About Holy Spirit · Sacramento, California
Holy Spirit Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Sacramento serving the Land Park, South Land Park, and Greenhaven neighborhoods of Sacramento, California. Established on April 1, 1940 as Sacramento's fifth Catholic parish, it grew from an original 400 families into a three-generation spiritual home for many local Catholics. The parish shares a campus with Holy Spirit Parish School, a TK–8 elementary school opened in 1948, and offers traditional devotions including Eucharistic Adoration, the St. Vincent de Paul conference, RCIA, and ongoing faith formation for children and youth.
- Established
- 1940
- Patron
- Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost, the third person of the Blessed Trinity)
- Rector
- Rev. Loreto 'Bong' Rojas
- Diocese
- Diocese of Sacramento
Why belong here
Holy Spirit is one of Sacramento's oldest Catholic parishes, with a documented history stretching back to 1940 and a school that has educated Land Park children since 1948. Worship is rooted in a simple, traditional schedule — Saturday Vigil Mass, two Sunday Masses, and a daily 8 AM weekday Mass — and is complemented by Eucharistic Adoration on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays and Saturday confessions. Parishioners are drawn into community through the St. Vincent de Paul conference, RCIA, scripture studies, the '20–90' group, faith formation for K–8 students, and a relationship-based youth ministry, making it a place where families can be involved across generations.
Mass times at Holy Spirit
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–3:45 PM
- Or by appointment — call (916) 443-5442
Adoration times
- 1st Thursday 6:00–7:00 PM
- 3rd Thursday 6:00–7:00 PM
Our Story & Parish History
Holy Spirit Parish was established on April 1, 1940 by Bishop Robert Armstrong as Sacramento's fifth Catholic parish, with Rev. Patrick A. McHugh named as founding pastor. A church was begun in July 1940 and completed before Christmas, with the words 'The charity of God is poured forth in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who is given to us' carved above its entry. The original 400 families more than filled the building within a decade and a half, and a new wing by Fred Chapek Construction opened on Christmas Day 1957. Today the parish is a three-generation spiritual home for many Land Park families and continues to honor the legacy of its founders through ministries, faith formation, and its parish school.
- Founded April 1, 1940 as Sacramento's fifth Catholic parish
- Founding pastor Msgr. Patrick McHugh, 1940–1972
- Church built July–December 1940; original entrance inscription quotes Romans 5:5
- Church wing added in 1957 by Fred Chapek Construction, opened Christmas Day 1957
- Holy Spirit School opened 1948 under Sister Mary Ita Cunningham and three Sisters of Mercy
Clergy, Staff & Parish Office
Holy Spirit Parish is led by its pastor, Fr. Loreto 'Bong' Rojas, and served by Deacon Danny Patterson. The parish office is staffed by an administrative assistant, bookkeeper, and the Youth/Child Faith Formation Coordinator. The parish and school operate from the same campus in the Land Park neighborhood.
- Pastor: Fr. Loreto 'Bong' Rojas
- Deacon: Deacon Danny Patterson
- Administrative Assistant: Margaret Vibandor
- Bookkeeper: Sharon Ambrose
- Youth/CFF Coordinator: Suzann Oseguera — (916) 443-5442 ext. 104
- School Principal: Raphael 'Rocky' Domingo — (916) 448-5663
- St. Vincent de Paul: (916) 397-7264
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Holy Spirit runs a full slate of formation programs for children, youth, and adults, anchored by the parish school and the parish's own Child Faith Formation (CFF) program. Classes are designed to support parents as the primary witnesses of the faith to their children, in line with the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
- Child Faith Formation (CFF) — K–8th grade, mostly Monday evenings September–May
- Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC) for unbaptized children past the age of reason
- First Communion and Confirmation sacramental preparation (additional retreat fees apply)
- RCIA — adult inquiry beginning each July, culminating in the Easter Vigil
- Youth Ministry — relationship-based faith hub for middle and high school students
Youth Ministry
Designed in conformity with the U.S. Bishops' pastoral framework Renewing the Vision, Holy Spirit's Youth Ministry is a relationship-based faith resource hub for adolescents. The program maintains three stated goals: empowering young people to live as disciples of Jesus, drawing them into responsible participation in the Catholic faith community, and fostering their total personal and spiritual growth. Inquiries are directed to Suzann Oseguera, Youth/CFF Coordinator, at (916) 443-5442.
