Rev. Msgr. Lawrence J. McGovern, STL
Deceased: 2025-12-20
Diocese: STOCKTON
Seminary Graduation Year: 1968
The Reverend Monsignor Lawrence James McGovern, STL, was born in Newark, New Jersey on September 17, 1942 and died December 20, 2025. As a youngster, he wanted to become either a physician or a priest. He was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest on December 21, 1967, after completing his theological studies at the North American College located in Rome, Italy. He began his ministry in the Diocese of Stockton in California, where he served in multiple roles as a priest including Vocations Director and Chancellor under the direction of Bishop Roger Mahony. As Pastor, he served at the Cathedral of the Annunciation (Stockton), St. Anthony’s Catholic Church (Manteca), and the Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Stockton) where he provided pastoral services for sixteen years. He also served in many spiritual functions and was the Chaplain for the Stockton Serra Club.
Prior to his terminal illness, he provided Mass in Spanish at Holy Cross Catholic Church (Linden) where he was embraced by the Hispanic community. He was cared for at Good Samaritan Rehabilitation and Care Center in Stockton before his death on December 20, 2025. He was beloved by many parishioners, friends, and family, and is survived by three sisters, one brother, many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Recreationally, he enjoyed artistic painting, playing tennis, skiing, reading, completing crossword puzzles, traveling, attending the opera, and interacting with his friends and fellow priests.
Funeral Services will be at the Cathedral of the Annunciation, 400 W. Rose Street, Stockton, CA 95204. The Vigil is on January 13, 2026, at 6:30 p.m., and the Funeral Mass on January 14, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. The burial will take place on January 14, 2026, at the San Joaquin Catholic Cemetery, 719 E. Harding Way, Stockton, CA 95201 at 3:00 p.m.
The family requests that donations in his memory be made to the Diocese of Stockton Priest Retirement Fund (https://stocktondiocese.org/donate-to-priest-retirement-fund) or the Seminarian Education Fund (https://stocktondiocese.org/seminarian-education-donation).
