About Our Lady of Mount Carmel · San Diego, California
Our Lady of Mount Carmel (OLMC) is a Roman Catholic parish in the Rancho Peñasquitos community of San Diego, California, founded on November 17, 1976 and now celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026. The parish's mission statement — "Love. Pray. Serve. Proclaim Christ!" — captures its identity as one family in Christ that loves God and neighbor, prays in the sacraments, serves sacrificially, and proclaims the Gospel, journeying with Mama Mary toward Heaven. OLMC offers Mass in English and Spanish, robust faith formation from preschool through high school, a thriving Hispanic ministry, daily and Sunday Masses with livestreams, Eucharistic Adoration, and a long list of lay ministries, prayer groups, and works of mercy that serve the people of the 92129 area.
- Established
- 1976
- Patron
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel
- Rector
- Fr. Anthony Saroki (concluding tenure end of June 2026 after 14 years; on sabbatical January 1 – March 27, 2026)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego
Why belong here
OLMC is a large, vibrant Catholic community in Rancho Peñasquitos where Mass is offered daily and five times on Sundays in both English and Spanish, with confessions before each weekend Mass and Eucharistic Adoration several days a week. Families can grow in faith together through Elementary, Middle School, and High School Faith Formation (including Confirmation prep for about 150 teens per year), plus RCIA for adults, while dozens of ministries — Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, Carmelites, Bible studies, Pro-Life, Mental Health, Food for Families, Bereavement, Filipino Traditions, Young Adults, and many more — give every parishioner a way to serve, pray, and belong.
Mass times at Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:30–5:30pm
- Sunday 3:30–4:30pm
- Wednesday 5:00–5:20pm
- Friday 5:00–5:20pm
Adoration times
- Tuesday 3:00–6:30pm
- Thursday 3:00–6:30pm
- First Friday 9:00am–5:00pm
Our 50th Anniversary (1976–2026)
Our Lady of Mount Carmel was founded on November 17, 1976, when a small group of faithful gathered with a shared vision to build a spiritual home dedicated to the glory of God and the service of the people of Rancho Peñasquitos. In 2026 the parish marks its 50th anniversary with year-long celebrations beginning in July and culminating around the precise founding date of November 17, 2026. A team of parishioners, at the direction of the Pastoral Council, is planning commemorative events and inviting current and former parishioners to share their memories of the parish.
- Founded November 17, 1976 in Rancho Peñasquitos
- Patron: Our Lady of Mount Carmel
- Golden Jubilee year: 2026
- Anniversary celebrations begin July 2026
- Parishioners invited to share memories via the OLMC 50th Anniversary page
Parish Leadership & Staff
OLMC is led by Fr. Anthony Saroki (Pastor, 14th year) and Fr. Gabriel Afeti (Associate Pastor), with pastoral support from Deacon Juan Faus and Pastoral Associates Joseph Naval and Junior Coronel. The parish also employs a Business Manager, Bookkeeper, Director of Music Ministry, Director of Facilities, faith formation coordinators for elementary, middle school, and high school, Hispanic Ministry staff, wedding/event coordinator, and front office and facilities personnel.
