About Queen of Angels · Alpine, California
Queen of Angels is a Catholic parish in Alpine, California, in the eastern backcountry of San Diego County. The parish has served Alpine's Catholic community since its first Mass was celebrated on Christmas Day 1951 at a chapel built on land donated by John Vitalich, and it was formally dedicated by Bishop Charles F. Buddy on June 15, 1952. Today Queen of Angels is a welcoming faith community of the Diocese of San Diego, offering daily and weekend Mass in English, an active Faith Formation program, Eucharistic Adoration, a parish school of adult Bible studies, and a robust network of lay ministries including the Knights of Columbus and the Women's Auxiliary.
- Established
- 1951 (first Mass at new church; parish dedicated 1952; Alpine's first resident pastor arrived 1950)
- Patron
- Mary, Queen of Angels (Our Lady, Queen of Angels)
- Rector
- Rev. David Exner
- Diocese
- Diocese of San Diego
Why belong here
Queen of Angels is a small, family-sized Catholic parish where it is easy to know your neighbors and your pastor. The parish celebrates Mass seven days a week — Saturday Vigil at 5:30 PM, two Sunday Masses, and weekday Mass Tuesday through Friday — and supplements the liturgy with daily morning Rosary, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, First Friday devotions to the Sacred Heart, First Saturday devotions to the Immaculate Heart, and a Wednesday Mother of Perpetual Help devotion. Faith formation is offered for children on Sunday mornings, adult Bible studies run throughout the year on materials from Ascension Press, Word on Fire, the St. Paul Center, and the Augustine Institute, and the parish supports active parish ministries including the Knights of Columbus, Women's Auxiliary, St. Vincent de Paul, the Life and Justice Committee, Youth Ministry, RCIA, and outreach to the East County Pregnancy Care Clinic.
Mass times at Queen of Angels
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday–Friday at 7:30 AM (before weekday Mass)
- Saturday at 4:00 PM (before Vigil Mass)
- First Friday at 10:00 AM (before First Friday Mass)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Every Friday from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM (after 8:00 AM Mass)
- Every Saturday at 4:00 PM (before Vigil Mass)
- Every First Friday from 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM (before First Friday Mass)
- The church is also open for prayer Monday–Thursday until 2:00 PM and Friday until 12:00 PM
History of Queen of Angels Parish
For many years Alpine had no Catholic church, and Catholic families made a nearly 30-mile round trip on country roads to attend Mass at St. Mary's in El Cajon or Blessed Sacrament in Descanso. In 1946, through the courtesy of the Sheedy family and with permission of Bishop Charles F. Buddy, Mass was celebrated for the first time in Alpine at the Sheedy's ranch on Highway 80, served by Father Joseph Hill. The parish's official history and the parish's mission statement are rooted in those early missionary beginnings and in the deep faith of Alpine's first Catholic families.
Founding and the Sheedy Ranch (1946–1950)
Mass in Alpine began in 1946 at the Sheedy family ranch off Highway 80, offered by Father Joseph Hill with the blessing of Bishop Buddy. Catholic families in Alpine had no church of their own; the quarterly or monthly trip to El Cajon or Descanso was a real sacrifice. The Sheedy ranch Masses kept the Alpine Catholic community alive until a permanent pastor could be assigned.
- 1946 — First Mass in Alpine celebrated at the Sheedy family's ranch on Highway 80
- Father Joseph Hill served the Alpine community from the Sheedy ranch
- Bishop Charles F. Buddy, first Bishop of San Diego, authorized the mission Masses
- Prior to this, Catholics drove ~30 miles round-trip to St. Mary's (Holy Trinity) in El Cajon or Blessed Sacrament in Descanso
Establishment of the Parish (1951–1952)
A donation of land from John Vitalich, and assistance from the Extension Society and local Catholic families, made the first permanent church possible. Mass was celebrated there for the first time on Christmas Day 1951, and Bishop Charles F. Buddy formally dedicated the new parish on June 15, 1952. The original church was named St. Philomena — a name preserved today in St. Philomena's Hall.
- 1950 — Father Earl Ullman arrives as Alpine's first resident pastor
- 1951 — Land donated by John Vitalich; first church built with help from the Extension Society
- Christmas Day 1951 — First Mass in the new church
- June 15, 1952 — Parish formally dedicated by Bishop Charles F. Buddy
- Original name: St. Philomena (now preserved as the parish hall name)
Growth and the 1984 Expansion
Through the 1960s and into the 1980s, the parish steadily outgrew its modest beginnings. Catechism classes had been taught in the church, the choir loft, and the small kitchen; in 1966 parishioners built the parish's first classrooms, which are still in use today. In 1984, under the direction of Father Laurence McLaughlin, the church was substantially enlarged to seat up to 225 families, and a new kitchen and multi-purpose room — today's parish hall — was added.
