About St. Augustine · South San Francisco, California
St. Augustine Catholic Church is a large, vibrant Roman Catholic parish in the Westborough neighborhood of South San Francisco, California, belonging to the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Founded in 1970 under the leadership of founding pastor Fr. Paul E. Duggan, it has grown to become one of the largest — by most accounts the largest — parish in the three-county Archdiocese, with a heavily Filipino-American congregation of roughly 3,500 registered families. The parish celebrates Mass in English and Tagalog (Filipino), livestreams its services, and runs more than thirty ministries, eight parish choirs, and active St. Vincent de Paul and Knights of Columbus chapters.
- Established
- 1970
- Patron
- St. Augustine
- Rector
- Rev. Raymund 'Father Ray' Macapinlac Reyes
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of San Francisco
Why belong here
St. Augustine is a worshiping community that enthusiastically manifests faith through action, with open arms for all of God's children. A parishioner here can plug into more than thirty active ministries — Small Christian Communities, St. Vincent de Paul, Knights of Columbus #9714, Legion of Mary, the St. Augustine Youth Group, a Young Adults group, Adult Faith Formation, RCIA, Bible Study, and Children's Faith Formation from first grade through high school — and worship at one of the largest parishes in the Archdiocese of San Francisco, with daily livestreamed Masses, Friday Eucharistic Adoration, a refurbished confessional, and a First-Sunday Tagalog (Filipino) Mass serving the parish's vibrant Filipino-American community.
Mass times at St. Augustine
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm
- Saturday 3:30 pm – 4:15 pm
- By appointment — call (650) 873-2282
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration in the Chapel every Friday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm (Blessed Sacrament exposed after the 9:00 am Mass until 5:00 pm)
- Concluded with silent reposition and Benediction on First Fridays
Welcome & Parish Mission
St. Augustine Parish describes itself as 'a worshiping community that enthusiastically manifests faith through action, with open arms for all of God's children.' Its mission is simply stated: 'We live God's Word and continue His Work.' The parish has continued to meet the sacramental needs of parishioners, guests, and online viewers throughout and after the COVID-19 pandemic, livestreaming daily Masses on YouTube and Facebook and offering FM 88.1 audio for outdoor Mass attendees in their cars.
- Vision: a worshiping community that enthusiastically manifests faith through action
- Mission: We live God's Word and continue His Work
- Daily Mass livestreamed via Facebook Live and YouTube
- Outdoor Mass audio on FM 88.1
Our History
St. Augustine was formally established July 1, 1970, formally installed under founding pastor Fr. Paul E. Duggan on December 1, 1970, and grew out of Catholics from Daly City, South San Francisco, San Bruno, and Pacifica. The parish's first weekend home was Ted's Produce in Westborough Square, then the gym of Westborough Junior High School; the current multi-purpose church was dedicated December 14, 1975 by Archbishop Joseph T. McGucken. A parish hall and rectory followed in 1981, the church was expanded and consecrated by Archbishop William J. Levada on June 2, 2001, and on its 45th anniversary the parish renovated its Sanctuary. See the dedicated sections below for the fuller timeline.
- Established July 1, 1970
- Founding pastor: Fr. Paul E. Duggan
- Church dedicated Dec 14, 1975 by Archbishop Joseph T. McGucken
- Expansion consecrated June 2, 2001 by Archbishop William J. Levada
- Sanctuary renovation on the parish's 45th anniversary
Founding & Early Years (1970–1975)
Before the church building existed, the new St. Augustine community worshipped at Ted's Produce — a small Asian produce stall next to the original Walgreens in Westborough Square — and later at Westborough Junior High School's gymnasium (now Westborough Middle School), where up to seven weekend Masses were celebrated. Religious Education was run by Sister Josephine Leyne, D.M.J., from preschool through adult classes; Fr. Duggan was the only full-time priest, with regular help from Jesuit priests and seminarians from St. Patrick's Seminary.
