About Resurrection · Aptos, California
Resurrection Catholic Community is a parish in Aptos, California, in Santa Cruz County, belonging to the Diocese of Monterey in the Roman Rite (Latin Church). Situated on five acres originally deeded by Claus Spreckels in 1874, the parish now serves over 1,000 families across its campus of the worship church (built 2002) and the Markey Community Center. Its mission is 'Dedicated to Growing in Christ and to the Challenges of Loving Service,' and it offers daily and weekend Masses, faith formation for children and youth, RCIA, an on-site food pantry, and a wide range of outreach ministries that serve both parishioners and the broader Aptos community.
- Established
- 1968
- Patron
- The Resurrection of the Lord (parish is named Resurrection)
- Rector
- Rev. Romeo Evangelista
- Diocese
- Diocese of Monterey in California
Why belong here
Resurrection is a warm, mid-sized parish where a roster of more than a dozen active ministries — from faith formation for K–12, Confirmation, RCIA, and Youth Ministry to Knights of Columbus, Women's Guild, Senior Ministry, the food pantry, 'Shower the People,' Gabriel Project, Angel Tree, prison and jail outreach, and bereavement support — make it easy to plug in. Daily and weekend Masses are complemented by a live-streamed Sunday liturgy, Adoration, and a Friday Holy Hour, so Catholics at any life stage can find formation, fellowship, and service opportunities grounded in the parish mission: 'Growing in Christ and to the Challenges of Loving Service.'
Mass times at Resurrection
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment — call the parish office at 831-688-4300
Adoration times
- Friday Holy Hour: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (In-Person & Live Streamed)
Welcome & Mission
The parish's homepage greets visitors with a simple message: 'Welcome to Resurrection Catholic Community. All are welcome!' Its published mission statement reads: 'Resurrection Catholic Community is Dedicated to Growing in Christ and to the Challenges of Loving Service.' The parish describes itself as a growing, thriving community that serves over 1,000 families and offers an expanding roster of ministries to parishioners and the wider Aptos community, supported by two buildings on its campus — the church and the Markey Community Center.
- Mission: Dedicated to Growing in Christ and to the Challenges of Loving Service
- Serves over 1,000 families
- Two-building campus: church + Markey Community Center
History & Heritage
The community's land has roots in a 1874 deed from Claus Spreckels and an earlier cemetery gift from Rafael Castro; a chapel was built in 1875, and Mt. Carmel Parish was formally established in Aptos in 1903. The modern Resurrection parish traces to Rev. Francis L. Markey's pastorate beginning in 1968. Under Fr. Peter Crivello, ground was broken on a new church in 2000 and the community moved into it in spring 2002, with the original worship space repurposed as the Markey Community Center.
- 1874 — Claus Spreckels deeds the five-acre site
- 1875 — Our Lady of Mt. Carmel chapel built by five pioneers
- 1903 — Mt. Carmel Parish formally established
- 1968 — Rev. Francis L. Markey becomes Resurrection's founding pastor
- 2000 — Ground broken on the new church under Fr. Crivello
- 2002 — Community moves into the present church; old church becomes Markey Community Center
Parish Staff
The Resurrection team blends ordained and lay ministers. Fr. Romeo Evangelista serves as pastor; Deacon Patrick Conway as Pastoral Associate runs faith formation and sacramental preparation. Karen Victorino is Administrative Manager, Gabrielle 'Gabe' Summers coordinates Youth Ministry, Jolene McFeely is Parish Secretary, Rita Marseille is Volunteer Senior Resource Coordinator, with Jose Rufino on maintenance and Leticia Enriquez as custodian.
- Pastor — Rev. Romeo Evangelista ([email protected])
- Pastoral Associate — Deacon Patrick Conway ([email protected])
- Administrative Manager — Karen Victorino ([email protected])
- Youth Minister — Gabrielle 'Gabe' Summers ([email protected])
- Parish Secretary — Jolene McFeely ([email protected])
- Volunteer Senior Resource Coordinator — Rita Marseille ([email protected])
- Maintenance — Jose Rufino
- Custodian — Leticia Enriquez
Sacraments
The parish website spells out how to arrange each sacrament. Baptisms are coordinated through Deacon Patrick Conway at [email protected]. Couples begin marriage prep by reading the published Marriage Guidelines, then contact Administrative Manager Karen Victorino. The Anointing of the Sick is arranged by calling the parish office, and Reconciliation is offered by appointment. Children's First Eucharist and a two-year high school Confirmation program are supported, and adults interested in becoming Catholic are welcomed through RCIA Catholic Information Nights held Tuesday evenings in the Weekday Mass Chapel.
- Baptism — Deacon Patrick Conway, [email protected]
- Marriage — review Guidelines first, then Karen Victorino
- Anointing of the Sick — call parish office
- Reconciliation — by appointment
- First Eucharist preparation
- Confirmation (two-year high school program)
- RCIA / Catholic Information Nights
Faith Formation for Children & Teens
Resurrection runs a comprehensive K–12 faith formation program. K–5 classes meet in-person on Thursdays from 3:45–5:00 PM, beginning in the church before children are dismissed to their classes (a homeschool option is available). Middle School (Grades 6–8) gathers roughly monthly on Sundays at 11:30 AM. The two-year High School Confirmation program meets on Sundays beginning with the 10:15 AM Mass and continuing in the Youth Center from 11:30 AM until about 1:00–1:30 PM. Registration for the next academic year opens in the fall; families can contact Deacon Patrick Conway at 831-840-3750.
