About Good Shepherd · Pacifica, California
Good Shepherd Catholic Church is a parish of the Archdiocese of San Francisco located at 901 Oceana Boulevard in Pacifica, California. Founded on October 1, 1951, it was one of fourteen new parishes established that year by Archbishop John J. Mitty and has served the Sharp Park, Pacific Manor, and Rockaway Beach neighborhoods of Pacifica for over seven decades. The parish community describes itself as 'grateful disciples of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd,' welcoming all and seeking to grow as a loving and nurturing community that serves others with their God-given gifts. Today the parish is led by Fr. Charito Suan, who became pastor in July 2020, assisted by two permanent deacons and a dedicated lay staff. The parish is currently preparing to celebrate its 75th anniversary (Jubilee Year 1951–2026) on October 11, 2026, with Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone as main celebrant.
- Established
- 1951
- Patron
- Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd
- Rector
- Fr. Charito Suan
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of San Francisco
Why belong here
Good Shepherd offers a close-knit Catholic community on the Pacifica coast where parishioners of all ages are welcomed and embraced for their diversity. The parish provides the full rhythm of Catholic sacramental life — weekend and daily Mass, Saturday confessions, OCIA for adults, a multi-year Religious Education program for First Reconciliation and First Communion, and Confirmation preparation — alongside active liturgical ministries (choir, lectors, altar servers, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist), outreach to the sick and homebound, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and service to the local homeless. With its long roots in Sharp Park since 1951, a beautifully expanded church with Huneke stained-glass windows, and a warm pastor who came from a missionary background in the Archdiocese of San Francisco, Good Shepherd is a place to grow in faith and put one's gifts at the service of others.
Mass times at Good Shepherd
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:45 pm – 4:45 pm (Rectory courtyard next to the rectory office)
Adoration times
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 9:00 am – 5:00 pm daily Monday–Friday in the church (per parish website)
Our Story: History of Good Shepherd Parish
Good Shepherd Parish traces its roots to 1951, when Catholics in the Sharp Park, Pacific Manor, and Rockaway Beach areas of Pacifica were being served by visiting priests from Holy Angels Parish in Colma. Archbishop John J. Mitty established the parish on October 1, 1951, as one of fourteen new parishes that year. A house on Brighton Road was purchased and its front parlor was converted into a chapel while the upper floor became the rectory. By mid-October 1951 the CCD (Oct. 14), Holy Name Society (Oct. 18) and Altar Society (Oct. 21) had organized around the 300 founding families, and in June 1953 the present church on Oceana Boulevard was completed. It was designed by Vincent Raney, built by Carrico and Gautier Construction, and dedicated by Archbishop Mitty on September 13, 1953. The parish hall was later named St. Rita Hall by founding pastor Fr. Mullen in honor of his devotion to St. Rita of Cascia. The church was expanded with side aisle seating in 1962, when Carl Huneke of Century Stained Glass Studio created the twelve beautiful stained-glass clerestory windows representing the Sacraments and symbols of the Faith. The parish will celebrate its 75th anniversary (Jubilee 1951–2026) on October 11, 2026, with Archbishop Cordileone as main celebrant.
- Founded October 1, 1951 by Archbishop John J. Mitty
- First chapel: converted parlor of a Brighton Road house
- Present church completed June 1953, dedicated September 13, 1953
- Designed by Vincent Raney; built by Carrico and Gautier Construction
- Stained-glass windows (1962) by Carl Huneke, Century Stained Glass Studio
- Parish hall named St. Rita Hall by first pastor Fr. Mullen
- 75th anniversary (Jubilee) — October 11, 2026, with Archbishop Cordileone
Parish Mission & Welcome
Good Shepherd Parish describes itself as 'grateful disciples of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd,' striving to be a faith-filled community through the prayerful celebration of the liturgy and sacraments. The parish welcomes all, embraces its diversity, and seeks to grow as a loving and nurturing community that serves others with God-given talents and gifts. Its mission is summed up as 'Becoming a community of Christ's missionary disciples.'
- Parish Mission Statement: 'We are grateful disciples of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd…'
- Goal: 'Becoming a community of Christ's missionary disciples'
- Welcoming spirit: embracing diversity and inviting all to grow in faith
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is served by its pastor, Fr. Charito Suan, two permanent deacons, and a small lay staff. Fr. Charito Suan became the pastor on July 1, 2020; he came to the United States in 1993 from the Archdiocese of Cebu, Philippines, and previously served fourteen years as pastor of St. Elizabeth Parish in San Francisco. The deacons assist across liturgical, sacramental, and faith-formation ministries, and the parish coordinator oversees the church, St. Rita Hall, and the rectory.
