About Saint John Eudes · Chatsworth, California
St. John Eudes Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Chatsworth, California, in the northwest San Fernando Valley, part of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles (Deanery 5, San Fernando Pastoral Region). Founded on May 14, 1963, by Cardinal James Francis McIntyre, it is the only parish in the United States named in honor of the 17th-century French priest St. John Eudes. The parish operates St. John Eudes School (Transitional Kindergarten through 8th grade), offers Mass in both English and Spanish, hosts Eucharistic Adoration, and serves more than 4,300 registered families across a diverse community in the western Valley.
- Established
- 1963
- Patron
- St. John Eudes (French priest, 1601–1680; founder of the Congregation of Jesus and Mary / Eudists)
- Rector
- Rev. Ethan Southard (Parish Administrator since July 1, 2019)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Los Angeles (Deanery 5, San Fernando Pastoral Region)
Why belong here
St. John Eudes is a large, multicultural parish (over 4,300 registered families) that offers a full sacramental life — daily and Sunday Mass in both English and Spanish, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and Saturday confessions — alongside a parish school (TK–8), Religious Education for children and adults, a Confirmation program, and a thriving ESL program that meets Saturdays in Fr. Grill Hall. Rooted in the Eudist charism of Christian service and devotion to the Sacred Hearts, the parish runs the beloved Memorial Day Summer Carnival and is known for its strong parish-school partnership on a single Mason Avenue campus in the western San Fernando Valley.
Mass times at Saint John Eudes
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
- Saturday 4:00 PM (and by appointment)
Adoration times
- Wednesday 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM (concluding before evening Mass)
Parish History
St. John Eudes Parish was founded on May 14, 1963, by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to serve the growing Catholic population of the northwest San Fernando Valley. Cardinal James Francis McIntyre named the parish in honor of St. John Eudes, a 17th-century French priest, in recognition of the work of the Good Shepherd Sisters. The founding pastor, Rev. Philip Grill, oversaw the opening of St. John Eudes School in 1966 and the dedication of the church in 1967. The parish weathered the devastating 1994 Northridge Earthquake under Fr. Robert McNamara, who led a $5.3 million rebuild rededicated by Cardinal Roger Mahony in 1996. After 26 years, Msgr. Grill retired in 1989 and Fr. McNamara became pastor. The Eudists (Congregation of Jesus and Mary) administered the parish from 2011 to 2018, with Fr. Gérard Lecomte, CJM, and Fr. Lawrence Goodwin, CJM, serving as pastors. Msgr. Emigdio Herrera served as interim administrator in 2018–2019, after which Fr. Ethan Southard was appointed administrator effective July 1, 2019.
- Founded May 14, 1963 by Cardinal McIntyre
- School opened 1966; church dedicated 1967
- 1994 Northridge Earthquake red-tagged the church
- 1996 rededication by Cardinal Mahony after $5.3M rebuild
- 2013: 50th anniversary, St. John Eudes Medal inaugurated, Pilgrimage to France
- Eudist administration 2011–2018
- Fr. Ethan Southard appointed administrator July 1, 2019
Patron Saint — St. John Eudes
The parish's patron, St. John Eudes (November 14, 1601 – August 19, 1680), was a French priest born in Ri, Normandy, who is celebrated, alongside St. Mary Margaret Alacoque, for initiating devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Holy Heart of Mary. He composed the Mass for the Sacred Heart in 1668. He founded several religious congregations, including the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity (which helped women and girls whose dignity had been threatened), the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (which trained priests, deacons, and other ministers — this is the 'Eudist' community that administered St. John Eudes Parish from 2011 to 2018), and the Society of the Children of the Admirable Mother's Heart, from which modern congregations such as the Little Sisters of the Poor and the Daughters of the Holy Hearts of Jesus and Mary descend. His feast day is celebrated on August 19.
- Born November 14, 1601 in Ri, France
- Died August 19, 1680
- Composed the Mass for the Sacred Heart (1668)
- Founded the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (Eudists)
- Feast day: August 19
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. John Eudes offers Religious Education programs for children, youth, and adults, running September through May for young people and year-round for adults. Sacramental preparation covers First Communion (for children in K–5th grade, coordinated by Maureen), Confirmation (for 9th–12th grade youth, via [email protected]), and the sacraments of initiation for older children and adults (Baptism, Communion, and Confirmation). The parish also runs an active ESL (English as a Second Language) program that meets every Saturday from 9:00 AM to noon in Grill Hall A/B, offering four levels of proficiency for adults in the surrounding community.