- K–5 Faith Formation — Thu 3:45–5:00 PM (homeschool option)
- Middle School (Grades 6–8) — monthly Sun 11:30 AM
- Confirmation Year 1 & Year 2 — Sun, beginning at 10:15 AM Mass
- Youth Ministry — Mrs. Gabe Summers, [email protected], 831-345-1545
RCIA & Adult Faith
Adults exploring Catholicism are invited to RCIA Catholic Information Nights. Per a recent bulletin, these gatherings were held Tuesday evenings at 7:00 PM in the Weekday Mass Chapel. Inquiries go to Deacon Patrick Conway at 831-840-3750 or [email protected].
- Catholic Information Nights — Tue 7:00 PM, Weekday Mass Chapel
- Contact: Deacon Patrick Conway, 831-840-3750
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
Youth Minister Gabrielle 'Gabe' Summers coordinates a Youth Ministry program that includes Confirmation formation, Middle School gatherings, and an annual mission trip where each participant contributes toward costs (a sponsor request of about $500 is noted in bulletins). The parish also connects young adults ages 18–30 with Diocese of Monterey gatherings hosted at Holy Cross in Santa Cruz (Tuesdays) and St. Patrick's in Watsonville (Thursdays).
- Annual Youth Mission Trip
- Young Adult Ministry — Diocese of Monterey, ages 18–30
- Holy Cross, Santa Cruz — selected Tuesdays
- St. Patrick's, Watsonville — selected Thursdays
Outreach & Charitable Works
Outreach is at the heart of the parish's identity — the Pastoral Plan lists 'We accept the challenges of loving service to those in need.' The on-site Food Pantry is open Mondays and Fridays from 10:00 to 12:00 noon (closed on holidays). Other works include Coats for Kids, 'Shower the People' ministry to the homeless, participation in COPA (a broader faith-community partnership addressing housing, mental health, immigration, economic development, and education), Bereavement Ministry, Men's Grief Support Group, Knights of Columbus, Women's Guild, Senior Ministry, Parish Assistance Ministry, the Gabriel Project, Angel Tree, Prison & Jail Ministries, and San Andreas Tutoring.
- Food Pantry — Mon & Fri 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
- Knights of Columbus, Women's Guild
- Senior Ministry, Bereavement Ministry, Men's Grief Support Group
- Parish Assistance Ministry, Gabriel Project, Angel Tree
- Coats for Kids, 'Shower the People' homeless outreach
- COPA partnerships
- Prison & Jail Ministries
- San Andreas Tutoring
Pastoral Plan 2018–2023
The published Parish Pastoral Plan frames Resurrection's life across Worship, Faith Formation, Outreach, Community Life, and Stewardship. It inventories the parish's 'Blessings' — supportive staff, vibrant community, meaningful liturgies, active organizations, and special events like the parish Seder meal and St. Patrick's gatherings — and its 'Dreams,' such as a regular young adult program, more faith-sharing groups, a Liturgy Council, expanded social media, and small common-interest groups (grief support, single parents, LGBT Catholics, non-Catholics, the homeless).
- Five pillars: Worship, Faith Formation, Outreach, Community Life, Stewardship
- Special events: Seder meal, St. Patrick's dinner, parish dinners
- Dreams include a Liturgy Council and expanded social media outreach
Markey Community Center & Capital Campaign
The original Resurrection worship space now lives on as the Markey Community Center (named for founding pastor Fr. Francis L. Markey). A 2020 Capital Campaign was launched to remodel the Markey Community Center, expanding the parish's capacity for ministry. The site offers resources for one-time and recurring online giving.
- Markey Community Center — named for Fr. Francis L. Markey
- 2020 Capital Campaign to remodel the Center
- Online giving available via the parish website
Liturgy in the Digital Space
Resurrection maintains an active digital ministry: Sunday Worship Aids, on-demand Monday Morning Prayer and Daily Night Prayer on YouTube, a livestream of the 10:15 AM Sunday Mass (also on Zoom, Meeting ID 429 472 279), and a Sunday eBulletin. The website also links to Father Romeo's homilies, the Diocese of Monterey, Catholic News Service, Word on Fire daily reflections, and Good Shepherd Catholic School.
- Sunday 10:15 AM Mass — livestreamed on YouTube and Zoom (ID 429 472 279)
- Sunday Worship Aid published online
- Monday Morning Prayer & Daily Night Prayer — YouTube on demand
- Father Romeo's homilies — linked from website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Francis L. Markey1968–1974
Founding pastor of the Resurrection community after serving St. Joseph's 1960–1968; the Markey Community Center is named in his honor.
- Fr. Victor Farrell1974–1976
- Fr. Jim Frerkes1976–1978
- Fr. Michael Marini1978–1985
- Fr. Michael Adams1986
- Fr. Larry Kambitsch1986–1992
- Fr. Ken Laverone1992–1997
- Fr. Peter Crivello1997–2004
Broke ground on the new church in 2000; community moved into the new house of worship in spring 2002.
- Fr. Ron Shirley2004–2016
- Rev. Romeo Evangelista2016–present
Current pastor.