- Fr. Charito Suan — Pastor (since July 2020)
- Rev. Mr. Joseph LeBlanc — Permanent Deacon; Confirmation catechist
- Rev. Mr. Michael Gabriel — Permanent Deacon; Liturgy Coordinator & Baptism Coordinator
- Juliet Kalotkin — Church / St. Rita Coordinator & Rectory Housekeeper; Hospitality, Art & Environment, Religious Education Coordinator
Mass & Sacraments
The parish offers weekend and daily Mass, Saturday confessions, and Eucharistic Adoration during the week, along with preparation for the sacraments of Baptism, First Reconciliation and First Communion, Confirmation, and marriage. Adult newcomers enter through the OCIA (RCIA) process.
- Saturday Vigil Mass — 5:00 pm
- Sunday Mass — 9:00 am and 11:00 am (11:00 am live-streamed on YouTube)
- Daily Mass — Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 am
- Confessions — Saturday 3:45–4:45 pm in the courtyard next to the rectory office
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament — daily Monday–Friday, 9:00 am–5:00 pm
- Rosary / devotional prayer — Saturday 4:00 pm in the courtyard
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation is described on the parish website as 'a vital element of the Catholic life as we grow in knowledge and understanding of our faith in Jesus Christ and the Church he gave us.' Good Shepherd offers formation for children, youth, and adults through the Religious Education program (CCD), OCIA for adults, and Confirmation preparation, alongside the parish's collaboration with Good Shepherd School.
- Religious Education (CCD) — multi-year preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion (catechist Aida McIntyre); Reconciliation class at the School Tech Center (catechist Joana Ocreto)
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — Saturdays 10:45–11:45 am with Fr. Suan
- Confirmation — coordinated by Deacon Joe LeBlanc and Deacon Michael Gabriel
- Baptism Preparation — Deacon Michael Gabriel
- Good Shepherd School — parish Catholic school partnering in sacramental preparation (e.g., 8th grade Confirmation)
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Music and liturgical service are central to the parish's celebration of the liturgy and sacraments. The parish supports an Adult Choir and a Children's Choir (open to grades 1–8), along with the traditional liturgical ministries that bring the Mass to life each week.
- Adult Choir (2025–26) — contact Leswin D'Cunha
- Children's Choir — free program open to grades 1–8
- Lectors
- Altar Servers
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (incl. ministry to the sick and homebound)
Parish Life & Outreach
Beyond the liturgy, Good Shepherd offers many ways to be part of the parish family: groups for men and women, youth ministry, an annual parish bazaar, hospitality and Art & Environment teams, and active outreach to those in need. The parish website stresses that 'God calls us to use our gifts and talents to glorify Him and make life better for other people.'
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Hospitality Ministry
- Art & Environment
- Legion of Mary
- Youth Ministry
- Men's and Women's groups
- Annual parish bazaar
- Visits to the homebound and serving the poor
- Volunteering at local food pantries
- Monthly hot meals for the homeless
Jubilee Year 1951–2026
In 2026 Good Shepherd Parish will celebrate 75 years since its founding in 1951. The Jubilee Year celebration is scheduled for October 11, 2026, after the 11:00 am Mass, with Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone as the main celebrant. The parish is taking sponsorships for a souvenir book for the occasion.
- Jubilee Year 1951–2026
- Anniversary celebration: October 11, 2026 (after 11:00 am Mass)
- Main celebrant: Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone
- Souvenir book sponsorships available — contact the rectory office
Visit Us & Contact
Good Shepherd Catholic Church is located at 901 Oceana Boulevard in Pacifica. The rectory office is open during posted hours and can be reached by phone or email. Visitors are warmly invited to introduce themselves to Fr. Suan after Mass.
- Address: 901 Oceana Blvd, Pacifica, CA 94044
- Phone: (650) 355-2593
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.gschurchca.org/
- Sunday 11:00 am Mass live-streamed on the parish YouTube channel
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Mullen1951–c.1953 (founding era)
First pastor of Good Shepherd Parish; oversaw construction of the church on Oceana Boulevard (dedicated September 13, 1953) and named the parish hall St. Rita Hall out of devotion to St. Rita of Cascia.