- Fr. Anthony Saroki — Pastor (concluding tenure end of June 2026; sabbatical Jan 1 – March 27, 2026)
- Fr. Gabriel Afeti — Associate Pastor
- Deacon Juan Faus — serves Hispanic ministry, marriage preparation, baptisms and weddings outside Mass; preaches at the 1:15pm Spanish Mass
- Joseph Naval — Pastoral Associate (diaconal formation, class of 2026)
- Junior Coronel — Pastoral Associate / Director of Youth Discipleship & Hispanic Ministry oversight (diaconal formation, class of 2027)
- Michelle P. Fischer — Business Manager
- Joyce Dias — Bookkeeper
- Scott Camden — Director of Music Ministry
- Anthony Mena — Hispanic Music Director
- Laurie Dusa — Parishioner Engagement
- Sheila Sajo — Middle School Faith Formation
- Mari Magahis — Elementary Faith Formation
- Cynthia Tobin — CGS (Catechesis of the Good Shepherd) Coordinator
- Linda Lagunes — Coordinator of Hispanic Ministry & Faith Formation
- Azucena Faus — Hispanic Ministry
- Maria DeSanti — Admin Assistant to Pastor, Wedding/Event Coordinator
- James McMilleon — Director of Facilities
- Maurice Stebenne & David Uranga — Facilities
- Mary Dahilig, Sharon Kriebel, Thekla Keegan — Front Office
Faith Formation & Religious Education
OLMC provides lifelong faith formation for every age and stage. Adult Faith Formation includes Bible studies, workshops, and the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) for those exploring Catholicism, with the sacraments of initiation received at the Easter Vigil. Children's faith formation begins with Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) for preschoolers and continues through Elementary Faith Formation (grades 1–5), Middle School Ministry (two Thursday evenings a month), and High School Ministry (Sundays after the 4:30pm Mass), which includes a two-year Confirmation program averaging about 150 teens per year. Older children not yet baptized are prepared through the Christian Initiation of Children (CIC) process within their age-appropriate program.
- Adult Faith Formation (Bible study, workshops) — [email protected]
- RCIA — Sundays Sept–May; contact [email protected]
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) — Tues/Wed sessions — [email protected]
- Elementary Faith Formation — Tuesdays 5:30pm, Discipleship Center — Junior Coronel
- Middle School Faith Formation — 2 Thursday evenings a month, 6:00–8:00pm — Sheila Sajo
- High School Ministry — Sundays after 4:30pm Mass — Junior Coronel
- Christian Initiation of Children (CIC) for ages 7–17 not yet baptized
- Discipleship Groups — 3–5 person small groups meeting 8 times with a mentor, formed in November
Sacraments
OLMC celebrates the seven sacraments of the Church. Infant Baptism is celebrated the second and fourth Saturday of each month at 11:00am, with online pre-Baptismal preparation in place of live seminars; parents must be registered parishioners or live within parish boundaries. Older children (ages 7–17) prepare for Baptism through the Christian Initiation of Children (CIC) within their age-appropriate faith formation program, and adults prepare through RCIA, culminating at the Easter Vigil. First Communion and Reconciliation are received through Elementary Faith Formation, and Confirmation is prepared via the High School two-year program. Marriage preparation requires meeting with Deacon Juan Faus at least nine months before the desired date and is reserved for registered parishioners (at least 2 months) who attend Sunday Mass at OLMC or live within parish boundaries.
- Baptism (infant): 2nd & 4th Saturday at 11:00am; pre-Baptismal videos in lieu of seminars
- Baptism for children 7–17 via CIC; for adults via RCIA
- First Communion & Reconciliation via Elementary Faith Formation
- Confirmation via High School 2-year program (~150 teens/year)
- Matrimony: 9-month preparation with Deacon Juan Faus, [email protected]
- Required documents: baptismal certificates (issued within 6 months of marriage), Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program attendance
- Weddings only for registered parishioners or close family
Prayer Groups & Spiritual Life
Beyond the regular Mass and Adoration schedule, OLMC is home to a wide variety of prayer groups and devotional communities that meet weekly or monthly. These include the Charismatic Prayer Group, St. Monica Prayer Group (praying for children who have left the faith), the Lay Carmelites (Carmelite Third Order), the Hearts of Fire healing ministry (monthly Evening of Adoration with healing prayer, plus appointments), the Holy Trinity Prayer Group (Eucharistic Adoration and family home adoration), the Spanish Prayer Group, and the Prayer Quilters, who prepare prayer quilts for those in need of prayers. Cursillo, Communion & Liberation, and a Divine Mercy Study group round out the parish's spiritual offerings.
