About Our Lady of Solitude · Soledad, California
Our Lady of Solitude is a bilingual Catholic parish of the Diocese of Monterey, located at 235 Main Street in the small agricultural city of Soledad in California's Salinas Valley. The parish takes its name from nearby Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad (founded 1791), the thirteenth of California's Spanish missions, whose restored chapel remains under its pastoral care. The parish describes itself as a home for individuals and families, and a source of faith, refuge and hope, serving the largely agricultural and multicultural community of the Salinas Valley, with special attention to the marginalized and sick, workers and families, children, youth and adults. According to GCatholic, the present church building was constructed in 1942.
- Established
- 1942
- Patron
- Our Lady of Solitude (Nuestra Señora de la Soledad) — Our Most Sorrowful Lady of Solitude
- Rector
- Father Luiz Kendzierski
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Monterey in California
Why belong here
Our Lady of Solitude is a warm, bilingual parish anchored in the historic mission community of Soledad, where Spanish and English Masses are celebrated side by side every week. Its ministries reach across every age and stage: catechism and First Communion classes (English and Spanish), Confirmation preparation, RCIA for adults and children, Knights of Columbus, Marriage Encounter, a parish bookstore, and a monthly breakfast fundraiser. The parish continues to serve the restored 1791 Mission Soledad chapel at Fort Romie Road, while caring for the working families, farmworkers, youth and elderly of the Salinas Valley. It is exactly the kind of parish where newcomers can find a home, a sacramental life, and a meaningful way to give back.
Mass times at Our Lady of Solitude
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (added during Advent/Lent)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Thursday 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM (following the 9:00 AM Mass)
Welcome and Parish Mission
Our Lady of Solitude is a bilingual Catholic parish of the Diocese of Monterey, located on Main Street in the small agricultural city of Soledad in the Salinas Valley. The parish welcomes individuals and families as a home and source of faith, refuge and hope. Its mission statement, published in both English and Spanish, commits the community to following Christ through Word and Eucharist, and to bringing the compassionate love of Jesus and Our Blessed Mother to the agricultural and multicultural community it serves.
- Parish Mission Statement — English and Spanish
- Diocese of Monterey parish
- Servant of the marginalized and sick, workers, families, children, youth and adults
History and the 1791 Mission
The parish takes its name and a deep sense of identity from Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, founded October 9, 1791 by the Franciscan Father Fermín Francisco de Lasuén. The mission was the thirteenth of California's twenty-one Spanish missions and ministered to the Chalon, Esselen, and Yokuts peoples of the Salinas Valley, reaching a neophyte population of about 627 by 1803. After repeated floods and secularization in 1835, the mission was sold by Governor Pío Pico for about $800 and fell into ruin. It was returned to the Catholic Church in 1859, and a reconstructed chapel was dedicated under the auspices of the Native Daughters of the Golden West on October 9, 1955; the ruins of the quadrangle and cemetery still stand beside it.
- Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad — founded October 9, 1791
- Thirteenth of California's 21 Spanish missions
- Restored chapel dedicated 1955; remains an active mission chapel of the parish
- Burial place of Spanish Governor José Joaquín de Arrillaga (d. 1814)
- Town of Soledad named for the mission
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Catechetical Ministries — the parish's faith-formation program — operates from 240 Encinal Street (telephone 831-296-4177, email [email protected]), open Monday through Sunday but closed on Friday. Sister Theresita Crasta, I.M., serves as Director of Religious Education, working with the parish team to prepare children, youth and adults for the sacraments. The program runs First Communion and Confirmation preparation in both English and Spanish, together with RCIA adapted for children and adults.
