About Sacred Heart · Eureka, California
Sacred Heart Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Santa Rosa, located at 2085 Myrtle Avenue in Eureka, California. The parish serves both English- and Spanish-speaking families with reverent liturgy, faith formation, and outreach, and is currently clustered with St. Bernard and St. Joseph parishes in the Eureka area. Its striking mid-century modern church, built in 1965 and designed by local architect Marvin Trump of Trump & Sauble, was the first Catholic 'church in the round' on the West Coast and received the Eureka Heritage Society Community Preservation Award in 2023.
- Established
- 1965
- Patron
- Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Fr. Bernard John D'Sa (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Santa Rosa
Why belong here
Sacred Heart offers a warm, bilingual Catholic community with reverent liturgy, faith formation for all ages, and outreach to those in need — all under the distinctive roof of Eureka's first 'church in the round.' Sunday Mass is offered in both English (9:00 AM) and Spanish (12:15 PM), and the parish shares ministry with St. Bernard and St. Joseph to serve the wider Eureka area. Fr. Bernard and Fr. Eliseo, alongside Deacons Dance Ferrell and Craig Brown, welcome newcomers, returning Catholics, and Spanish-speaking families alike.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 6:00 PM – 6:50 PM
- First Saturday 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesday 6:00 PM (Adoration and Confessions at Sacred Heart, followed by 7:00 PM Spanish Mass)
About Sacred Heart Parish
Sacred Heart Parish is a Roman Catholic community in the Diocese of Santa Rosa, located at 2085 Myrtle Avenue in Eureka, California. The parish describes itself as 'a warm and faithful Catholic community rooted in the Gospel and united by the love of Christ,' welcoming both English- and Spanish-speaking families. Its mission is to know Christ more deeply, love Him more faithfully, and serve Him more generously, within the parish and in the wider community, guided by the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
- Diocese of Santa Rosa
- Bilingual: English and Spanish
- Clustered with St. Bernard and St. Joseph parishes in Eureka
- Motto rooted in the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Our Priests, Deacons, and Staff
Sacred Heart is led by an Administrator, Fr. Bernard John D'Sa, who was ordained in 1994 and came to the parish after serving as Administrator at Queen of Peace Church in Clear Lake. Originally from Goa, India, Fr. Bernard holds master's degrees in Education and Political Science and brings years of experience as a teacher and principal to his pastoral ministry. He is assisted by Fr. Eliseo Avendaño, Parochial Vicar, and two deacons — W. Dance Ferrell and Craig Brown — who assist at Mass, proclaim the Gospel, and support the sacramental and pastoral life of the parish.
- Rev. Bernard John D'Sa — Administrator
- Fr. Eliseo Avendaño — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon W. Dance Ferrell
- Deacon Craig Brown
The Building: A Mid-Century 'Church in the Round'
Sacred Heart is one of the first Catholic 'churches in the round' on the West Coast, a design that emerged from the liturgical renewal of Vatican II in the early 1960s. By placing the altar at the center and seating worshippers all around it, the design encourages congregational participation and a close relationship between liturgy and the assembly. The structure was designed by Eureka architect Marvin Trump of Trump & Sauble; construction began with groundbreaking on December 10, 1964, and the doors opened on December 19, 1965. The building is constructed of cement and Dalle glass — thick pieces of colored glass set in concrete — with stained-glass windows and sculptures personally designed by Donald Shepherd of the New York firm Jonynas & Shepherd Art Studio, who was a Eureka native.
- Architect: Marvin Trump (Trump & Sauble, Eureka)
- Stained glass and sculpture: Donald Shepherd (Jonynas & Shepherd Art Studio)
- Construction: 1964–1965; doors opened December 19, 1965
- Style: Mid-Century Modern 'church in the round'
- Materials: Cement with Dalle glass
- Honored with the Eureka Heritage Society Community Preservation Award in 2023
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Sacred Heart is committed to lifelong faith formation, from children's catechesis to adult Bible study. The parish's stated goal is 'to nurture lifelong discipleship grounded in truth and love.' Programs are offered to help every age group learn and live the Catholic faith.
- Children's catechesis
- Adult Bible studies
- Faith formation in both English and Spanish
Spanish-Language Ministry
As a growing and diverse community, Sacred Heart is 'deeply committed to serving all members, including our vibrant Spanish-speaking parishioners.' Masses, sacraments, and faith formation programs are offered in Spanish so that 'language is never a barrier to fully participating in parish life.' The parish affirms that this bilingual ministry enriches the community by embracing the cultural heritage and faith traditions of Hispanic brothers and sisters.
- Sunday Mass in Spanish at 12:15 PM
- Wednesday evening Mass in Spanish at 7:00 PM
- Spanish-language Reconciliation and faith formation
Music and Liturgy
The parish maintains a Parish Choir that supports its reverent, prayerful liturgies. The parish describes its celebrations of the Eucharist as 'reverent, engaging, and prayerful — inviting everyone into a deeper encounter with Christ through the Word and Sacrament.'
- Parish Choir
Sacraments
Sacred Heart prepares parishioners for the sacraments of initiation and life. Couples planning marriage are asked to contact the parish office at least six months in advance, and families requesting Baptism are asked to provide at least two months' notice. The parish also visits the sick and homebound, bringing Holy Communion, Reconciliation, and the Anointing of the Sick to those who are ill or in care facilities.
- Baptism (by appointment; two months' notice)
- Marriage (six months' advance notice)
- Reconciliation / Confession (Wednesday evenings and First Saturdays)
- Anointing of the Sick (by appointment)
- Holy Communion visits to the sick and homebound
Service and Outreach
Living out the Gospel means reaching beyond the parish walls. Through parish ministries and community partnerships, Sacred Heart 'serves those in need, supports the vulnerable, and brings Christ's light to the world around us.' The parish especially emphasizes visits to the sick, homebound, and those in care facilities.
- Visits to the sick, homebound, and those in care facilities
- Community partnerships and outreach to those in need
Visit, Contact, and Getting Involved
The parish office is reachable by phone at (707) 443-8429, and the church is located at 2085 Myrtle Avenue, Eureka, CA 95501. The parish welcomes newcomers, returning Catholics, and anyone seeking a spiritual home: 'Whether you're new to the area, returning to the Church, or seeking a spiritual home, we invite you to join us for Mass, community events, and parish life. All are welcome — todos son bienvenidos.'
- Phone: (707) 443-8429
- Address: 2085 Myrtle Avenue, Eureka, CA 95501
- Website: thesacredhearteureka.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/sacredhearteureka