About Diocese of Stockton
The Diocese of Stockton (Latin: Diœcesis Stocktoniensis) is a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church serving California's Central Valley and Mother Lode region. Erected on January 13, 1962 by Pope John XXIII, it covers six counties — Alpine, Calaveras, Mono, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tuolumne — with 35 parishes and 14 missions served by 94 priests. Its mother church is the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Stockton, and it is a suffragan of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of San Francisco. As of 2017 the diocese counted roughly 298,061 Catholics (21.6%) in a total population of about 1.37 million. The current ordinary is Bishop Myron J. Cotta, the sixth bishop, appointed by Pope Francis in 2018.
- Bishop
- Myron Joseph Cotta
- Established
- 1962
- Cathedral
- Cathedral of the Annunciation, Stockton (400 W. Rose Street, Stockton, CA 95203)
- Territory
- Counties of Alpine, Calaveras, Mono, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne in California's Central Valley and Mother Lode region
- Parishes
- 35 parishes and 14 missions
- Province
- Archdiocese of San Francisco (Ecclesiastical Province of San Francisco)
About the Diocese of Stockton
The Diocese of Stockton serves the Catholic faithful across six Central Valley and Sierra counties — Alpine, Calaveras, Mono, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tuolumne — from its Pastoral Center at 212 N. San Joaquin Street in downtown Stockton. With 94 priests serving 35 parishes and 14 missions, the diocese lives out its mission of 'Faithful Service to All' through parish life, Catholic education, faith formation, charity and worship. It is a suffragan of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of San Francisco and part of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Region XI (California and Hawaii). Bishop Myron J. Cotta, the sixth bishop, leads the local church with a particular emphasis on full, active and conscious participation in the sacramental and missionary life of the Church.
- Six counties: Alpine, Calaveras, Mono, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tuolumne
- 35 parishes and 14 missions
- 94 priests
- Suffragan of the Archdiocese of San Francisco
- Pastoral Center: 212 N. San Joaquin Street, Stockton, CA 95202
Our Bishop — Most Reverend Myron J. Cotta
Bishop Myron Joseph Cotta was appointed the sixth Bishop of Stockton by Pope Francis on January 23, 2018 and installed on March 15, 2018 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Modesto. Born March 21, 1953 in Dos Palos, California to Daniel and Mary Cotta, a Portuguese-American dairy-farming family, Bishop Cotta was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Fresno on September 12, 1987. He served as parochial vicar at St. Anthony in Atwater, administrator of Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Laton, and pastor of Our Lady of Miracles Parish in Gustine before becoming vicar general and moderator of the curia for Fresno. He was named a Monsignor in 2002 and a Prelate of Honor in 2009. Pope Francis named him Auxiliary Bishop of Sacramento in 2014 and he was consecrated at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament before his appointment to Stockton. His episcopal motto is 'Graça e misericórdia' (Grace and mercy).
- Sixth Bishop of Stockton
- Installed March 15, 2018 at St. Stanislaus, Modesto
- Born March 21, 1953 in Dos Palos, California
- Previously Auxiliary Bishop of Sacramento (2014–2018)
- Fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese
- Motto: Graça e misericórdia (Grace and mercy)
Cathedral of the Annunciation
The mother church of the diocese is the Cathedral of the Annunciation, located at 400 W. Rose Street in Stockton. Originally built in 1942 as 'the new St. Mary's' under Archbishop John J. Mitty of San Francisco, the modified-Gothic brick church was designed by San Francisco architect Henry A. Minton and constructed by Stockton contractors Shepherd and Green at a final cost of $285,000. A ninety-two-foot belfry rises above the northeast corner; limestone steps and a vaulted ceiling mark the entrance. The cathedral was named a Jubilee Church for the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in 2016. Today it serves as both the diocesan seat and an active parish, offering daily Mass in English and weekend Masses in both English and Spanish.
- Address: 400 W. Rose Street, Stockton, CA 95203
- Parish office: 425 W. Magnolia Street, Stockton, CA 95203
- Phone: (209) 463-1305
- Pastor: Fr. Cesar Martinez
- Built 1942; architect Henry A. Minton
- Designated Jubilee Church 2016
Cathedral Mass and Confession Schedule
The Cathedral of the Annunciation offers a robust schedule of daily and weekend Masses in English and Spanish, alongside regular confession times. The cathedral also hosts devotional groups such as a weekly Holy Hour, Legión de María, Grupo de Oración, and adult and Spanish choirs.