- Charismatic Prayer Group — 3rd Monday 4:30pm, Room 201
- St. Monica Prayer Group — 1st Monday 6pm, Room 106
- Lay Carmelites — 1st Saturday 9:00–11:30am, Room 106
- Hearts of Fire — 2nd Friday Evening of Adoration & healing prayer; appointments available
- Holy Trinity Prayer Group — Last Wednesday, Room 203
- Spanish Prayer Group — Wednesdays 6pm, Room 203
- Prayer Quilters — 3rd Thursday 10am, Room 206
- Cursillo — Every Friday 6pm, Room 103
- Communion & Liberation — Weekly Fridays 7pm, Room 201
- Divine Mercy Study — 3rd Wednesdays 6:30pm, Room 201
Hispanic Ministry
Hispanic Ministry is a vibrant and integral part of parish life at OLMC. The parish celebrates a Spanish-language Mass every Sunday at 1:15pm (livestreamed on YouTube), with Hispanic Music Director Anthony Mena leading the music. The Hispanic Community ministry plans events throughout the year, while the Coordinator of Hispanic Ministry & Faith Formation (Linda Lagunes) directs Spanish-language sacrament preparation for children. Deacon Juan Faus regularly prepares and preaches the homilies at the 1:15pm Mass, presides at baptisms and weddings, and coordinates Spanish-language adult faith formation.
- Sunday Spanish Mass at 1:15pm (livestreamed)
- Hispanic Community events coordinated by Junior Coronel
- Linda Lagunes — Coordinator of Hispanic Ministry & Faith Formation
- Azucena Faus — Hispanic Ministry staff
- Anthony Mena — Hispanic Music Director
- Spanish-language baptism prep, marriage prep (with Deacon Juan Faus), and adult faith formation
- Bilingual liturgies coordinated by Joe Naval and Junior Coronel
Works of Mercy & Outreach
OLMC parishioners put their faith into action through a robust set of Works of Mercy reaching the local community and beyond. The Bereavement Ministry assists families before and after a loved one's death (English: [email protected]; Spanish: Azucena Faus). The Ministry to the Sick and Homebound visits parishioners in hospitals and homes, prays with them, and brings Holy Communion. Food for Families distributes groceries monthly from Feeding America and Walmart donations. The parish Food Bank collects and organizes donations for parishioners and community members in need. The Pro-Life Committee works to protect the unborn and respond to threats to the elderly, disabled, and family. The Mental Health Ministry supports individuals and families affected by mental illness. The Crafters make baby items for Life Choices and Birthline and scarves/hats for Father Joe's homeless outreach.
- Bereavement Ministry — English [email protected]; Spanish Azucena Faus
- Ministry to the Sick and Homebound — [email protected]
- Food for Families — 3rd Saturday 7:30am distribution
- Food Bank — collect donations and assemble boxes for those in need
- Pro-Life Committee — [email protected]
- Mental Health Ministry — [email protected] (tabling 2nd Sunday Masses)
- Crafters Ministry — baby items for Life Choices & Birthline; scarves/hats for Father Joe's
- Security Ministry — [email protected]
- Separated & Divorced — [email protected]
- Miscarriage Ministry — 1st Thursday 6:30pm
Becoming a Parishioner
Newcomers are warmly welcomed at Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The parish website offers an online Parish Registration Form (olmcsandiego.org/registrationform). Anyone wishing to register should complete the form as thoroughly as possible. After registration, parishioners are encouraged to register children for faith formation, sign up for ministries, and join one of the many prayer groups. The parish notes that the church and parish office observe specific hours (church Mon–Sat 7am–8pm, Sundays close 6pm; office Mon–Fri 10:30am–6pm) and asks that only service animals/guide dogs be brought into the church, and that all food and drink be finished before entering as a sign of reverence for the Real Presence.
- Online registration form available at olmcsandiego.org/registrationform
- Parish office: 13541 Stoney Creek Rd., San Diego, CA 92129
- Phone: (858) 484-1070
- Email: [email protected]
- Only service animals/guide dogs allowed inside the church
- Food and drink must be finished before entering the church