About Guardian Angels Parish · Santee, California
Guardian Angels Parish is a Roman Catholic parish located in Santee, California, in the Diocese of San Diego. Founded in 1959 and formally established in 1962, it began with Masses celebrated in a laundromat on Mission Gorge Road before growing into one of the larger faith communities in the East County San Diego area. Today the parish serves more than 1,500 registered families, offering daily and Sunday Masses, faith formation for children and adults, a preschool, an active music ministry, and a wide range of outreach programs to the sick, the homeless, and those in need.
- Established
- 1962
- Patron
- Guardian Angels
- Rector
- Rev. André Ramos
- Diocese
- Diocese of San Diego
Why belong here
Guardian Angels is a multi-generational, family-friendly Catholic community in Santee that pairs traditional reverence (a rosary after weekday Mass, First Friday Sacred Heart devotions with Holy Hour, Eucharistic adoration) with lively parish life. Parishioners can get involved in more than thirty ministries — from liturgical roles and two parish choirs to the Knights of Columbus, a preschool, faith formation for every age, a food pantry, homeless and hospital outreach, and fellowship groups in English, Spanish, Filipino and Italian. With three Sunday Masses, a Saturday Vigil, daily Masses and easy access from East County, it is a parish where new families and long-time residents alike can find a place to serve and to belong.
Mass times at Guardian Angels Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- First Friday: Holy Hour following the 8:00 AM Mass with Devotion to the Sacred Heart
History of Guardian Angels Parish
Guardian Angels traces its origin to 1959, when Bishop Charles Buddy assigned Fr. Earl Smith to start a parish in Santee. Sunday Masses were first celebrated in a laundromat on Mission Gorge Road; the parish then moved to a private home on E. Heaney Circle that could seat 250 people in a covered patio. After receiving permission in 1961 to build a church, Father Smith named it Guardian Angels — inspired by the children of Santee — and selected Matthew 18:10 for the mosaic above the doors. He was formally appointed pastor and the parish was established on April 10, 1962; the church, social hall and rectory were built beginning April 22, 1963, with the first Masses in the new church on October 28, 1963 and dedication by Bishop Francis Furey on April 14, 1964.
- 1959: Fr. Earl Smith assigned to start a parish in Santee; Mass in a laundromat on Mission Gorge Rd.
- 1960: Parish relocates to a home at 9312 E. Heaney Cir. with a covered patio for ~250 people.
- 1961: Fr. Smith receives permission to build a church and names it Guardian Angels.
- April 10, 1962: Fr. Smith officially appointed pastor; Guardian Angels Parish is established.
- April 22, 1963: Construction of the church, social hall and rectory begins.
- October 28, 1963: First Masses are celebrated in the new church.
- April 14, 1964: Bishop Francis Furey dedicates the church, rectory and classrooms.
- Cunnane Parish Center added on campus and dedicated by Bishop Robert Brom.
- 1998: Guardian Angels Preschool opens in a repurposed metal building on the property.
- 2012: Parish marks its 50th anniversary under pastor Fr. Kevin P. Casey, S.J.
- 2019: Parish celebrates its 60th anniversary.
Parish Staff and Clergy
Guardian Angels is led by its pastor and supported by a team of parish and faith formation staff who handle the day-to-day needs of the community. Staff can be reached through the main office line at (619) 448-1213 using the extensions listed on the parish website.
- Pastor: Rev. André Ramos (x304)
- Parish Secretary / front office (x301)
- Bookkeeper (x306)
- Director of Faith Formation: Tammy Mansir (619-596-3282; absence line x310)
- Admin for Faith Formation (x312, x313)
- Youth Minister (x309)
- Parish Center & Social Hall Manager: Mario Maes
- Preschool Director: Dee Aguirre (x314)
- Preschool staff: Rosie Prieto, Leslie Moreland, Isaac Deken, Melody Ciaravino
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The Faith Formation office at Guardian Angels prepares children and adults for the Sacraments and walks with them as they grow in the Catholic faith. Programs are coordinated by the Director of Faith Formation and supported by two administrators. Families register online through the parish website.
