About Sacred Heart · Merced, California
Sacred Heart Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Merced, California, in the Diocese of Fresno. According to GCatholic, it was established in 1945 and has long served a predominantly Spanish-speaking faithful in the central San Joaquin Valley. The parish is staffed by an Administrator, a Vicar, and two deacons, and offers Mass daily in English and Spanish along with weekly confessions and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
- Established
- 1945
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Miguel Mancia (Parish Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fresno
Why belong here
Sacred Heart is a welcoming bilingual Catholic family that celebrates Mass several times each day in both Spanish and English, with regular Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel four days a week and Friday confessions. The parish actively forms its young people through First Communion and Confirmation programs and prepares couples for Weddings, with Baptisms and Quinceañeras scheduled through the office.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Adoration times
- Tuesday 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament)
- Thursday 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament)
- Wednesday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Exposition in the Chapel)
- Friday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Exposition in the Chapel)
About the Parish
Sacred Heart Church is a Catholic parish in Merced, California, within the Diocese of Fresno. The parish was established in 1945 and today serves a predominantly Spanish-speaking community alongside English-speaking parishioners in the San Joaquin Valley. Its worship schedule includes daily Mass Tuesday through Friday, a Saturday Vigil in Spanish, and five Sunday Masses — one English and four in Spanish.
Our Parish Clergy
Sacred Heart is led by a priest Administrator and a priest Vicar, with two permanent deacons assisting in ministry.
- Administrator: Rev. Miguel Mancia
- Vicar: Rev. Israel Avila
- Deacon Jorge Govea
- Deacon David Torres
Parish Staff
Lay staff keep the parish office, finances, and sacramental preparation programs running day to day.
- Office Manager: Mabel Garibay
- Parish Secretary: Ashley Cardenas
- Bookkeeper: Belen Torres
- First Communion Coordinator: Sandra Espinoza
- Confirmation Coordinators: Mabel Garibay & Ashley Cardenas
- Custodian: Elizabeth Guevara
Sacraments
Families are asked to contact the parish office to schedule Baptisms, Quinceañeras, and Weddings. First Communion and Confirmation are prepared through the parish's formation programs.
- Baptisms (Bautizos) — call the office to schedule an appointment
- Quinceañeras — call the office to schedule an appointment
- Weddings (Bodas) — call the office to schedule an appointment
- First Communion and Confirmation — handled through the Religious Education office
Religious Education & Faith Formation
The Religious Education office, located at 538 W. 13th Street, coordinates sacramental preparation for the parish's children. Sandra Espinoza serves as the First Communion Coordinator; Mabel Garibay directs Confirmation preparation.
- Religious Education phone: (209) 626-5017
- First Communion program for children ages 8–12; applications distributed in spring; classes once a week, Monday–Thursday, 4:30 – 5:30 PM, beginning in September; $75 fee
- Required registration documents: child's birth certificate, child's Baptism certificate, valid parent/guardian ID
- Confirmation preparation coordinated by Mabel Garibay (and Ashley Cardenas)
Office Hours and Contact
The parish office serves walk-in and phone visitors on weekdays, with a midday break and shorter hours on Friday. The office is closed on Mondays.
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed 12:00 – 1:00 PM)
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed 12:00 – 1:00 PM)
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed 12:00 – 1:00 PM)
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Phone: (209) 383-6604 • Fax: (209) 383-6608
- Email: [email protected]
Find Us
The parish church sits on West 13th Street; the main parish office is one block south on West 12th Street; the Religious Education office is also on West 13th Street.
- Church: 562 W. 13th Street, Merced, CA 95341
- Parish Office: 519 W. 12th Street, Merced, CA 95341
- Religious Education Office: 538 W. 13th Street, Merced, CA 95341