About St. Anthony Mary Claret · Fresno, California
St. Anthony Mary Claret Catholic Church is a bilingual (English/Spanish) parish in southern Fresno, California, served by the Claretian Missionaries (Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, CMF) of the U.S.A.–Canada Province. Founded in the early 1950s, it was the first parish in the United States to be named after St. Anthony Mary Claret, the 19th-century Spanish founder of the Claretians. Located at 2494 S. Chestnut Ave. in the 93725 ZIP code, the parish sits within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno and has grown into a thriving, predominantly Hispanic community of faith.
- Established
- 1951
- Patron
- St. Anthony Mary Claret
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Art Gramaje, CMF
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno
Why belong here
St. Anthony Mary Claret offers a fully bilingual Catholic life — every weekend Mass is celebrated in both English and Spanish, and the parish mission statement explicitly names a commitment to welcome and accompany 'people on the margins.' It is an ideal home for English-speaking, Spanish-speaking, and bilingual Catholic families in southeast Fresno and the surrounding Malaga area (the parish also runs the Christ the King Mission). The parish runs formation for every stage of life — children's Religious Education, the OCIA process for adults becoming Catholic or completing initiation, and a lively young-adult community (Called to Greatness / Catholics In Action) — all under the spiritual direction of the Claretian Missionaries, a religious order with a special charism for evangelization and the Catholic press.
Mass times at St. Anthony Mary Claret
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- Fridays 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Fridays 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Parish Identity & Mission
St. Anthony Mary Claret Catholic Church is a bilingual parish in southeast Fresno, California, served by the Claretian Missionaries (CMF). Its mission statement, presented in both English and Spanish on the parish website, reads: 'We are a community of faith, hope, and love called to share Christ's presence, especially as we welcome and accompany people on the margins.' / 'Somos una comunidad de Fe, Esperanza y Amor. Llamados para compartir la presencia de Cristo, especialmente cuando damos la bienvenida y acompañamos a las personas marginadas.'
- Parish type: Roman Catholic parish (Diocese of Fresno), staffed by Claretians (CMF).
- Mission statement (English and Spanish) emphasizes accompaniment of people on the margins.
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
History of the Parish
The Claretian Missionaries began ministering to the Spanish- and English-speaking faithful in suburban Fresno in 1951, erecting a temporary building that was later replaced by the permanent church on South Chestnut Avenue. It was the first parish in the United States to bear the name of St. Anthony Mary Claret. Over time, improvements were made and additional land purchased to support the growing community. The parish operates Christ the King Mission in Malaga as a satellite worship site.
- 1951 — Claretian ministry begins in suburban Fresno.
- First parish in the U.S. named after St. Anthony Mary Claret.
- Permanent church built on S. Chestnut Ave.; site expanded over the decades.
- Christ the King Mission in Malaga serves as the parish's satellite worship site.
Clergy & Pastoral Staff
The parish is currently shepherded by a team of three Claretian priests. Father Art Gramaje, CMF serves as pastor, with Father Brian Culley, CMF and Father Jose Marino Novoa, CMF as parochial vicars. The parish has been served over the decades by a long line of Claretian priests assigned by the U.S.A.–Canada Province based in Chicago.
- Pastor: Rev. Fr. Art Gramaje, CMF
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Fr. Brian Culley, CMF
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Fr. Jose Marino Novoa, CMF
- Parishioners seeking the sacrament of Reconciliation may also approach any priest by appointment.
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a year-round Religious Education program for children, with classes offered in both English (Saturday) and Spanish (Friday). Under the leadership of Director of Religious Education Alicia Meza and the parish priests, the program places strong emphasis on lifelong catechesis and family formation.
- Saturday Class (English): 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM.
- Friday Class (Spanish / Clase del Viernes): 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM.
- Post-Communion track continues faith formation after First Eucharist.
- Registration traditionally opens June – August for the following year.
OCIA — Becoming Catholic (Adults)
The parish's Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) program walks unbaptized adults, baptized non-Catholics, and baptized Catholics missing sacraments through the journey into full communion with the Catholic Church. The parish frames catechesis as 'the act of handing on the Word of God' — forming people into witnesses to Christ and opening their hearts to the Holy Spirit.
- Unbaptized Adults — prepares for Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation.
- Baptized Non-Catholics — Profession of Faith, First Communion, Confirmation.
- Baptized Catholics missing First Communion or Confirmation — individualized preparation.
- Non-Confirmed Catholics — Adult Confirmation program.
- Registration: June – August for the upcoming year.
Young Adult & Youth Ministry
St. Anthony Mary Claret places special emphasis on engaging young adults and youth in the life of the parish. The flagship young-adult group, Called to Greatness (CTG), meets twice a month and welcomes all adults ages 18–39, while Catholics In Action (CIA) provides a parallel fellowship and retreat community that celebrated its one-year anniversary in 2024. Youth Ministry is offered for younger teens, and the parish regularly holds retreats, ministry trainings, and parish-wide formation events.
- Called to Greatness (CTG) — young adults 18–39; 2nd & 4th Thursdays at 7:00 PM.
- Catholics In Action (CIA) — young adult fellowship, retreats (e.g., Oakhurst retreat, June 2024).
- Youth Ministry programs for teens.
- Parish-wide retreats and ministry trainings.
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments and provides preparation programs for each. The 'Sacraments' section of the parish website highlights Baptism, Marriage, and Religious Education, while Reconciliation is offered weekly and OCIA prepares adults for initiation.
- Baptism — preparation required; contact the parish office.
- First Reconciliation / First Communion — for children and adults.
- Confirmation — adult and youth tracks available.
- Marriage — parish preparation and coordination with the Diocese of Fresno.
- Reconciliation (Confession) — Saturdays 3:30–4:30 PM and Fridays 6:30–7:30 PM, or by appointment.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Ron Alves, CMF
Listed among Claretian priests who have served the parish.
- Rev. Cecil Barron, CMF
- Rev. Robert J. Billett, CMF
- Rev. Brian Culley, CMF
Currently serving as parochial vicar.
- Rev. Tony Diaz, CMF
- Rev. Dennis Gallo, CMF
- Rev. Art Gramaje, CMF
Current pastor.
- Rev. Fred H. Leclaire, CMF
- Rev. Henry J. Luna, CMF
- Rev. Darrin Merlino, CMF
- Rev. Quyen Nguyen, CMF
- Rev. Anthony Okolo, CMF
- Rev. Ramón (Valent…Rámon), CMF
- Rev. José Sánchez, CMF
- Rev. Rosendo Urrabazo, CMF
- Rev. Fernando Vega, CMF