Bishop Emeritus William K. Weigand will preside at a funeral Mass for Father Martin Brusato at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11 in St. Anthony Church, located at 660 Florin Road in Sacramento.
Father Brusato, who served as a priest of the diocese for nearly 29 years, died on Jan. 1. He was 59.
Msgr. Albert O’Connor will be the homilist at the funeral Mass on Jan. 11. A reception will follow in the parish hall. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, located at 6509 Fruitridge Road, where Msgr. O’Connor will preside at the graveside service at 2:30 p.m.
Auxiliary Bishop Myron J. Cotta will preside at a vigil service for Father Brusato on Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. in St. Anthony Church. Deacon David Cabrera will preach at the service. Viewing will begin at 5 p.m.., followed by praying of the rosary at 6:30 p.m.
A native of Sacramento, Father Brusato is a graduate of St. Anne School and of Christian Brothers High School in 1976. While in high school, he was involved in the Catholic Youth Organization at St. Anne, where he later served as full-time parish coordinator and was active in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. He also served as youth and young adult minister, coordinating programs and activities in the parish.
He earned an associate degree from Sierra College and a Bachelor of Arts degree and master’s degrees in theology and psychology from the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley. He studied for the priesthood at St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park. He was also a captain in the Air Force Chaplaincy Program.
He served his transitional diaconate year at Holy Rosary Church in Woodland. He was ordained to the priesthood on April 22, 1989 by Bishop Francis A. Quinn in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament.
He was associate pastor of Presentation Parish in Sacramento form 1989 to 1991 and of St. Joseph Parish in Elk Grove from 1991 to 1995. From 1995 to 1997, he served as vice chancellor and secretary to Bishop William K. Weigand, while in residence at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament.
On May 30, 1995, Father Brusato was the victim of a violent attack during a break-in at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, by a man who severely beat him with a wine bottle while he was sleeping. The injuries resulting from the attack affected Father Brusato throughout the rest of his priestly ministry.
Father Brusato served as pastor of St. Christopher Parish in Galt from 1996 to 1999. During those years he raised the funds to build a new church.
In later years he held various ministry assignments, including serving at Mercy General Hospital, and as parochial vicar of St. James Parish in Davis and St. Clare Parish in Roseville. He also filled in at several Sacramento-area parishes as the celebrant at weekend Masses, including St. Anthony Parish and Holy Spirit Parish in Sacramento, and St. Joseph Parish in Clarksburg.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Carol. He is survived by his father, Ronald; three sisters, Tamrah, Lisa Martin (Doug) and Julie Shaffer (James); stepmother Jerry Brusato; stepbrothers Jason Landreth (Debra), Michael Lenzi (Pat); stepsister Debra Lenzi; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services, Christian Brothers High School or the charity of your choice.