- Saturday Vigil: 5:30 PM (English), 7:00 PM (Español)
- Sunday: 7:00 AM (English), 9:00 AM (English), 11:00 AM (English), 1:00 PM (Español)
- Daily Mass: Monday–Friday 8:00 AM (English)
- Confessions: Wednesday 7:00–8:00 PM; Saturday 8:30–9:30 AM
- Thursday Holy Hour / Hora Santa: 7:00 PM
History of the Diocese
Pope John XXIII erected the Diocese of Stockton on January 13, 1962 by taking Calaveras, Mono, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tuolumne counties from the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the Diocese of Sacramento. Auxiliary Bishop Hugh A. Donohoe of San Francisco was named the first bishop. In 1966 Alpine County was added from Sacramento. Six bishops have now led the diocese — Donohoe (1962–69), Merlin Guilfoyle (1969–79), Roger Mahony (1980–85, later Cardinal Archbishop of Los Angeles), Donald Montrose (1985–99), Stephen Blaire (1999–2018), and Myron J. Cotta (2018–present). The diocese's golden jubilee was marked in 2012 with parish-level Corpus Christi celebrations emphasizing collaborative governance.
- Erected January 13, 1962 by Pope John XXIII
- First bishop: Hugh A. Donohoe
- Alpine County added September 15, 1966
- Six bishops to date
- Roger Mahony served here before becoming Cardinal Archbishop of Los Angeles
Catholic Schools
Catholic education in the Diocese of Stockton encompasses 2 high schools, 11 elementary schools, and 7 preschools. All elementary and high schools are fully accredited by the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Schools (ACS WASC), and all preschools are licensed through the California Community Care Licensing Division. The diocesan Catholic Schools Office supports these schools through curriculum, faith integration, professional development and the SEEDS scholarship program ('Growing Faith through Student Scholarships') which enables children from lower-income families to access Catholic education.
- 2 high schools
- 11 elementary schools
- 7 licensed preschools
- Accredited by WCEA and ACS WASC
- SEEDS tuition scholarship program
- Volunteers must complete VIRTUS training and fingerprinting
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The diocesan Office of Evangelization and Faith Formation partners with parish catechetical leaders to support Adult Faith Formation, Youth Ministry, OCIA for Children and Adults, sacramental preparation and ongoing catechist development. Each year the diocese hosts an awards banquet honoring parish catechetical staff and volunteer catechists, presenting awards in 5-year service increments beginning at 5 years. Professional development resources include webinars with Ave Maria Press, Loyola Press, the Catholic Apostolate Center and Boston College.
- Adult Faith Formation
- Youth Ministry
- Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) for children and adults
- Sacramental preparation support
- Annual catechist awards banquet (5-year increments)
- Webinars via Ave Maria Press, Loyola Press, Catholic Apostolate Center, Boston College
Ministries and Departments
The diocesan offices and ministries coordinate the works of the local Church across worship, formation, education, charity and protection. Bishop Cotta's vision emphasizes that 'Christianity requires acknowledging Christ in every dimension of our lives,' and the offices exist to enable full, active and conscious participation in parish and diocesan life.
- Catholic Education
- Faith Formation / Formación de Fe
- Worship
- Vocations
- Catholic Social Teaching
- Respect Life
- Protection of Children and Youth
Catholic Social Teaching and Outreach
The diocese's Catholic Social Teaching ministry animates parishes to apply the Church's social doctrine to the realities of the Central Valley, including issues affecting migrant farmworkers, the working poor, immigrants and the homeless. Parishes operate food pantries, St. Vincent de Paul conferences, and outreach to farmworker communities throughout San Joaquin, Stanislaus and the Mother Lode counties.
- Parish-based St. Vincent de Paul conferences
- Food pantries and immigrant support
- Farmworker outreach in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties
- Respect Life ministry
Protection of Children and Youth
In keeping with the U.S. bishops' Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, the Diocese of Stockton maintains rigorous safe-environment standards for any adult working with minors — including background checks and VIRTUS training for school and parish volunteers.
- Fingerprinting required for all volunteers
- VIRTUS safe-environment training
- Diocesan review board for allegations
- Compliance with USCCB Charter
Vocations and Seminarians
The diocese actively promotes vocations to the priesthood and religious life, with prayer resources available for vocations and for current seminarians, and parish-based discernment support.
- Prayer for Vocations resources
- Prayer for our Seminarians
- Parish discernment support
Parish Finder and Worship
Catholics and visitors can locate the nearest parish or mission through the diocese's online Parish Finder. Each of the 35 parishes and 14 missions offers its own schedule of Masses, confessions and devotions, with bilingual (English/Spanish) worship widely available across the Valley.
- Online Parish Finder at stocktondiocese.org
- 35 parishes across 6 counties
- 14 missions
- Bilingual Mass schedules (English and Spanish)
News, Events and Getting Involved
The diocese publishes regular updates from Bishop Cotta, news from parishes and schools, and the Bishop's Calendar. Supporters can subscribe for email updates on the diocesan website, follow the diocese on social media (Facebook, X/Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn), or contribute to ministries like SEEDS, parish annual appeals and the Bishop's ministries.
- Subscribe to diocesan email updates
- Bishop's Messages and Calendar
- Parish and school news
- Social media: Facebook, X/Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn
