About Holy Spirit · Fremont, California
Holy Spirit Catholic Church is a historic parish located in the center of Fremont, California, serving the local community since 1886. Originally established as Holy Ghost Church in what was then the Portuguese farming community of Centerville, it is one of the oldest Catholic congregations in the region and a notable local landmark. Today, with seating for nearly 1,000 people, a parish school (Holy Spirit School), a preschool, an active music program, and dozens of ministries, Holy Spirit continues to welcome worshipers from across Fremont, Livermore, and surrounding cities in the Diocese of Oakland. The parish lives by its motto, "Be Spirit Filled and Make Disciples," offering daily and Sunday Masses in English, with livestreamed services and an active Faith Formation program for all ages.
- Established
- 1886
- Patron
- Holy Spirit
- Rector
- Fr. Edilberto Castanas
- Diocese
- Diocese of Oakland
Why belong here
Holy Spirit is a parish with deep roots — founded in 1886 and rebuilt by its own parishioners after the 1919 fire — that today offers a full range of opportunities to grow in faith and serve others. Daily and Sunday Masses (with several livestreamed), weekday and Saturday confession, daily adoration in the chapel, and a robust Faith Formation program for children, youth, and adults (including OCIA, Confirmation, and a Young Adult Ministry) make it easy to plug in spiritually. Practical outreach through St. Vincent de Paul, Respect Life, the Filipino Society, and a Sick & Homebound Ministry, plus a parish school (Holy Spirit School) and preschool on campus, give families a true home parish in the heart of Fremont.
Mass times at Holy Spirit
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
- Tuesday & Thursday: 8:45 am – 9:30 am
- Thursday before First Friday: 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
- Private confessions available by appointment (call 510-797-1660)
Adoration times
- Tuesday & Thursday: 8:45 am – 9:30 am (in church)
- Daily: 6:00 am – 6:00 pm (in chapel)
Parish History
Holy Spirit Catholic Church traces its roots to 1886, when its cornerstone was laid on March 28 as Holy Ghost Church in the predominantly Portuguese farming community of Centerville. It was dedicated that October by Vicar General Fr. John J. Prendergast, with homilies in English and Portuguese. Renamed Holy Spirit when Centerville and four other districts combined to form Fremont, the original wooden church was destroyed by fire in 1919 and rebuilt by parishioners themselves as a stucco, cross-shaped building over six years. The parish grew again in 1965 with the addition of the North nave, and today seats nearly 1,000 people.
- 1886 — cornerstone laid by Bishop Eugene O'Connell of Grass Valley
- October 17, 1886 — church dedicated by Vicar General Fr. John J. Prendergast
- 1919 — original wooden church destroyed by fire (candle left after a funeral)
- 1920s — stucco church rebuilt by parishioners; cross-shaped footprint
- 1960 — pipe organ rebuilt by Schoenstein & Sons (868 pipes, two manuals)
- 1965 — North nave extension built; marble altar donated
- 1978 — Schulmerich Carillon electronic bell system installed
Features of the Church Building
The present church combines the 1920s stucco structure with the 1965 North nave extension, divided by a central sanctuary with a donated marble altar between the 'All Saints' (old) and 'St. John' (new) sides. Notable furnishings include the Schoenstein & Sons pipe organ, a 15-foot mosaic mural behind the Altar of Repose by Isabel and Edith Piscek, a Portuguese-forged bell in the South tower that survived the 1919 fire, and a Schulmerich Carillon electronic bell system in the North tower that tolls the Angelus.
- Seating for nearly 1,000
- 868-pipe Schoenstein & Sons organ (two manuals)
- 15-foot mosaic mural of people offering gifts to Christ (Piscek sisters)
- Portuguese-forged historical bell (South tower)
- Schulmerich Carillon electronic bell system (North tower, 1978)
Clergy, Deacons & Staff
Holy Spirit is served by a pastoral team including the pastor, parochial vicars, five deacons, and religious sisters, supported by a broader staff in faith formation, sacred music, youth ministry, and parish operations.
- Pastor: Fr. Edilberto Castanas
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Ken Sales
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Hoa Binh Ha
- Priest: Fr. Frank Kuwornu
- Deacons: Jose Feliciano, Chuck Glover, Steve Lewellyn, Bernard Liwanag, Tim Roberto
- Sisters: Sr. Annette Burkart, Sr. Karen Pozniak
- Director of Sacred Music: Paul Orella
- Director of Faith Formation & Evangelization: Robert Alberto
- Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry: Mario Castellanos
- Holy Spirit Preschool Director: Holly Marsh
Liturgy & Sacraments
Beyond Mass, the parish offers all seven sacraments — Reconciliation, Eucharist, Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders (vocations support). Adult Baptism and Confirmation for those 18+ are prepared through the OCIA program. Children's Faith Formation and a two-year teen Confirmation program (Grades 9–12) prepare younger members of the parish. Marriage preparation is scheduled through the parish office.