- 1966 — Parishioners build the parish's first classrooms (still in use)
- 1984 — Father Laurence McLaughlin directs the church enlargement (to 225 families) and adds the kitchen / multi-purpose room
- 1990s — Three founding members honored by Pope John Paul II: Cleo Wallen, Carmen Lewis, and Anna Jerney
- August 1999 — Parish celebrates these founding women for their service
Building the New Church — 'Built of Living Stones' (2001–2011)
By the late 1990s Sunday Masses had become so crowded that parishioners stood outside the doors and into the street. Father Matthew Spahr launched the 'Built of Living Stones' capital campaign in 2001, and after navigating many state and local requirements the parish broke ground on a new church building in January 2010. The first Mass in the new worship space was celebrated in May 2011. The 'old' church has been reconfigured into St. Philomena's Hall, used today for faith formation and fellowship.
- 2001 — Father Matthew Spahr launches the 'Built of Living Stones' capital campaign
- January 2010 — Ground broken for the new church
- May 2011 — First Mass celebrated in the new worship space
- Original 1951 church becomes St. Philomena's Hall (faith formation & fellowship)
Sunday and Weekday Mass
The regular Mass schedule, as published on the parish website and bulletin, is straightforward for a parish of this size: Saturday Vigil at 5:30 PM, two Sunday Masses at 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM, and daily Mass at 8:00 AM Tuesday through Friday.
- Saturday Vigil Mass — 5:30 PM
- Sunday Mass — 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM
- Daily Mass — Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 8:00 AM
- Rosary prayed Monday–Friday at 7:30 AM (before weekday Mass)
First Friday and First Saturday Devotions
Queen of Angels keeps the traditional monthly devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (First Friday) and the Immaculate Heart of Mary (First Saturday), with extended Adoration and Confession preceding Mass.
- First Friday: Adoration & Confession at 10:00 AM, Mass at 11:30 AM
- First Saturday: Rosary at 8:30 AM, Mass at 9:00 AM
Faith Formation and Adult Education
Queen of Angels runs Faith Formation classes for children on Sunday mornings at 9:15 AM, the hour between the two Sunday Masses. For adults, the parish hosts a robust Bible-study program using materials from trusted Catholic publishers — Ascension Press, Word on Fire, the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, and the Augustine Institute — with studies ranging from short overviews of salvation history to a 26-week study of Church history. Most sessions combine a video presentation by Catholic scholars with group discussion and weekly reading.
- Children's Faith Formation: Sundays at 9:15 AM (between the two Sunday Masses)
- Bible Study resources: Ascension Press, Word on Fire, St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, Augustine Institute
- Bible Study Tuesday evenings in the parish hall (6:00–8:00 PM)
- Recently offered studies: 'Acts: The Spread of the Kingdom' (Jeff Cavins), 'Lectio: Philippians' (Dr. Tim Gray), 'The Bible and the Virgin Mary' (Scott Hahn)
- Studies range from short salvation-history overviews to a 26-week Church history course
Youth Ministry
The Youth Ministry at Queen of Angels is designed for the parish's teens, meeting regularly as a High School Youth Group, typically on Wednesday evenings. The youth ministry page, quoting Pope Francis, reminds young parishioners that authentic fulfillment comes not from 'empty thrills' but from the person of Jesus Christ. The ministry regularly calls on parent volunteers to support its work.
- High School Youth Group (Wednesday evenings, 6:00 PM)
- Parent volunteers always welcome
- Quote-of-the-week content for teens posted to the parish website
- Pope Francis: 'Are you looking for empty thrills in life, or do you want to feel a power that can give you a lasting sense of life and fulfillment?'
Parish Ministries and Service
The parish's ministries page is organized around three calls: 'Serve at Mass,' 'Serve the Community,' and 'Do you have a need?' Ministries include liturgical service (lectors, Eucharistic ministers, hospitality, environment, choir/music), community outreach (St. Vincent de Paul, East County Pregnancy Care Clinic, Life and Justice Committee, Homebound), and parish life (Knights of Columbus, Women's Auxiliary). Marriage support is offered through referrals to Retrouvaille and Marriage Encounter.
