About Resurrection · Sunnyvale, California
Church of the Resurrection is a Roman Catholic parish in Sunnyvale, California, belonging to the Diocese of San Jose. Located at 725 Cascade Drive, the parish is a welcoming faith community dedicated to celebrating the sacraments joyfully, providing lifelong spiritual formation, and serving neighbors in need. Its weekend schedule includes a Saturday Vigil Mass and three Sunday Masses (one streamed online), and the parish operates a religious education program for children, a high-school youth group, ongoing adult faith formation, and outreach ministries such as the St. Vincent de Paul Conference and Tijuana Mission trips.
- Established
- 1954 (property purchased by the Archdiocese of San Francisco); parish formally established under founding pastor Father Nicholas Farana, appointed 1963
- Patron
- The Risen Christ — parish is named "Church of the Resurrection"
- Rector
- Rev. Mark Gazzingan
- Diocese
- Diocese of San Jose (formerly part of the Archdiocese of San Francisco)
Why belong here
Church of the Resurrection offers a full Catholic life in a friendly Sunnyvale setting: three Sunday Masses plus a Saturday Vigil (livestreamed for those at home), weekday Masses in the chapel, Eucharistic Adoration every Thursday morning, and Saturday confessions. Families can grow together through the parish Religious Education program (K–8), a weekly youth group for high-schoolers, RCIA/OCIA for adults discerning the faith, and men's and women's faith-sharing groups. The parish reaches outward in concrete ways — a St. Vincent de Paul Conference (active since 1995) helping neighbors with food and clothing, Tijuana mission trips, communion services at local nursing homes, and a grief support group — making it a community where members truly serve one another.
Mass times at Resurrection
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00–4:45 pm (Confessional room in the Church)
Adoration times
- Thursday 8:45 am–12:00 pm (in the Chapel)
- Adoration Chapel also open during weekday office hours for quiet prayer
Parish Identity, Mission & Vision
Church of the Resurrection describes itself as a spiritual Catholic community in Sunnyvale, California, named for the Risen Christ. The parish's stated mission is 'To joyfully and actively celebrate the sacraments, provide lifelong spiritual formation that nourishes our faith, and lovingly and compassionately serve the world,' and its vision is to be 'an enthusiastic, welcoming, and serving Catholic Community of Christ's Disciples.' The parish sits within the Diocese of San Jose and serves a diverse parish family in the heart of Silicon Valley.
- Named for the Risen Christ
- Diocese of San Jose
- Mission: joyfully celebrate the sacraments, provide lifelong formation, lovingly serve the world
- Vision: an enthusiastic, welcoming, and serving Catholic community of Christ's disciples
History of the Parish
The land for Church of the Resurrection was purchased in 1954 by the Archdiocese of San Francisco, and the parish was formally established under founding pastor Father Nicholas Farana, appointed in 1963. Over the following decades, Resurrection added classrooms, dedicated an Activities Center in September 1974, and grew into the parish known today. Father Michael J. O'Connor led the parish as pastor from 1990 to 2002 before a sabbatical in Jerusalem; he later died in 2008. The Resurrection Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, active since 1995, has become a long-standing outreach arm of the parish.
- 1954: Property purchased by Archdiocese of San Francisco
- 1963: Father Nicholas Farana named founding pastor
- 1974: Activities Center dedicated
- 1990–2002: Father Michael J. O'Connor as pastor
- 1995: St. Vincent de Paul Resurrection Conference begins
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Mark Gazzingan, supported by Parochial Vicar Rev. Louis Lava (Leveil), S.J., S.T.D., with Rev. Andrew Salapata and Rev. Ala Nadim Alalamat in residence. Deacon Mike Haas assists with pastoral and liturgical ministry. The lay staff includes Office Manager (Parish Secretary) Mary-Clare Affonso, Music Director Amy Stacke, and Religious Education Director Jeanne Matsuda.
- Rev. Mark Gazzingan — Pastor ([email protected])
- Rev. Louis Lava (Leveil), S.J., S.T.D. — Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
- Rev. Andrew Salapata — in residence
- Rev. Ala Nadim Alalamat — in residence
- Deacon Mike Haas ([email protected], 408-616-9315)
- Mary-Clare Affonso — Parish Secretary ([email protected])
- Amy Stacke — Music Director ([email protected])
- Jeanne Matsuda — Religious Education Director ([email protected], 408-772-5383)
Sacraments
Church of the Resurrection prepares parishioners for all the sacraments of Catholic life. Infant Baptism requires a pre-baptismal interview with one of the priests. Marriage preparation requires at least six months of contact with a priest, and weddings normally take place in the parish of the bride or groom. Anointing of the Sick is available for those who are seriously ill, preparing for surgery, or frail and elderly, with an urgent line (650-447-5086) for emergencies. OCIA (formerly RCIA) walks adults through Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation. Holy Orders inquiries are referred to the Diocesan Vocations Office.
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Eucharist / First Communion
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- Marriage
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders — Vocations Office (408) 983-0100
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Religious Education Program at Church of the Resurrection serves children from Kindergarten (newly added for 2025–2026) through 8th Grade using textbooks based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Adult Faith Formation gathers every Sunday at 9:45 am in the Resurrection School Library under the leadership of Deacon Mike Haas.