- Children's Religious Ed (Sept–May)
- First Communion prep (K–5): Maureen, x117
- Confirmation prep (9–12): [email protected]
- Adult sacraments of initiation (RCIA-style)
- ESL classes: Saturdays 9 AM – 12 PM, four levels
- Contact Silvia at x110 for Family Faith
St. John Eudes School
St. John Eudes School, founded in 1966 alongside the parish, serves Transitional Kindergarten through 8th grade on the same campus as the church at 9901 Mason Avenue. The school was originally staffed by the Sisters of the Pious Schools (Piarist Sisters), inspired by St. Paula Montal, with Sr. Beatrice Moreno as the first principal. The school enrolls approximately 25 students per class and is committed to integrating faith, life, and learning, building community, and providing opportunities for worship. After the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, classes resumed within two weeks and the parish community worshipped outdoors in a large tent on the school field during the church's two-year rebuild. In 2002, Barbara Danowitz became the school's first lay principal after Sr. Rosemary's 29-year tenure. The Fr. McNamara Library, dedicated in 2005, serves both the school and parish. Today, Fr. Ethan Southard serves as Pastor of the school, with Mrs. Jie Prospero as Vice Principal and Mrs. Espe Martin and Mrs. Tess Yuhico on the administrative team.
- Transitional Kindergarten – 8th Grade
- Founded 1966; 170 students in grades 1–4 at opening
- Class size ~25 students
- Sisters of the Pious Schools staffed the school at founding
- Fr. McNamara Library dedicated 2005
- Currently accepting applications for 2026/2027
Clergy & Pastoral Staff
The parish has been shepherded by seven pastors/administrators since its founding in 1963, beginning with Msgr. Philip Grill and currently led by Fr. Ethan Southard (since July 1, 2019). The pastoral team also includes a deacon serving as Pastoral Associate. During the Eudist era (2011–2018), two CJM priests led the parish: Fr. Gérard Lecomte, CJM (2011–2017) and Fr. Lawrence Goodwin, CJM (2017–2018). The parish falls under the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, in Deanery 5 of the San Fernando Pastoral Region; Bishop Alejandro Aclan serves as regional bishop.
- Fr. Ethan Southard — Parish Administrator (2019–present)
- Dcn. Son Hoang — Pastoral Associate / Deacon
- Fr. Lawrence Goodwin, CJM — Pastor (2017–2018)
- Fr. Gérard Lecomte, CJM — Pastor (2011–2017)
- Msgr. Emigdio Herrera — Interim Administrator (2018–2019)
- Msgr. Peter Nugent — Pastor Emeritus
Parish Ministries & Community Life
Beyond the sacraments and Religious Education, the parish runs a wide range of ministries and community-building events. The annual Memorial Day Weekend Summer Carnival and Multi-Cultural Celebration — featuring folkloric dancing, live music, family games, and rides with free admission and free parking — has become a beloved tradition reflecting the parish's ethnic diversity. Since 2013, the St. John Eudes Medal has honored individuals and groups who exemplify the patron's values. The Fr. McNamara Library, the HeartBeat alumni newsletter, and parish-wide stewardship and fundraising programs strengthen parish-school ties.
- Summer Carnival & Multi-Cultural Celebration (Memorial Day weekend)
- St. John Eudes Medal (since 2013)
- HeartBeat alumni newsletter
- Fr. McNamara Library (parish/school)
- Parish and Finance Councils
- ESL program (Saturdays, 4 levels)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. Philip Grill1963–1989 (founding pastor)
Founding pastor; commissioned by Cardinal McIntyre. Retired 1989. Died June 6, 2017, age 92. Honored with the naming of Fr. Grill Hall.
- Rev. Robert McNamara1989–c.2001
Led rebuilding of the church after the 1994 Northridge Earthquake; oversaw $5.3M redesign, new bell tower, plaza, and Fr. Grill Hall, rededicated by Cardinal Mahony in 1996. Fr. McNamara Library on the school campus dedicated in 2005 in his honor.
- Rev. Msgr. Peter Nugent2001–c.2011 (later Pastor Emeritus)
Strengthened parish-school ties; introduced the annual Summer Carnival and Multi-Cultural Celebration; oversaw technological improvements. Honored as a St. John's Seminary Distinguished Alumnus in 2013.
- Rev. Gérard Lecomte, CJM2011–2017
First Eudist (Congregation of Jesus and Mary) pastor; brought renewed charism of St. John Eudes; oversaw new stained glass windows and capital improvements.
- Rev. Lawrence Goodwin, CJM2017–2018
Second Eudist pastor. Canadian-born, ordained a priest in 2013. The Eudists returned administration of the parish to the Archdiocese in 2018.
- Rev. Msgr. Emigdio Herrera2018–2019
Interim parish administrator after the Eudists' departure.
- Rev. Ethan Southard2019–present
Appointed parish administrator effective July 1, 2019; also serves as Pastor of St. John Eudes School.