About Madonna del Sasso · Salinas, California
Madonna del Sasso Catholic Church is a bilingual, multicultural parish in North Salinas, California, serving over 3,000 families. Founded in 1959 and named for the Madonna del Sasso ('Our Lady of the Rock') shrine in Locarno, Switzerland — a devotion especially cherished by Swiss-Italian Catholics — the parish is also recognized as the Pro-Cathedral of the Diocese of Monterey. It offers Mass in English and Spanish seven days a week, runs an active Catholic school (Preschool through 8th grade) established in 1957, and is home to vibrant ministries including a Hispanic ministry, a Filipino community, a Marian prayer group, a bilingual men's choir, a parish Bible study, and a 'Porque Católico?' evangelization group.
- Established
- 1959
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Rock (Madonna del Sasso) — devotion originating at the shrine in Locarno, Switzerland
- Rector
- Rev. Gregory (Greg) Sandman (since 2010)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Monterey in California
Why belong here
Madonna del Sasso is a parish where over 3,000 families of diverse cultures worship together in English and Spanish, with weekend Masses broadcast live online and a rich devotional life that includes daily Mass, weekday adoration, Saturday confessions, a Marian prayer group, and a parish-wide Bible study led by the pastor himself. The parish runs an active Catholic school on the same campus (Preschool–8th grade, WASC/WCEA accredited through 2030), a St. Vincent de Paul conference through the diocese, and culturally-rooted ministries for Spanish-speaking and Filipino parishioners. For Catholics in North Salinas looking for a large, welcoming, multilingual parish with deep institutional ties to the Diocese of Monterey, it is one of the central faith communities of the region.
Mass times at Madonna del Sasso
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
- Weekdays by appointment (call the parish office at 831-422-5323)
Adoration times
- Monday–Friday 8:45 AM – 10:00 AM (after the 8:15 AM Mass)
Parish History & Identity
Madonna del Sasso parish was created in 1959 to meet the needs of the rapidly growing population of North Salinas. According to the Diocese of Monterey, it was canonically established as a parish on August 18, 1960. It takes its name from the Madonna del Sasso — 'Our Lady of the Rock' — the famous Marian shrine perched above Lake Maggiore in Locarno, Switzerland, which is the special devotion of Swiss-Italian Catholics. The church was blessed on October 24, 1971 and formally dedicated on August 17, 1986. In 2007, Bishop Richard Garcia designated the parish the Pro-Cathedral of the Diocese of Monterey while the new Cathedral of San Carlos in Monterey was being built; Madonna del Sasso served in that role until June 3, 2009.
- Parish created: 1959 (canonical erection August 18, 1960)
- Church blessed: October 24, 1971
- Church dedicated: August 17, 1986
- Pro-Cathedral of the Diocese of Monterey: April 2, 2007 – June 3, 2009
- Jubilee Church for the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy (2016) and the Holy Year 2025
Clergy & Pastoral Staff
The parish is led by Rev. Gregory 'Greg' Sandman, who has been pastor since 2010 and is well known for his weekly Bible study open to all parishioners. He is assisted by two parochial vicars — Rev. David Ramirez and Rev. Gerardo Barajas — along with a parish team that includes a Business Manager, Parish Secretary, Director of Religious Education, Director of Youth Ministry, and Music Coordinator.
- Rev. Greg Sandman — Pastor (since 2010); leads Fr. Greg's Bible Study
- Rev. David Ramirez — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Gerardo Barajas — Parochial Vicar
- Director of Religious Education / Catechetical Minister
- Director of Youth Ministry
- Music Coordinator
- Business Manager and Parish Secretaries
Pastoral Succession
The Diocese of Monterey's 2020 directory provides a complete succession of priests who have served Madonna del Sasso since its founding. The parish has had nine pastors in its history, with the current pastor, Father Greg Sandman, now in his second decade of service.
- Rev. Msgr. Silvano Baquedano (1960–1961) — founding pastor
- Rev. Msgr. Thomas J. Neary (1961–1974)
- Rev. Daniel C. Cronin (1974–1983)
- Rev. Michael L. Cross (1983–1996)
- Rev. Ronald Shirley (1996–2001)
- Rev. Larry Kambitsch (2001–2005)
- Rev. Edward Fitz-Henry (2005–2007)
- Rev. James Henry (2007–2010)
- Rev. Greg Sandman (2010–present)
Parish Ministries & Groups
Madonna del Sasso describes itself as 'a vibrant and loving community, with various active ministries.' In addition to the standard liturgical and sacramental ministries, the parish runs several distinctive cultural and devotional groups, including a Hispanic ministry, a Filipino fellowship, a Marian prayer group, a bilingual men's choir, a Spanish-language 'Porque Católico?' evangelization study, and a pastor-led Bible study. A full Ministry Calendar is published on the parish website.
- Ministerio Hispano (Spanish Ministry) — meets weekly
- Filipino Parishioners of MDS — Filipino Catholic fellowship
- Marian Group — monthly prayer, fellowship, and discussion
- Porque Católico? — Spanish-language Catholic faith study
- Fr. Greg's Bible Study — weekly, led by the pastor
- MDS Men's Choir — bilingual (English/Spanish)
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Religious Education for children
- Youth Ministry
- Pastoral Council
Sacraments
The parish prepares Catholics for and celebrates all seven sacraments. Reconciliation is offered weekly on Saturday afternoons with weekday appointments available. The Anointing of the Sick is celebrated on the first Wednesday of each month at the 12:15 PM Mass. Adults seeking to complete their initiation are served through the parish RCIA program.
- Baptism — preparation required; contact the parish office
- First Eucharist and Confirmation (including adult confirmation)
- Marriage preparation — contact the parish office
- Anointing of the Sick — 1st Wednesday at 12:15 PM
- Reconciliation — Sat 2:30–3:30 PM and by appointment
Madonna del Sasso School
Madonna del Sasso School has been educating students on the parish campus since 1957 — two years before the parish itself was formally created. It is a Preschool through 8th grade Catholic school accredited through 2030 by both the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA). The school's mission is 'to motivate, instruct and nurture children in beliefs, practices and values of the Catholic community, integrated with academic excellence, physical development and leadership skills.' Tuition assistance and scholarships are available.
- Established 1957, two years before the parish
- Preschool, Elementary (K–5), and Middle School (6–8)
- Accredited by WASC and WCEA through 2030
- Principal: Mr. James Evans
- Preschool Director: Rita Sampaolo
- Athletics, Student Council, Music & Art, After-School Extension Program
- Financial assistance and FACTS tuition management available
Visiting & Contact Information
Madonna del Sasso is located at 320 East Laurel Drive in North Salinas, just off US-101. The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Sunday Mass is offered in English and Spanish, and the 7:00 AM English Mass, the 3:00 PM Spanish Mass, and the 8:15 AM weekday Mass are livestreamed for those unable to attend in person.
- Address: 320 East Laurel Drive, Salinas, CA 93906
- Phone: (831) 422-5323 | Fax: (831) 422-0536
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- From Highway 101: take the Laurel Drive exit and head east to the church
- Live-streamed Masses via the parish YouTube channel
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. Silvano Baquedano1960–1961
First pastor of the newly created parish
- Rev. Msgr. Thomas J. Neary1961–1974
- Rev. Daniel C. Cronin1974–1983
- Rev. Michael L. Cross1983–1996
- Rev. Ronald Shirley1996–2001
- Rev. Larry Kambitsch2001–2005
- Rev. Edward Fitz-Henry2005–2007
- Rev. James Henry2007–2010
- Rev. Greg Sandman2010–present
Current pastor; also leads Fr. Greg's Bible Study