- Religious Education — K through 8th grade
- Textbooks based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church
- Adult Faith Formation — Sundays 9:45 am, Resurrection School Library
- Registration ongoing each catechetical year
Youth Ministry
All high-schoolers are invited to the parish's youth-led Youth Group, which meets Sundays from 11:15 am to 12:15 pm and focuses on Faith, Fun and Future through socials, speaker sessions, Bible study, music, and service activities. There is also a Youth Choir and Band that leads the music at the 10:00 am Sunday Mass.
- Youth Group — Sundays 11:15 am–12:15 pm
- Youth Choir and Band — leads 10:00 am Sunday Mass
- Contact: [email protected]
- Music inquiries: [email protected]
Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA) invites adults to explore the Catholic faith, prepare for Baptism, complete the Sacraments of Initiation, or renew their formation. The process moves through Inquiry, Catechumenate, Purification & Enlightenment, and Mystagogy, and is open to all who wish to 'come and see.'
- OCIA for unbaptized adults, baptized Christians, and Catholics seeking completion of sacraments
- Contact: Deacon Mike Haas, 408-616-9315, [email protected]
Faith-Sharing & Scripture Groups
The parish supports ongoing spiritual growth for adults through Scripture studies, a Men's Faith Sharing Group that promotes Christian fellowship, and a women's faith-sharing community. These small groups meet weekly and are central to the parish's formation life.
- Men's Faith Sharing Group
- Women's Faith-Sharing Group
- Weekly Scripture studies
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Music at Church of the Resurrection is coordinated by Music Director Amy Stacke. The parish is blessed with a Youth Choir and Band that leads worship at the 10:00 am Sunday Mass, offering young musicians a way to serve as music ministers.
- Music Director: Amy Stacke ([email protected])
- Youth Choir and Band at 10:00 am Sunday Mass
St. Vincent de Paul & Outreach
The Resurrection Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, active since 1995, is a Catholic lay organization of 'Vincentians' who offer person-to-person service to neighbors in need in Sunnyvale. Each Saturday morning the conference distributes groceries, accepts pantry donations (nonperishable food items) and clothing donations (which are taken to Sacred Heart Community Service in San Jose).
- SVdP helpline: 408-773-6185
- Saturday morning grocery distribution (8:00–8:45 am)
- Pantry needs: peanut butter, pasta sauce, cereal, canned fish, beans, soup, fruit, vegetables, meals-in-a-can
- Clothing donations delivered to Sacred Heart Community Service
- Vehicle donation program: 1-800-322-8284 / svdp.org
Mission Trips & Service Projects
The Tijuana Ministry sends parishioners on immersion trips to the La Morita area of Tijuana to build homes for families in need and minister to women and children. Parishioners also assemble Loving Hands for the Kairos prison ministry, toiletry kits for unhoused people, and snack bags as part of community-wide service events such as the annual Community Service Sunday pancake breakfast.
- Tijuana Ministry (La Morita) — contact Mike O'Connell, 408-887-9055
- Kairos prison ministry — Loving Hands
- Community Service Sunday — pancake breakfast, service activities
Pastoral Care & Nursing Home Ministry
The Legion of Mary fosters devotion to Our Lady and members participate in the parish's various ministries. Each week the parish brings Holy Communion to residents of neighboring nursing facilities, and a monthly Mass is celebrated there. A Grief Support Group accompanies those who have lost loved ones, and a new outreach to local seniors was announced for late January 2026.
- Legion of Mary
- Weekly Communion services at neighboring nursing facilities
- Monthly Mass at neighboring nursing facilities
- Grief Support Group
- Senior outreach initiative (beginning January 27, 2026)
Worship & Eucharistic Devotion
The parish is committed to deepening love for the Eucharist through weekly Thursday morning Adoration with Benediction, an open Adoration Chapel during weekday office hours, and formation series such as 'Loving the Mass, Loving Jesus: A Four-Weekend Journey through the Parts of the Mass' that helped parishioners grow in understanding of Christ's Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist.
- Thursday Adoration 8:45 am–12:00 pm
- Thursday Benediction 12:00 pm
- Adoration Chapel open during weekday office hours
- 'Loving the Mass, Loving Jesus' formation series
Visiting & Parish Registration
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed at Church of the Resurrection; new families or those changing contact information are invited to fill out a registration form (available in the bulletin) and place it in the collection basket, the suggestion box at the door, or return it by mail. Bulletin announcements and the parish events calendar are published weekly on the parish website.
- New parishioner registration via bulletin form
- Weekly bulletin, announcements and events posted online
- Liturgical emergencies: 650-447-5086
Contact, Office & Cemeteries
The parish office is staffed Monday through Thursday, 9:30 am to 5:00 pm (closed for lunch from 12 noon to 1:00 pm); the office is closed on Fridays. Burial needs for parishioners are served by the Diocese of San Jose Catholic Cemeteries (Gate of Heaven, 650-428-3730).
- Parish Office: 408-245-5554 (Mon.–Thurs. 9:30 am–5:00 pm, closed Friday)
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 725 Cascade Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94087
- Emergency / Anointing line: 650-447-5086
- San Jose Catholic Cemeteries (Gate of Heaven): 650-428-3730
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Nicholas FaranaAppointed 1963
Founding pastor of Church of the Resurrection
- Rev. Michael J. O'Connor1990–2002
Pastor of Resurrection Parish from July 1, 1990 to June 30, 2002; took a biblical sabbatical in Jerusalem 2002–2003; died July 16, 2008.