About Our Lady of Perpetual Help · Lakeside, California
Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish in Lakeside, California, in the East County of San Diego. Founded in 1947 by the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottine Fathers) at the invitation of Bishop Charles Buddy, it has grown from a congregation of 35 parishioners worshiping in a converted Army barracks to a community of roughly 1,300 registered families. The parish belongs to the Diocese of San Diego, offers Mass in both English and Spanish, runs a K-8 parish school, and serves Catholics across Lakeside, Santee, El Cajon, Alpine, Ramona, and surrounding mountain and Native American communities.
- Established
- 1947
- Patron
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help
- Rector
- Rev. Derek Twilliger
- Diocese
- Diocese of San Diego
Why belong here
OLPH is a parish where you can show up and be known — a mid-sized bilingual Catholic community of about 1,300 families that still feels like a neighborhood church. Daily 8:00 a.m. Mass, a 7:30 a.m. Rosary, perpetual Saturday and First-Friday Eucharistic Adoration, and a full sacramental schedule make it easy to pray here. Children and teens have a real home through the K-8 Faith Formation program, the Confirmation Program (two-year journey through Creed, Sacraments, Morality, and Prayer), Sunday-night Youth Group, and a Young Adult Ministry for 20s-and-30s with Bible study, men's and women's groups, and a Monday Holy Hour. The parish also runs its own PreK-8 school, a Legion of Mary, Knights of Columbus, Altar and Rosary Society, St. Joseph Senior Citizens, Senior Games, and a St. Joseph the Worker outreach — so whatever your stage of life or language (English and Spanish Masses are offered every weekend), there is a concrete place to belong and serve.
Mass times at Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday — after the 8:00 AM Mass
- Sunday — 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM (or by appointment)
- Monday — after daily Mass (approximately 8:45–9:30 AM)
- Monday — 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (suspended during summer 2026)
- Tuesday — 5:30 to 6:30 PM (suspended during summer 2026)
- Friday — 4:00 to 6:00 PM
Adoration times
- Saturday — 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM (with confessions)
- First Fridays — 8:30 AM through Saturday 8:30 AM (24-hour Adoration)
History of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish
OLPH was founded in August 1947 by the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (S.A.C.) after Bishop Charles Buddy invited the Pallottine Fathers to establish a parish in Lakeside. First pastor Rev. Louis E. Del Vecchio, S.A.C., met with the Bishop on August 21, 1947, and within days the community was converting an old Army barracks into a small devotional church. The first Mass was celebrated August 31, 1947, before about 35 people seated on folding chairs. A new rectory followed in 1950, and in November 1958 the present church building was completed and dedicated. From those 35 founding parishioners, OLPH has grown into a community of roughly 1,300 registered families.
- Founded August 1947 by Pallottine Fathers (S.A.C.)
- First Mass: August 31, 1947, 8:00 AM
- New rectory built March–November 1950
- Present church cornerstoned November 1958
- Parish school opened 1961 with 160 students (Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet)
- Roughly 1,300 registered families today
Parish Clergy & Staff
OLPH is led today by Fr. Derek Twilliger, pastor, and Fr. Minh Do, associate pastor, with three permanent deacons: Dcn. Dennis O'Neil, Dcn. Daniel Ramos, and Dcn. Mark Silvia. A small but full staff runs Faith Formation, music and liturgy, communications, and parish operations.
- Rev. Derek Twilliger — Pastor
- Rev. Minh Do — Associate Pastor
- Dcn. Dennis O'Neil, Dcn. Daniel Ramos, Dcn. Mark Silvia
- Jorge Verduzco — Director of High School Faith Formation & OCIA; Communications
- Dominic Gonzales — Director of K-8 Faith Formation & High School Youth Minister
- Katie Belcher — Music, Liturgy, Art & Environment
- Karen Woollard — Office Manager
- Nick Nevandro — Lead Maintenance
- Nathan Poe — Young Adults (18–39)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
OLPH treats faith formation as a lifelong journey, with programs tailored to every age. Sacramental preparation is a two-year process for children and teens, and OCIA walks adults into the Catholic Church through the sacraments of initiation.
- K-8 Faith Formation — Sundays 10:30–11:45 AM in the Social Center; Director Dominic Gonzales
- First Communion preparation (two-year; First Communion Mass celebrated annually, e.g., May 2026)
- High School Faith Formation — Director Jorge Verduzco
- Confirmation Program: Year 1 Creed & Sacraments; Year 2 Morality & Prayer
- OCIT — Order of Christian Initiation for Teens (Baptism and/or First Communion path)
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
- Adult Faith Formation (Connie Finney director as of recent parish history)
Youth Ministry & Confirmation
Teens at OLPH grow in faith through teaching, service, prayer, and community in the two-year Confirmation journey, then stay plugged in through Youth Group nights, retreats, and parish events. Confirmation classes meet Tuesdays 6:45–8:00 PM and Youth Group meets Sundays 6:00–8:00 PM.
