Legionaries of Christ Community
Cupertino, California
Fr. Kevin Lixey, LC
Community Superior
Fr. Kevin is the superior of the Legionary community in Cupertino, CA. He was ordained a priest with the Legionaries of Christ in 2001 and holds a bachelors in theology, an MBA in Theological Anthropology, and a bachelors in philosophy. Fr. Kevin has served as the vice rector of the Legionary novitiate in CT, the head of the “Church and Sport” section of the Pontifical Council for the Laity at the Vatican, the director of the Regnum Christi women's section in Atlanta, and the International Director of the Patrons of the Arts in Vatican City, among other positions. Fr. Kevin has written several books and articles and is fluent in four languages. He enjoys painting, woodworking, and playing the guitar and banjo.
Fr. Thomas Vendetti, LC
OLSC Program Director
Father Thomas is originally from Rockville, MD. He joined the novitiate of the Legion of Christ in Connecticut in 1995. He studied philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome and obtained a licentiate in philosophy and bachelors in theology. He recently completed his MA in Christian Spirituality at Fordham University in NY, focusing on the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. Since his ordination to the priesthood in 2009 he has served in the New York Tristate area for four years as vice rector and director of development for the Legionaries’ center of philosophy in Thornwood, NY, as well as chaplain for Regnum Christi in Manhattan. From 2013 to 2016 he was local director and chaplain for Regnum Christi in Chicago. He is currently serving in the Bay Area as director for Our Lady of Santa Clara Retreat Center and chaplain for Regnum Christi.
Fr. Brian Shininger, LC
RC Chaplain
Father Brian is a native of Defiance, Ohio. After obtaining his Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Bowling Green State University he entered the Legionaries of Christ in 1994. He completed his seminary studies at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome, Italy and was ordained to the priesthood in 2005. He was engaged in seminarian formation and administration in Connecticut and California until 2010, after which he spent two years in Mexico City as a spiritual director for laity in the Regnum Christi Movement and assisted in retreats and missionary work. Since returning to the United States in 2012, in addition to being the religious superior for the local Legionary community, he has continued his work as a retreat director and spiritual director at Our Lady of Santa Clara Retreat Center in Cupertino, California.
Fr. Simon Devereaux, LC
Spiritual Director
Father Simon was born in New Zealand. He joined the Legionaries in 1997 and studied in Connecticut, Canada and Rome. After his ordination in 2010 he worked on East Coast ministering to youth, young adults and families. Since 2018 he has been assigned to the Legionary community in San Jose where he ministers principally to college students and young professionals. Fr Simon enjoys playing the guitar, the outdoors and cooking.
Fr. Matthew Schmitz, LC
ECYD Director
Father Matthew grew up in Minnesota and entered religious life with the Legionaries of Christ after high school. As part of his preparation for the priesthood he studied humanities at the Legion of Christ College of Humanities in Cheshire, Connecticut. Later in Rome he studied graduate level philosophy and an undergrad in theology at the Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum. He was ordained a priest in late 2013. His first assignment was chaplain and teacher at Dublin Oak Academy. Later in Houston he continued school chaplaincy and added mission trips. Most recently he was chaplain at Canyon Heights Academy and now is focused on leadership programs for young people.
Fr. Tamson Nguyen, LC
Canyon Heights Academy Chaplain
I was born in Kansas, grew up in Nebraska, but then joined the minor seminary for the Legionaries of Christ. Afterwards, I entered the novitiate and professed my first vows in 2010. After five years of seminary studies, I was send to San Jose, California for apostolic experience. I returned to Rome in 2018 to study theology. I made my perpetual profession in 2019, and I was ordained in 2022. I am currently working in Canyon Heights Academy as chaplain and teacher.
Fr. Andres Orellana, LC
RC Chaplain
Bio coming soon...