About Our Lady Star of the Sea · Santa Cruz, California
Our Lady Star of the Sea is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Monterey serving the east-side Seabright/Frederick Street neighborhood of Santa Cruz, California. Founded in 1947, the parish at 515 Frederick Street offers daily Mass in English and Spanish, a full religious education program, and a richly active social ministry including St. Vincent de Paul and the Knights of Columbus. The parish also ministers at the historic Villa Maria del Mar Chapel on East Cliff Drive (associated with the parish since 1986) and is currently pastored by Father Robby Sullivan, a Santa Cruz native.
- Established
- 1947
- Patron
- Our Lady, Star of the Sea (Mary, Stella Maris)
- Rector
- Rev. Robert (Robby) Sullivan
- Diocese
- Diocese of Monterey in California
Why belong here
Our Lady Star of the Sea is a genuine bilingual Catholic home — half of its weekly Masses are celebrated in Spanish, and the parish warmly welcomes English and Spanish-speaking families alike. Daily Mass Monday through Friday, four Sunday Masses, an active religious-education program for First Communion and Confirmation, and a vibrant adult-faith life (Victoria de Cristo prayer group, La Divina Voluntad, Young Ladies Institute, Knights of Columbus) make it easy to plug in. The parish also has a real social conscience: its St. Vincent de Paul conference runs a food pantry, and its historic Villa Maria del Mar Chapel on East Cliff Drive offers an intimate Saturday Vigil Mass in a different setting.
Mass times at Our Lady Star of the Sea
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday starting at 5:00 PM (Reconciliation / Confesiones — Cada Viernes de 5:00pm)
Parish Identity & Heritage
Our Lady Star of the Sea is a 1947-founded Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Monterey, located at 515 Frederick Street in the Seabright neighborhood of Santa Cruz, California. Its name honors the traditional title of the Blessed Virgin Mary as Stella Maris — "Star of the Sea" — a patron invoked by sailors and coastal communities for safe passage. The parish has been bilingual practically from its early decades and today runs a robust dual-language sacramental schedule.
- Founded: 1947
- Diocese: Monterey in California
- Patron title: Our Lady, Star of the Sea (Mary, Stella Maris)
- Languages: English & Spanish
History & Pastoral Succession
The parish was established in 1947 under founding pastor Rev. Joseph Losada. Over the past three-quarters of a century it has been shepherded by fourteen priests, including two Marianists (Fr. René Iurbe, S.M. and Fr. Hector Cruz, S.M.) and Fr. Robby Sullivan, the current pastor since 2018. In 1986 the parish assumed care of the historic Villa Maria del Mar Chapel on East Cliff Drive, expanding its pastoral footprint to the Santa Cruz coast.
- 1947–53: Rev. Joseph Losada (founding pastor)
- 1953–74: Rev. Msgr. Michael Mangen
- 1974–84: Rev. Msgr. William A. Lane
- 1984–90: Rev. Kenneth J. Laverone
- 1990–94: Rev. Patrick J. Dooling
- 1994–95: Rev. Edward J. Holterhoff (Administrator)
- 1995–2001: Rev. René Iurbe, S.M.
- 2001–04: Rev. Hector Cruz, S.M.
- 2004–10: Rev. Alberto Cabrera
- 2010–14: Rev. Ron Green
- 2014–17: Rev. Efrain Medina
- 2018: Rev. Joshua Clifton
- 2018–present: Rev. Robert (Rob/Robby) Sullivan
Baptism, First Communion & Confirmation
The parish offers sacramental preparation for children in both English and Spanish. Children under seven may be baptized after their parents and godparents complete a baptismal class; an English class is held the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM, and a Spanish class the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM. First Communion classes meet on Saturdays; Confirmation classes meet on Mondays from 6:30 to 8:00 PM (English).
- Baptism — class 2nd Thursday (English) / 3rd Thursday (Spanish) at 7:00 PM; $100 fee
- First Communion — Saturday classes; child must be 7+
- Confirmation — Monday 6:30–8:00 PM (English); teen must be 14+
- Registration for 2026–2027 opens June 2026
RCIA, Marriage & Quinceañeras
Adults seeking initiation into the Catholic Church — or adult Confirmation — can enroll in the parish's RCIA program. The parish also prepares couples for Marriage (6 to 12 months in advance) and celebrates Quinceañeras by appointment. All arrangements begin with a call to the parish office.
- RCIA / Adult Confirmation — registration fee $100
- Weddings — schedule 6–12 months in advance
- Quinceañeras — call parish office for information
- Contact: (831) 429-1018
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Beyond the sacraments, the parish operates a structured Religious Education program (Educación Religiosa) for children preparing for First Communion and Confirmation, RCIA for adults, and supporting formation for youth and families. Jessica Martinez serves as the Religious Education Assistant, with questions routed through the parish office at (831) 429-1018 ext. 114.
- First Communion program (English & Spanish, Saturdays)
- Confirmation program (English, Mondays)
- RCIA / Adult Confirmation
- Religious Education inquiries: 831-429-1018 ext. 114
Parish Ministries & Groups
The parish supports an unusually rich mix of lay apostolates and devotional groups — many of which are bilingual or Spanish-language. Adult faith formation runs through prayer groups such as Victoria de Cristo and La Divina Voluntad, while community outreach runs through the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Knights of Columbus. Fraternal organizations include the Young Ladies Institute.
- Music Ministry — Fred Martinez, Director; Juan Garcia, Spanish Music Coordinator; Harriet Jacoff, Pianist
- Grupo de Oración Victoria de Cristo — Tuesdays 6:00–8:30 PM
- La Divina Voluntad — Wednesdays 7:15–8:30 PM
- Young Ladies Institute
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — food pantry Mondays 10:00 AM–Noon
- Knights of Columbus
- Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers
St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
The parish's St. Vincent de Paul conference operates a food pantry open to neighbors in need on Monday mornings from 10:00 AM to Noon, with a help line at 831-423-0878. Donations and volunteers are coordinated through the parish office.
- Pantry hours: Monday 10:00 AM to Noon
- Help Line: 831-423-0878
- Located at the parish campus, 515 Frederick Street
Villa Maria del Mar Chapel
Since 1986 the parish has shepherded the historic Villa Maria del Mar Chapel at 19th Avenue and East Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz. Originally dedicated in 1906 as "Sacred Heart" by Bishop Thomas Conaty of the Diocese of Los Angeles and Monterey, the chapel was acquired by the Sisters of the Holy Names in 1963 and joins the parish for its weekly Saturday Vigil Mass at 4:00 PM. It can seat about 90 and is also used for weddings and memorial services when available.
- Built and dedicated: 1906 as "Sacred Heart"
- Acquired by Sisters of the Holy Names: 1963
- Joined Our Lady Star of the Sea parish: 1986
- Weekly Mass: Saturday at 4:00 PM
- Seating capacity: ~90
- Available for weddings and memorial services (by reservation)
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is currently led by pastor Fr. Robby Sullivan, a Santa Cruz native of Irish and Mexican descent who was ordained in November 2013 and has served since 2018. He is assisted by deacons, an administrative team, a music ministry, and a religious-education coordinator. The office building sits next to the church.
- Rev. Robby Sullivan — Pastor (since 2018)
- Deacon Michael Bokulich
- Deacon Randy Pozos
- Fred Martinez — Music Director
- Juan Garcia — Spanish Music Coordinator
- Harriet Jacoff — Pianist
- Jessica Martinez — Religious Education Assistant
- Patricia Fong — Office Administrative Assistant
- Juan Sosa — Janitor / Gardener
A Note from Fr. Rob Sullivan
In his parish-welcome letter, Fr. Rob explains that he joined the Congregation of Holy Cross after Notre Dame but discerned he was called to diocesan priesthood, completed his formation at Mount Angel Seminary in Oregon, and was ordained November 30, 2013. He previously served as parochial vicar at Sacred Heart & St. Benedict in Hollister (four years) and Sacred Heart in Salinas. He names his greatest passions as preaching, youth, and RCIA; in his spare time he enjoys reading, hiking, and watching movies.
- Ordained: November 30, 2013
- Undergraduate: University of Notre Dame (2004)
- Theology: Mount Angel Seminary, Oregon
- Prior assignments: Hollister, Salinas
Visit, Register & Contact
Parishioners over 18 who attend Mass regularly are encouraged to register through the parish website. Walk-in registration and sacramental inquiries are handled at the parish office. Office hours are Monday and Wednesday–Friday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (closed 1:00–2:00 PM for lunch); the office is closed on Tuesdays.
- Address: 515 Frederick Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
- Phone: (831) 429-1018
- Pastor email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.ourladystar.org/
- Office hours: Mon & Wed–Fri 10 AM–5 PM (closed Tue)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joseph Losada1947–1953
Founding pastor
- Rev. Msgr. Michael Mangen1953–1974
- Rev. Msgr. William A. Lane1974–1984
- Rev. Kenneth J. Laverone1984–1990
- Rev. Patrick J. Dooling1990–1994
- Rev. Edward J. Holterhoff1994–1995
Administrator
- Rev. René Iurbe, S.M.1995–2001
Marianist
- Rev. Hector Cruz, S.M.2001–2004
Marianist
- Rev. Alberto Cabrera2004–2010
- Rev. Ron Green2010–2014
- Rev. Efrain Medina2014–2017
- Rev. Joshua Clifton2018
- Rev. Robert (Rob/Robby) Sullivan2018–present
Current pastor; native of Santa Cruz, ordained 2013