About Saint Joseph · Nipomo, California
St. Joseph's Parish is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish in Nipomo, California, a small community on the Central Coast of San Luis Obispo County. It belongs to the Diocese of Monterey and serves a congregation that includes a large Spanish-speaking population, with Sunday Masses celebrated in both English and Spanish. The parish operates from its campus at 298 South Thompson Avenue, offering daily Mass, a full sacramental program, faith formation for children and youth, an active youth confirmation ministry, RCIA for adults, and a food pantry. Pastoral leadership currently rests with Rev. Miguel Rodriguez as pastor and Rev. Manuel Galvez as parochial vicar, supported by two permanent deacons and a parish office staff.
- Established
- 1968
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Miguel Rodriguez
- Diocese
- Diocese of Monterey in California
Why belong here
St. Joseph's is a warm, bilingual parish that serves both English- and Spanish-speaking Catholics of the Nipomo area with a packed schedule of daily and Sunday Masses, weekly Confession, Eucharistic Adoration, and Morning Prayer. It is a good fit for families looking for Faith Formation classes for their children, teens preparing for Confirmation, or adults entering the Church through RCIA. The community is also known for its outreach: a food pantry, Respect Life and Faithful Citizenship ministries, Knights of Columbus, a Martha and Mary women's group, and a lay visit-the-homebound ministry make it easy to plug in and serve others in San Luis Obispo County.
Mass times at Saint Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm (Bilingual)
- Saturday 4:15 pm – 5:00 pm (Bilingual)
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament — see parish bulletin / announcements for current schedule
Parish Staff
The parish is led by Rev. Miguel Rodriguez as Pastor and Rev. Manuel Galvez as Parochial Vicar, with two permanent deacons, Dcn. Antonio Barata (who also serves as Liturgy Coordinator) and Dcn. Jorge Ruvalcaba. The office team includes Mayra Castillo (office), Rocio Martinez (assistant), and Rita Everling (secretary); Jose Martinez handles maintenance.
- Pastor: Fr. Miguel Rodriguez ([email protected])
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Manuel Galvez ([email protected])
- Deacon: Dcn. Antonio Barata ([email protected])
- Deacon: Dcn. Jorge Ruvalcaba ([email protected])
History of St. Joseph's Parish
Established in 1968, St. Joseph's was created to serve the growing Catholic population of Nipomo and surrounding rural San Luis Obispo County. The first Masses were celebrated on March 29, 1968, and over the next decade the parish grew into a stable community under its founding pastor, Rev. Silvano Girolami (1968–1977). Subsequent pastors shaped the parish through the rest of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, including Msgr. James Marron (1977–1987), Rev. James R. Cadera (1987–1993), Rev. James J. Frerkes (1993–2001), Very Rev. James Henry, V.F. (2001–2007), Rev. Ron Green (2007–2010), Rev. Ignacio Martinez (2010), Rev. Roy Margallo (2010–2011), and Rev. Alberto Cabrera (2010–2017). Rev. Miguel Rodriguez took over in 2017 and continues to serve as pastor.
- First Mass celebrated: March 29, 1968
- Diocese: Monterey in California
- Founded in the same wave of parish growth that produced St. Patrick's (Arroyo Grande), St. William's (Atascadero), St. Timothy's (Morro Bay) and other Central Coast parishes
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish Faith Formation program serves children from kindergarten through eighth grade, with grade-level catechists for K–1, 2, 3–4, 5–6, and 7–8. Registration is held each July. Children typically receive First Communion around age 7 (the age of reason) after the appropriate years of formation. A separate Youth Confirmation program runs for two years for high schoolers and uses the 'Chosen: Your Journey Toward Confirmation' curriculum along with the Youth Catholic Bible.
