About Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary · Sacramento, California
Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish is a Catholic parish in the American River Deanery of the Diocese of Sacramento, serving the north Sacramento neighborhood around Norris Avenue since its founding in 1961. The parish campus — 6.5 acres at the corner of Norris and Robertson Avenues — hosts the church, the parish school, a convent, and Our Lady Queen of Heaven Chapel, home to one of the area's few Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration programs. Daily Mass, several weekend Masses (including a Family Mass and a Youth Mass), Perpetual Adoration Monday through Friday, and a wide network of ministries (Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, St. Vincent de Paul, Charismatic Prayer, RCIA, youth ministry, and a school rooted in Religious Sisters) shape the rhythm of parish life. The current pastor is Rev. Bernardin Mugabo, assisted by Deacons Patrick Kearns and Paul Friedrich and a lay staff.
- Established
- 1961
- Patron
- Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Bernardin Mugabo
- Diocese
- Diocese of Sacramento (American River Deanery, Sacramento County)
Why belong here
Presentation Parish combines the stability of a parish that has served north Sacramento since 1961 with the warmth of a community built around the Sacraments and around Mary, its patron. Families can attend the 10:30 a.m. Family Mass, send their children to the parish school staffed by the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, and find adult formation through RCIA (now OCIA), Children's Faith Formation, and ongoing Gospel studies. The parish also runs some of the most distinctive apostolates in the area — Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Monday through Friday in the Chapel of Divine Mercy, a thriving Youth Ministry (LifeTeen and EDGE), the Knights of Columbus Council 15693, the Legion of Mary, Charismatic Prayer, St. Vincent de Paul outreach, and a popular Healing Mass on the third Sunday of every month.
Mass times at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday: 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday: 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Adoration times
- Monday through Friday, 24 hours a day (Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration) in the Chapel of Divine Mercy (Our Lady Queen of Heaven Chapel)
- First Friday Adoration at 6:00 p.m.
Parish Identity and Mission
Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Sacramento (American River Deanery, Sacramento County). Its mission statement, published in parish bulletins, reads: 'To bring souls to the salvation which Jesus Christ has won for us, by our proclamation of and witnessing to the splendor, beauty and fullness of the Catholic Faith.' The parish traces its identity to its 1961 founding and its patron, the Blessed Virgin Mary in her Presentation — a feast the community marks each year with traditions including the May Crowning.
- Diocese of Sacramento
- American River Deanery
- Founded 1961
- Patron: Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Nov. 21)
A Brief History
The parish and its school were created in 1961 on 6.5 acres at Norris and Robertson Avenues through the initiative of Monsignor Cornelius Higgins, Diocesan Chancellor, who became the first pastor. He brought Presentation Sisters from Cork, Ireland to staff the school and chose the parish's name. The first Mass was offered February 16, 1961; the convent, school and a temporary church (now the gymnasium) were built largely by volunteer labor, with the Sisters arriving August 22, 1961 and school opening in September. The founding debt was retired by the time Msgr. Higgins left in 1968. Bishop Alden J. Bell dedicated the current church on May 11, 1975. The Presentation Sisters withdrew from Sacramento in 1991 and have been succeeded by the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist.
- 1961: Founding by Msgr. Cornelius Higgins
- Feb. 16, 1961: First Mass
- Aug. 22, 1961: Presentation Sisters arrive from Cork, Ireland
- Oct. 1, 1961: First Mass in temporary church (now gym)
- 1968: Founding debt retired
- May 11, 1975: Current church dedicated by Bishop Alden J. Bell
- 1991: Presentation Sisters withdraw; Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist take over the school
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Bernardin Mugabo (ext. 5), assisted by Deacons Patrick Kearns and Paul Friedrich. Lay staff include Johnny Garn (Front Office Manager) and Diana Jimenez (Bookkeeper). The Director of Religious Education position is currently vacant (NA on the official Staff Directory). Office hours are Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Diocesan records list Fr. Bernardin as the present pastor and also list the parish school as a separate entity with Principal Abigail Burke.
- Rev. Bernardin Mugabo — Pastor (ext. 5)
- Dcn. Patrick Kearns
- Dcn. Paul Friedrich
- Johnny Garn — Front Office Manager (ext. 3)
- Diana Jimenez — Bookkeeper
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith formation at the parish includes the traditional RCIA process (now referred to as OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation for Adults), the Order of Christian Initiation for Children (OCIC), Children's Faith Formation (CFF), and Catechetical Foundations for new catechists and assistants. Parishioners are encouraged to 'Join FORMED.org' for Catholic media, and ongoing formation includes a Gospel of John Study group, a Senior Joy Book Club, and Video Testimonies on the parish website. Catechesis is closely tied to the parish school's Catholic identity, staffed by the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist.
- RCIA / OCIA
- OCIC (children)
- Children's Faith Formation
- Gospel of John Study
- Senior Joy Book Club
- FORMED.org subscription
Youth Ministry: LifeTeen and EDGE
The parish runs both a high-school LifeTeen program (Sunday evenings, 4:30-7:30 p.m., beginning with the 4:30 p.m. Youth Mass) and a middle-school EDGE program (Tuesday evenings, 6:30-8:00 p.m., in the Immaculata). The ministry has sent youth to the NorCal Steubenville Conference and runs an active Junior High and Senior High calendar. Becky Poncini and Jamie Leatherby have been listed as youth ministry coordinators in parish bulletins. School-wide events such as the May Crowning Mass integrate the school and parish youth community.
- LifeTeen — Sundays 4:30-7:30 p.m. (begins with 4:30 Youth Mass)
- EDGE — Tuesdays 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Immaculata
- Annual NorCal Steubenville Conf trip
Parish School: Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary School
Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary School, located at 3100 Norris Avenue, opened in September 1961 staffed by Presentation Sisters from Cork, Ireland — the order for whom the parish was named. The school continues that Catholic educational mission today, staffed by the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, who partner with lay staff to provide a 'dynamic, Christ-centered, authentically Catholic experience' for students. The current principal is Abigail Burke, following earlier principals including Carrie Donahue. The school hosts many parish events (May Crowning, VBS, PBVM Dinner), and parishioners support its endowment and tuition-assistance programs through the Annual PBVM Dinner.
- 3100 Norris Ave., Sacramento, CA 95821
- Phone: (916) 482-0351
- Website: www.presentationschool.net
- Current principal: Abigail Burke
- Religious order: Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist (since 1991)
Devotions and Prayer Life
Devotional life at Presentation is rich and Marian in character. The parish offers the Rosary and publishes the Fifteen Promises of Our Lady to those who pray it. The Divine Mercy devotion is featured prominently: St. Faustina's Chaplet of the Divine Mercy is taught on the parish site, the parish runs a Divine Mercy Prayer Line (Maureen Bradshaw, 916.487.9620), and a 1:00 p.m. Chaplet precedes the monthly Healing Mass. A Monday-evening Charismatic Prayer Group meets at 6:30 p.m., and the parish marks First Fridays with additional Adoration at 6:00 p.m.
- The Rosary and the 15 Promises
- Divine Mercy Chaplet and Prayer Line
- Charismatic Prayer Group — Mondays 6:30 p.m.
- First Friday Adoration
Parish Ministries and Community Life
Beyond worship, Presentation Parish operates a wide network of lay ministries. The Knights of Columbus Council 15693, founded in the parish, is co-led by Richard Westerfeld and Jordan Ruiz. The Legion of Mary (Patricia Jackson) meets Monday mornings at 9:15 a.m., the Altar Society (Diana Jimenez) supports the church liturgically, and a St. Vincent de Paul Conference (916.485.3482; T/Th/F 9-11 a.m.; 916.477.6115 voice/text) provides direct outreach to the poor, supplemented by a monthly 'Feed the Hungry' program. Music Ministry is led by Becky Poncini (916.541.5805). The Bereavement Ministry reaches out to parishioners who have lost a loved one, and an annual PBVM Dinner honors parishioners and school community members for distinguished service, with proceeds supporting the school endowment.
- Knights of Columbus Council 15693
- Legion of Mary
- Altar Society
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference
- Music Ministry
- Bereavement Ministry
- Annual PBVM Dinner
- Scrip program
- Feed the Hungry (monthly)
Calendar of Parish Events and Traditions
The parish calendar includes a Healing Mass on the third Sunday of each month, an SVdP Benefit Dinner, the May Crowning All-School Mass, the Heroes Walk for Life at Maidu Park, 'Concert in the Courtyard' at PBVM School, the Rosary Relay for Priests, Vacation Bible School (typically late July/early August), Oktoberfest, the annual PBVM Dinner, and various Golf Tournaments that have raised funds for the parish since 2013. Photo archives document parish life through Triduum, Easter Vigil, First Holy Communion, Confirmation Retreats, Pancake Breakfasts, and Fr. Stanley's 40th Ordination Anniversary Celebration.
- Healing Mass — 3rd Sunday, 1:00 p.m.
- May Crowning All-School Mass — 10:30 a.m.
- Walk for Life West Coast
- Oktoberfest
- Golf Tournament (annual fundraiser)
- PBVM Annual Dinner
- Vacation Bible School (summer)
- Concert in the Courtyard
Visiting and Getting Involved
Newcomers can register as parishioners through the parish website, submit prayer requests online, and sign up for parish communications via Flocknote. The parish publishes weekly Sunday bulletins (with current Mass times, ministry contacts, and community events), maintains an active Facebook page (facebook.com/presentationparish), and welcomes 'Ways to stay updated' through digital and in-person channels. The diocese also lists the parish (along with its school) in the American River Deanery section of scd.org.
- New Parishioner Registration on parish website
- Submit A Prayer Request
- Flocknote email list
- Facebook: facebook.com/presentationparish
- Diocesan listing: scd.org/parish/presentation-blessed-virgin-mary-parish-sacramento
Stay Safe: Parish Scam Alerts
The parish currently posts a notice on the homepage warning parishioners that text messages or emails impersonating Fr. Bernardin and asking for gift cards or money are a scam. Parishioners are asked not to respond, to block the number, and to contact the parish office at (916) 481-7441 if they have any questions.
- Report scam texts/emails impersonating Fr. Bernardin to the parish office
- Block and ignore suspicious messages
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. Cornelius Higgins1961-1968
Diocesan Chancellor; founding pastor who arranged the parish and brought the Presentation Sisters from Cork, Ireland to staff the school; retired the founding debt before leaving.
- Fr. Jeremy Leatherby
Listed as pastor in older parish bulletins (pre-2017).
- Fr. Stanley Poltorakapprox. 2017-2022+
Pastor during major sanctuary renovation and Adoration Chapel renovation campaign; celebrated his 40th Anniversary of Ordination at the parish.
- Rev. Bernardin Mugabo
Current pastor per Diocese of Sacramento and parish Staff Directory.