Rev. Steven Hoffer, Pastor

Greetings!

I am Father Steve Hoffer, named pastor of St. Anthony of Padua, effective July 1, 2023. I am originally from Grand Haven, Michigan, the oldest of five children. I root for a team that has never made the Super Bowl: the Detroit Lions. I have a B.S. and M.S. in Forestry and moved to Las Vegas in 1990, where I worked for Lockheed Martin.

My home parish in Las Vegas at the time was Holy Family Catholic Church. I was a Confirmation teacher, youth minister, Extraordinary Minister, member of the Knights of Columbus, and Scoutmaster for Troop 249. In 1995, I got laid off and started teaching at the Community College of Southern Nevada. I became a tenured professor and taught introductory computers, remote sensing, and GIS classes. I discerned that God was calling me to the priesthood, and entered the seminary in August 2000. I was ordained a priest in May 2005.

As a parochial vicar, or assistant priest, I have served at St. Peter the Apostle, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Francis of Assisi, and St. Anthony of Padua. I became pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church on January 1, 2017 and served for 6.5 years. Now I have come back to St. Anthony of Padua to serve as pastor.

I love to garden (so my favorite saints are St. Francis of Assisi and St. Fiacre). I like hiking and working out at the gym. You may see me at LVAC or Planet Fitness.

I am also involved with Boy Scouts of America and am on the Executive Board of the Las Vegas Council, BSA, and serve as a Chaplain at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico. I am an advisor to Alpha Phi Omega, a college service fraternity at UNLV.

I know a lot of people like to bring priests treats and meals. Just to let you all know in advance that I am gluten-free (nothing with wheat, barley, rye, or gluten).

I hope that together we will work to grow in our faith and adopt the mission to bring the Gospel to all.We need to all work to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ and share our love for Him and others with those we meet. I hope to help all of us grow in our love of Jesus. I am here to learn as much from you as you do from me.

Jesus tells us that we need to serve others, and that is what I hope to do for all of you. If I can do anything for you and your families, ask. Please pray for me and I will pray for you. You are all in my prayers as we work together to make St. Anthony of Padua the best parish it can be. May God bless you!!