. Bill enjoys nature, hiking and photographing the beauty he sees around him.