- Serve at Mass — lectors, Eucharistic ministers, hospitality, environment, music
- Serve the Community — St. Vincent de Paul, East County Pregnancy Care Clinic, Life and Justice Committee, Homebound ministry
- Do you have a need? — RCIA, Retrouvaille, Marriage Encounter, parish registration
- Knights of Columbus — meets second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM in the Hall
- Women's Auxiliary — meets fourth Wednesday of the month at 5:30 PM in the Parish Hall (restarted late 2022)
- Youth Ministry — High School Youth Group
Knights of Columbus
The Queen of Angels council of the Knights of Columbus is part of the international Catholic fraternal organization founded in 1882. Locally the Knights meet every second Tuesday at 7:00 PM in the parish hall and support a wide variety of charitable works from Special Olympics, the Global Wheelchair Mission and Habitat for Humanity to Food for Families, Coats for Kids, and other purely local charities. The parish's Knights page frames the work in the spirit of Pope Benedict XVI's call to 'practice love...as a community.'
- Meets second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM in the Parish Hall
- Part of the international Knights of Columbus (founded 1882)
- Charitable works: Special Olympics, Global Wheelchair Mission, Habitat for Humanity, Food for Families, Coats for Kids
- Contact: [email protected]
Women's Auxiliary
The Women's Auxiliary restarted activities in late 2022 after a period of inactivity, and is dedicated to supporting women 18 and older of the parish through spiritual growth, charitable service, and social events. The group meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at 5:30 PM in the Parish Hall and welcomes new members at any time. Among its activities, the Auxiliary provides stipends to the Seminarians of the Diocese of San Diego for Christmas and birthdays.
- Meets fourth Wednesday of the month at 5:30 PM in the Parish Hall
- Restarted late 2022 after a period of inactivity
- Provides Christmas and birthday stipends to seminarians of the Diocese of San Diego
- 2024 officers include Joyce French and Linda Jacobson (Co-chairs), Ann Koenig (Secretary), Janet Laccone (Treasurer), and Mary Smith (Spiritual Director)
- Contact: [email protected] ([email protected] in bulletin version)
Sacraments
The parish celebrates Baptism, Holy Matrimony, and Funerals by direct arrangement with Father David, and Anointing of the Sick by appointment with the parish office. Faith Formation is required for First Communion, Confirmation, and Baptism, and RCIA is offered for adults seeking to enter the Church. Registration in the parish is required for all sacramental preparation.
- Baptism — contact Fr. David
- Holy Matrimony — contact Fr. David
- Funerals — contact Fr. David
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment (emergency line: 619-445-2145)
- RCIA — for adults preparing to receive the sacraments
- Parish registration required for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, and Faith Formation
Staff and Parish Office
Queen of Angels is led by its pastor, Father David Exner, supported by a small but full parish office team. The parish also publishes a weekly bulletin called The Messenger. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and Friday, 9:00 AM to noon.
- Rev. David Exner — Pastor ([email protected])
- Enriqueta Luquin — Business Manager ([email protected])
- Jacob Brown — Administrative Assistant ([email protected])
- Glenn D'Abreo — Music Coordinator ([email protected])
- Darlene Ames — The Messenger Editor ([email protected])
- Rebecca Krawczak — Faith Formation Coordinator ([email protected])
- Parish email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM–2:00 PM; Fri 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Mission Statement
The parish mission statement, published in every bulletin, summarizes Queen of Angels' three-fold call: to grow in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ; to strengthen our faith by living and teaching the Gospel; and to serve God's people in the parish, the community, and the world.
- Grow in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ
- Strengthen our faith by living and teaching the Gospel
- Serve God's People in our parish, our community, and our world
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Earl Ullman1950–1951
First resident pastor of Alpine
- Rev. William Goodrow1951
- Rev. Joseph Hill1951–1952
- Rev. Jeremiah Murphy1953–1954
- Rev. Alfred Geimer1954–1955
- Rev. John D. Gallagher1955
- Rev. Joseph DiCristina1955–1957
- Rev. Thomas Bolten1958–1969
- Rev. Anthony J. Timlin1969–1974
- Rev. J. Walshe Murray1974–1978
- Rev. Laurence McLaughlin1978–1989
Directed the 1984 church enlargement and parish hall project
- Rev. Alphonsus Ryan1989–1990
- Rev. Harold Tindall1990–1996
- Rev. Matthew D. Spahr1996–2003
Began the 'Built of Living Stones' capital campaign in 2001
- Rev. Edward McNulty2003–2004
- Rev. Brendan McKeever, CP2004–2006
- Rev. Chris Kintanar2006–2014
- Rev. Devadhasan Masillamony2014–2015
- Rev. Timothy Deutsch2015–2021
- Rev. David Exner2021–Present
Current pastor