- Reconciliation — weekly schedule plus appointment
- Eucharist — daily, Sunday, First Friday, Our Lady of Perpetual Help
- Adult Baptism (18+) — via OCIA
- Confirmation — two-year youth program for Grades 9–12; adults via OCIA
- First Holy Communion — children through Faith Formation; adults via OCIA
- Marriage Preparation — contact parish office
- Anointing of the Sick / Sick & Homebound Ministry
Faith Formation
Holy Spirit's Faith Formation office supports the spiritual growth of every age: children, teens, adults, and families. Programs run during the academic year, with registration announced in the summer and bulletin.
- Adult Faith Formation — Scripture study, discussion groups, lifelong learning
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — Tuesdays 7:30–9:00 pm, beginning September; one-year journey culminating at Easter Vigil
- Children's Faith Formation (Catechesis)
- Confirmation — Grades 9–12, two-year program
- Middle School Group — Grades 6–8, Thursdays 4:30–6:00 pm
- Young Adult Ministry — Wednesdays 7:00–9:00 pm at de Sousa House 4-Plex
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
Rooted in the parish motto 'Be Spirit Filled and Make Disciples,' the youth programs offer formation, fellowship, and service for middle schoolers, high schoolers, and adults in their 20s and 30s. The flagship youth-led St. Queen Isabella Ministry invites young women and men in Grades 9–12 into leadership, devotion, and service through the Crown, Queen's Corps, and Queen's Guard.
- Confirmation Preparation (Grades 9–12, two years)
- Middle School Group (Grades 6–8)
- St. Queen Isabella Ministry — Crown, Queen's Corps, Queen's Guard
- Young Adult Ministry (20s–30s)
- Director: Mario Castellanos
Parish School & Preschool
Holy Spirit School is a faith-based Catholic elementary school on the parish campus at 3930 Parish Ave., with the mission of nurturing students' faith and spiritual growth through gospel values and Catholic virtues on a foundation of academic excellence. The school also operates Holy Spirit Preschool for the parish's youngest learners.
- Holy Spirit School — 3930 Parish Ave., Fremont, CA 94536
- Phone: (510) 793-3553
- Email: [email protected]
- Principal: Paul Orella
- Holy Spirit Preschool — on campus
- Preschool Director: Holly Marsh
- Motto: 'Have a Heart Like Jesus'
Ministries & Outreach
The parish organizes its ministries into five categories — Catechesis, Hospitality, Liturgy, Prayer, and Service & Outreach — under the direction of the pastor. From the historic St. Vincent de Paul Society to the Filipino Society, Respect Life, and music ministries, there are dozens of ways for parishioners to put their faith into action.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society (510-797-3028)
- Catholic Youth Organization (CYO)
- Music Ministry / Choir (Paul Orella, 510-673-3873)
- Eucharistic Ministers at Mass and to the Sick
- Lectors and Youth Acolytes
- Respect Life Ministry
- Marriage Preparation
- Funeral Ministry
- Holy Spirit Filipino Society
- St. Queen Isabella Ministry
- Women Gather
- Divine Mercy Apostolate
Devotions
Beyond the standard liturgical calendar, Holy Spirit hosts several beloved devotions that draw the parish together throughout the year.
- Wednesday evening Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mass (6:30 pm)
- First Friday Mass (7 am, 8:15 am, 6:30 pm)
- Divine Mercy Apostolate
- Our Lady of Fatima events
- Annual Lenten Penance Service
- Stations of the Cross during Lent
- Daily Adoration (chapel, 6 am–6 pm)
Getting Involved
Parishioners are encouraged to register as members of a ministry through the parish website. The pastor has asked that all ministries begin and end their meetings in prayer — opening with the Angelus and closing with the parish prayer.
- Register for a ministry via the parish website
- Five ministry categories: Catechesis, Hospitality, Liturgy, Prayer, Service & Outreach
- Open meetings begin with the Angelus; close with the Parish Prayer
- Help line for the registration form: (510) 456-4972
Contact & Visit
Holy Spirit Catholic Church welcomes visitors and parishioners at its central Fremont campus, with offices, worship spaces, and the parish school all within walking distance of one another.
- Address: 37588 Fremont Blvd, Fremont, CA 94536
- Phone: (510) 797-1660
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: holyspiritfremont.org
- Facebook: HolySpiritChurchFremont
- Motto: 'Be Spirit Filled and Make Disciples'