- Monday 4:00–5:00 PM — new-comers grades 3–8 (English and Spanish)
- Tuesday 4:00–5:00 PM — new-comers grades 1–2; returners grades 2–3; post-First Communion grades 4–5 (English)
- Wednesday 6:30–7:30 PM — Confirmation class (first years 10th grade and Pre-Confirmation 9th grade)
- Saturday 9:00–10:00 AM — English First Communion class
- Saturday 11:00 AM–12:00 noon — Spanish First Communion class
- Saturday 4:00–5:00 PM — RCIA for children
- Sunday 8:00–11:00 AM — Confirmation class (grades 9–12)
- Sunday 9:00–10:00 AM — RCIA for adults
Sacraments
The parish shepherds its members through all seven sacraments. Baptisms are arranged through the parish office; Pre-Baptismal classes in Spanish are held monthly at 7:00 PM in the Catechetical Center, with communal baptisms celebrated several times a year. First Communion and Confirmation are prepared over multi-year programs in both English and Spanish. Couples must contact the parish office at least six months in advance of a wedding. Adults or older youth who have not yet received Baptism, First Communion or Confirmation are invited to speak with Sister Theresita in the catechetical office. Confession is heard weekly and by appointment, and Anointing of the Sick and other pastoral needs are arranged through the parish office.
- Baptism — register at the parish office; Spanish Pre-Baptismal classes monthly
- First Communion (English & Spanish) and Confirmation preparation
- Wedding — at least six months' notice required
- RCIA for adults and children needing Baptism, First Communion or Confirmation
- Confession Friday evenings and by appointment
Parish Life and Outreach
Our Lady of Solitude fosters a strong sense of community through service organizations, spiritual formation, and popular traditions that connect the parish to its Mexican-American and Californio heritage. The Knights of Columbus have a local council that welcomes men 18 and older, and a Marriage Encounter / Encuentro Matrimonial ministry supports couples in their sacramental vocation. The parish bookstore, monthly Sunday breakfast and the annual Soledad Mission Fiesta & Grape Stomp bring parishioners together in fellowship and fundraising for parish needs. Each year the parish also supports the Diocese of Monterey's Annual Ministries Appeal (AMA).
- Knights of Columbus — contact José Alberto at 831-262-1758
- Marriage Encounter / Encuentro Matrimonial weekends
- Monthly Sunday breakfast fundraiser
- Annual Soledad Mission Fiesta & Grape Stomp
- Annual Ministries Appeal (AMA) diocesan campaign
- Parish Pastoral Council and Finance Council
- Parish bookstore ('Tiendita – Librería Parroquial')
Pastoral Staff and Leadership
The parish is led by Pastor Father Luiz Kendzierski, who is assisted by Father Liem Nguyen (a Scalabrinian priest helping with parish activities) and Deacon Ron Panziera. Sister Theresita Crasta, I.M., serves as Director of Religious Education, and Lorena B. Cruz serves as Parish Secretary. Parish leadership also includes a Pastoral Council chaired by Salvador García with Vice Chair Elva Aguilera and Secretary Juanita Carrillo, and a Finance Council providing stewardship of parish resources. (Bulletin dated September 16, 2018.)
- Pastor: Father Luiz Kendzierski
- Father Liem Nguyen (Scalabrinian, assisting with parish activities)
- Deacon Ron Panziera
- Director of Religious Education: Sister Theresita Crasta, I.M.
- Parish Secretary: Lorena B. Cruz
- Pastoral Council: Salvador García (Chair), Elva Aguilera (Vice Chair), Juanita Carrillo (Secretary), Carlos Camacho, Diana Carranza, Martha López, Ignacio Mederos, Gerardo Rivas
- Finance Council members include Edi Ramirez (Chair), Janie Headley (Secretary), José Alberto, Felipe Melchor, Anne Trebino
Parish Office and Faith Formation Office
The main parish office is located at 235 Main Street, Soledad, CA 93960, and is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, closing for lunch from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Telephone lines are (831) 678-2731 and (831) 296-4252, with parish fax (831) 288-1026. The parish email is [email protected]. The Faith Formation office ('Catechetical Ministries') is at 240 Encinal Street, telephone (831) 296-4177, email [email protected], and is open Monday through Sunday, closed Friday. The parish also operates Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad chapel at 36641 Fort Romie Road, telephone (831) 678-2586.
- Parish Office: 235 Main Street — Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5:00 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM)
- Phone: (831) 678-2731 and (831) 296-4252; Fax: (831) 288-1026
- Email: [email protected]
- Catechetical Ministries: 240 Encinal Street — Mon–Sun (closed Friday)
- Faith Formation Phone: (831) 296-4177; Email: [email protected]
- Mission Chapel: 36641 Fort Romie Road — (831) 678-2586