- Faith Formation Coordinator: Kim Venancio ([email protected], 805-598-0786)
- Grades 3–4 Catechist: Julie Budzisz ([email protected], 805-868-9949)
- Year 1 Confirmation classes begin Sunday, September 17 @ 9 am
- Year 2 Confirmation classes begin Sunday, September 24 @ 9 am
Youth Confirmation
St. Joseph's two-year Youth Confirmation program is designed to 'prepare our youth with the fire of the Holy Spirit.' It combines the Chosen curriculum, weekly Sunday Mass attendance, community service, scripture study with the Youth Catholic Bible, and the practice of prayer, almsgiving and service. The aim is to fan into flame the baptismal gift of the Holy Spirit in each candidate.
- Remind App: Year 1 @stjoni25, Year 2 @stjoni24
- Instagram: @stjonipomoyouthconfirmation
- Facebook: @stjonipoyouthconfirmation
- Curriculum: Chosen — Your Journey Toward Confirmation
Adult Formation & RCIA
Adults seeking baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, or full reception into the Catholic Church participate in the parish's Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), beginning each year in June with one year of preparation. Adult Confirmation candidates are encouraged to make an appointment with the priest to discuss their situation, and continuing adult formation study groups are also offered.
- RCIA registration opens in June each year
- Continuing Formation Groups and ongoing studies for already-initiated adults
Sacraments
St. Joseph's prepares and celebrates all seven sacraments. Infant Baptism is celebrated as soon as possible after birth (in the faith of the parents until the child reaches the age of reason at age 7). Children age 7 through eighth grade prepare for Baptism through two years of Faith Formation; older youth prepare through Confirmation; adults through RCIA. Confession is offered every Friday evening and Saturday afternoon (or by appointment). Confirmation is offered both to youth (two-year program) and adults (three scenarios handled individually with the priest). Anointing of the Sick is offered after First Friday Masses and by appointment.
- Baptism — Infant / Child / Youth / Adult
- Confirmation — Youth and Adult
- Eucharist (First Communion) — Children, Youth, Adults
- Confession / Penance and Reconciliation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Matrimony — call the parish office
- Holy Orders / Religious Life — referrals and discernment support
Ministries and Outreach
The parish maintains a wide network of lay ministries, both liturgical and service-oriented. Liturgical ministries support Sunday and weekday Masses; outreach ministries serve the wider Nipomo community through a food pantry, Respect Life and Faithful Citizenship efforts, and visits to the homebound. Parishioners are invited to assist with catechesis, office work, and building and grounds maintenance.
- Liturgical / Mass Ministries
- Eucharistic Ministry to the Homebound
- Parish Food Pantry
- Respect Life Ministry
- Faithful Citizenship
- Knights of Columbus
- Martha and Mary Society
- Office and Building & Grounds volunteers
Parish Office and Practical Information
Parish office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm – 5:30 pm; and Friday, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm. The parish is located at 298 South Thompson Avenue, Nipomo, CA 93444, and can be reached by phone at (805) 929-1922 or fax at (805) 929-2662. General inquiries should be directed to [email protected].
- Phone: (805) 929-1922
- Fax: (805) 929-2662
- General email: [email protected]
- Office closed for lunch 12:30 – 1:30 pm
Getting Involved
New parishioners and visitors are encouraged to introduce themselves after Mass or stop by the parish office. Volunteers are needed across nearly every area of parish life — teaching catechism, serving at the altar, bringing Communion to the homebound, sorting food pantry donations, supporting Respect Life, or helping with the Knights of Columbus and the Martha and Mary Society. Contact information for each ministry is published in the parish bulletin.
- See the parish bulletin for current ministry contacts
- Call the parish office (805) 929-1922 for volunteer opportunities
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Silvano Girolami1968–1977
First pastor of St. Joseph's, Nipomo, from founding year
- Rev. Msgr. James Marron1977–1987
Long-tenured pastor
- Rev. James R. Cadera1987–1993
- Rev. James J. Frerkes1993–2001
Served St. Joseph's before going on to other parish assignments in the diocese
- Very Rev. James Henry, V.F.2001–2007
V.F. = Vicar Forane
- Rev. Ron Green2007–2010
- Rev. Ignacio Martinez2010
- Rev. Roy Margallo2010–2011
- Rev. Alberto Cabrera2010–2017
- Rev. Miguel Rodriguez2017–present
Current pastor; previously served as parochial vicar at St. Joseph's