RCIA — Becoming Catholic
The parish runs the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for unbaptized adults, baptized Christians seeking full communion, and baptized Catholics who have not yet been confirmed. Sessions begin each July and the process typically spans 12–18 months, culminating in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. The parish also welcomes already-baptized Catholics who wish to deepen their faith and complete their initiation.
- Inquiry phase begins each July
- Rite of Election celebrated with the Bishop at the Cathedral at the start of Lent
- Easter Vigil: reception of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist
- Already-baptized Catholics may complete initiation through this process
Ministries & Parish Groups
The parish website lists many ways parishioners can become involved, from social justice to liturgy to fellowship. Below is the working list of ministries featured on the parish's 'Time Ministries' and main ministries pages.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society (Holy Spirit Conference)
- RCIA — adult initiation sponsors and presenters
- Children's Faith Formation teachers and assistants (K–8)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (K–4 at 9 AM Sunday Mass)
- Adult Faith Formation — evening and daytime Bible studies
- Baptism Preparation team
- Liturgical Ministers
- Hospitality Ministers
- Scripture Study groups
- '20–90' group (intergenerational fellowship)
- Holy Spirit School/Parish liaison ministry
- Prayer Community
Sacraments
Sacraments at Holy Spirit are coordinated through the Parish Office. Baptisms are scheduled by appointment, weddings require contacting the office in advance, and the parish runs full preparation tracks for First Communion, Confirmation, and the adult RCIA process.
- Baptism — by appointment; contact the Parish Office
- First Communion — through the CFF program
- Confirmation — through CFF/RCIA, with the Bishop at the Cathedral
- Marriage/Weddings — contact [email protected] or (916) 443-5442
- RCIA — for unbaptized adults and baptized Christians seeking full communion
- RCIC — for unbaptized children past the age of reason
Holy Spirit Parish School
Holy Spirit Parish School, located at 3920 West Land Park Drive, Sacramento, CA 95822, is the educational ministry of Holy Spirit Parish. It was established in 1947–48 under the Sisters of Mercy (who administered it until 1999) and today serves students in Transitional Kindergarten through 8th grade. The school cultivates academic excellence, lifelong learning, and Christ-like leadership, with a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio in grades 1–8 and 14:1 in TK/K.
- Established 1947 (opened 1948)
- Administered by the Sisters of Mercy from founding until 1999
- Transitional Kindergarten through 8th grade
- Principal: Raphael 'Rocky' Domingo
- Phone: (916) 448-5663; Fax: (916) 448-1465
- Website: hs-ps.com
- 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio (grades 1–8); 14:1 (TK/K)
- 26 competitive sports teams in the Parochial Athletic League
- 92% faculty hold advanced degrees
- 100% graduation rate; 100% of students accepted to Catholic high schools
Visit, Contact & Office Hours
The parish office is open Monday through Friday and can be reached by phone, email, or in person for appointments. The parish also lists St. Vincent de Paul and the parish school as separate contact points.
- Address: 3159 Land Park Drive, Sacramento, CA 95818
- Parish Phone: (916) 443-5442
- Email: [email protected]
- St. Vincent de Paul: (916) 397-7264
- Office Hours: Monday 8 AM–5 PM; Tuesday–Friday 9 AM–5 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. Patrick McHugh1940–1972
Founding pastor; built the church (1940) and Holy Spirit School (1948).
- Msgr. Edmund O'Neill1972–1981
- Fr. Charles Brady1981–2005
- Msgr. Albert O'Connor2005–2010
- Fr. Daniel Looney2010–2016
- Fr. Michael Hebda2016–2021
- Rev. Loreto 'Bong' Rojas2022–present
Current pastor.