- Director of Faith Formation: Tammy Mansir
- Faith Formation for children (Sacramental preparation for First Eucharist, Reconciliation, Confirmation)
- Youth Ministry with dedicated Youth Minister
- Adult faith formation and ongoing religious education
- Online registration available through the parish website
Guardian Angels Preschool
The Guardian Angels Preschool has been part of parish life since 1998, when an existing metal building on the campus was repurposed for the program. It is led by a Preschool Director and a team of teachers, and operates as a ministry of the parish to young families in Santee.
- Preschool Director: Dee Aguirre (619-448-1213 x314)
- Teachers on staff: Rosie Prieto, Leslie Moreland, Isaac Deken, Melody Ciaravino
- Program opened on the parish campus in 1998
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners of all ages serve at the altar and in supporting roles at Mass. The liturgical ministries at Guardian Angels are essential to the smooth celebration of every liturgy, and new members are welcomed to join.
- Altar Servers
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
- Hospitality Team (ushers/greeters)
- Lectors
Music Ministry
Music ministry at Guardian Angels supports the Masses through cantors, accompanists, and two parish choirs — a traditional choir and a contemporary choir — as well as a dedicated music group for the 10:00 AM Sunday Mass. Musicians and singers are invited to participate.
- 10:00 AM Sunday Mass music ministry
- Cantors and Music Accompaniment
- Contemporary Choir
- Traditional Music Choir
Parish Organizations and Fellowship
A range of parish organizations and fellowship groups give parishioners ways to grow spiritually, serve the community, and build friendships. The parish hosts a Hispanic Community, a Filipino-American Group, and an Italian Catholic Federation alongside other groups rooted in Catholic tradition.
- Italian Catholic Federation
- Knights of Columbus
- Women's Guild
- Hispanic Community
- Filipino-American Group
- Legion of Mary
- Cursillo
- Family Life & Spirituality
- Filii Mariae
- Mom's Ministry
- Widows & Widowers Group
- Prayers & Squares (prayer quilt ministry)
Community Outreach and Charity
Outreach is at the heart of Guardian Angels' mission. The parish runs a food pantry, takes part in holiday giving, visits the sick and homebound, and partners with community organizations such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Parishioners regularly donate blood through parish blood drives, and the parish supports Rachel's House and a Homeless Outreach ministry.
- Food Pantry
- Homeless Outreach
- Holiday Outreach
- Hospital & Nursing Home Ministry
- Ministry to the Sick
- Lay Pastors
- Alcoholics Anonymous (hosted)
- Parish Blood Drives
- Culture of Life Committee
- Rachel's House
Parish Councils and Community Life
Pastoral leadership is supported by several parish councils and community committees that help plan, govern, and celebrate parish life. The annual Fall Festival is a long-standing parish tradition.
- Parish Council
- Parish Finance Council
- Safety Ministry
- Social Media Ministry
- Fall Festival
Visit Us — Contact and Office Hours
The parish office is open throughout the week to assist with sacramental needs, registrations, facility rentals, and general inquiries. Visitors are warmly welcomed at all Masses.
- Address: 9310 Dalehurst Rd, Santee, CA 92071
- Phone: (619) 448-1213
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://guardianangelssantee.org
- Office hours: Monday 8:30 AM–4:00 PM; Tuesday–Friday 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
- Facebook: Guardian Angels Santee
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Earl Smith1959–1962 (founder); officially appointed pastor 1962
Assigned by Bishop Charles Buddy in 1959 to start a parish in Santee; named the parish after seeing all the children in Santee and chose Matthew 18:10 for the mosaic above the church doors.
- Rev. Michael Cunnane
Retired pastor at time of 50th anniversary in 2012; Cunnane Parish Hall on campus is named for him.
- Rev. Kevin P. Casey, S.J.
Pastor at time of 50th anniversary celebration in 2012 (a Jesuit).
- Rev. André Ramos
Current pastor listed on parish staff page.