- Confirmation Year 1 — Creed & Sacraments
- Confirmation Year 2 — Morality & Prayer
- Youth Group Sundays 6:00–8:00 PM
- Middle School Youth Group
- Retreats, service projects, and social events throughout the year
- Youth Minister: Dominic Gonzales
Our Lady of Perpetual Help School
Our Lady of Perpetual Help School is a Christ-centered, coeducational Catholic elementary school serving PreK through 8th grade, with an enrollment of about 180 students and a faculty of roughly 12 teachers. Located at 9825 Pino Drive in Lakeside, the school draws families from across the East County of San Diego including Santee, El Cajon, Alpine, Ramona, Pine Valley, and surrounding Native American communities.
- Grades PreK-8, co-ed
- Approximately 180 students, ~12 teachers
- Located at 9825 Pino Drive, Lakeside, CA 92040
- Opened 1961; taught first by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
- Mission: 'to empower students to be spiritually, academically, socially and culturally prepared to meet the challenges of life.'
- Rolling admissions
Young Adult Ministry (Ages 18–39)
The OLPH Young Adult Ministry is for Catholics in their 20s and 30s who want to grow deeper in faith and build community. Young adults from other parishes and faith backgrounds are welcome, and the group meets weekly for prayer, study, and fellowship across multiple small groups.
- Monday Holy Hour — 2nd Monday of every month, 7:00–8:00 PM at St. Martin's Home (Eucharistic Adoration, praise & worship, silent prayer)
- Tuesday Men's Group — 6:30–8:30 PM weekly
- Tuesday Young Women's Group — 6:30 PM
- Wednesday Bible Study — 7:00–8:30 PM at OLPH (Good Shepherd Room)
- Book Club, retreats, and seasonal events
- Contact: [email protected]
Parish Ministries & Organizations
OLPH runs an unusually broad slate of parish ministries — a hallmark noted on the parish's own history page. Whether you're drawn to prayer, fellowship, service, or seniors, there is a named group ready to welcome you.
- Legion of Mary
- Small Church Communities
- Altar and Rosary Society
- Knights of Columbus
- Liturgical Ministries
- St. Joseph the Worker (outreach)
- Senior Games Ministry
- St. Joseph Senior Citizens
- Music, Liturgy, and Art & Environment (Katie Belcher)
Sacraments at OLPH
The parish prepares Catholics of every age for the seven sacraments through its Faith Formation, OCIA, OCIT, and Sacramental Prep programs. Parents of children in First Communion and Confirmation work through a two-year journey, while adults enter through OCIA and teens through OCIT.
- Baptism — for infants and adults
- First Reconciliation (typically celebrated in Lent)
- First Holy Communion (typically in May)
- Confirmation (two-year high school program)
- Matrimony — contact the parish office
- Anointing of the Sick
- OCIA for adults; OCIT for teens needing Baptism and/or First Communion
Devotions & Seasonal Masses
Beyond Sunday Mass, OLPH nurtures prayer through daily Rosary, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and special feast-day Masses. The Advent and Christmas seasons and the Lenten season all carry their own devotional rhythm.
- Daily Rosary — 7:30 AM Monday through Saturday
- Saturday Adoration — 8:30 to 9:30 AM (with confessions)
- First Friday 24-hour Adoration — 8:30 AM Friday to 8:30 AM Saturday
- Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Dec 8) — 8:00 AM & 6:00 PM English, 7:30 PM Spanish
- Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dec 12) — 8:00 AM English, 6:00 PM Spanish
- Stations of the Cross during Lent (Fridays)
- Annual OLPH Lenten Parish Mission
- Holiday Season Mass Schedule published yearly
Visit, Contact, and Giving
Parishioners and visitors can reach the office by phone, email, or in person during posted office hours, and the parish also accepts online donations through its giving website.
- Address: 13208 Lakeshore Drive, Lakeside, CA 92040
- Phone: (619) 443-1412
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Monday–Thursday 8:30 AM–4:00 PM; Friday 8:30 AM–3:00 PM (closed 1:00–2:00 PM for lunch)
- Online donations accepted through the OLPH Giving Website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Louis E. Del Vecchio, S.A.C.1947–1949
Founding pastor; Pallottine Father invited by Bishop Buddy; celebrated first Mass Aug 31, 1947 in converted Army barracks.
- Rev. Francis Leo Kaveney1949–1955
Succeeded Fr. Del Vecchio on Sept 24, 1949; served until October 1955.
- Msgr. James O'Donoghue1955–1964
Pastored through the construction era of the present church (cornerstone 1958).
- Msgr. Michael E. Flynn1964–1988
Irish priest from County Galway; served until his death on June 19, 1988.
- Msgr. Neal Dolan1988–2001
Assigned as administrator in May 1988; pastored OLPH for 13 years.
- Rev. Ronald Buchmiller2001–
Became pastor July 1, 2001.
- Rev. Derek Twilliger
Current pastor.