- Saturday 7:15 PM Mass at Ted's Produce
- Seven weekend Masses at Westborough Junior High gymnasium
- Sr. Josephine Leyne, D.M.J., directed Religious Education
- Roughly 2,300 families at the parish's outset
Building the Church (1975–1981)
The church site was blessed on February 15, 1975, and the multi-purpose church building was dedicated December 14, 1975 with Archbishop McGucken concelebrating alongside the Duggan brothers and other pastors. The first First Holy Communions were celebrated April 30 and May 1, 1977. In May 1979, second pastor Fr. Michael J. Keane and Associate Pastor Fr. Robert J. Gemmet launched a $484,000 appeal for a parish hall and rectory; the groundbreaking was February 10, 1980 and the new facilities were dedicated March 22, 1981.
- Site blessing Feb 15, 1975
- Church dedication Dec 14, 1975
- First Communions April 30 & May 1, 1977
- Hall & rectory groundbreaking Feb 10, 1980
- Hall & rectory dedication March 22, 1981
Growth, Expansion & the 21st Century
Under fourth pastor Fr. Eugene Tungol, the parish launched a 1997 Capital Campaign to expand the church and add a parish school. Archbishop William J. Levada consecrated the expanded church on June 2, 2001. The parish's overwhelmingly Filipino-American congregation reached roughly 3,500 registered families by 1999, making St. Augustine the largest parish in the three-county Archdiocese of San Francisco and spurring a high-profile battle with the South San Francisco Planning Commission over parking and a planned new school. On its 45th anniversary the Sanctuary was renovated as a parish-wide effort.
- 1997 Capital Campaign under Fr. Eugene Tungol
- Expansion consecrated June 2, 2001
- 1999 fight with the South San Francisco Planning Commission over expansion and new school
- Sanctuary renovation on the parish's 45th anniversary
Masses & Services
St. Augustine celebrates a full weekly schedule of Masses in English, with a First-Sunday-of-the-month 5:30 pm Mass in Tagalog (Filipino) for the parish's vibrant Filipino-American community. Daily Masses are livestreamed via YouTube and Facebook. Confessions are heard Friday afternoons and Saturday afternoons, and Eucharistic Adoration is held in the chapel every Friday.
- Sunday: 7:30 am, 9:00 am (livestreamed), 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, 5:30 pm
- 1st Sunday 5:30 pm: Tagalog (Filipino) Mass, livestreamed
- Saturday: 9:00 am (livestreamed) and 4:30 pm Vigil Mass
- Weekdays: 9:00 am (livestreamed) and 5:30 pm
Parish Staff
St. Augustine is led by Pastor Fr. Raymund 'Father Ray' Macapinlac Reyes and Parochial Vicar Fr. Uwabunkeonye Ifeanyichukwu Henry, with two Permanent Deacons — Rev. Mr. Nestor L. Fernandez II and Rev. Mr. Virgil Capetti — and Sr. Ruth Linaac, RVM on staff. Lay staff includes an Operations Manager, Director of Religious Education, Administrative Assistant, Faith Formation Secretary, and a Youth and Young Adult Ministry Coordinator.
- Pastor: Rev. Raymund 'Father Ray' Macapinlac Reyes
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Uwabunkeonye Ifeanyichukwu Henry
- Permanent Deacons: Rev. Mr. Nestor L. Fernandez II; Rev. Mr. Virgil Capetti
- Sr. Ruth Linaac, RVM
Parish Life & Ministries
The parish says the heart of a parish is the Eucharist, but the parish family is the body that makes it unique. St. Augustine offers more than thirty ministries and organizations — liturgical (altar servers, lectors, EMHC, sacristans, hospitality, liturgical arts, music), faith formation (RCIA, Adult Faith Formation Team, Bible Study, Children's Faith Formation, catechists), community (Small Christian Communities, Legion of Mary, Italian Catholic Federation, Men's Club, Ladies' Guild), service (St. Vincent de Paul, Feeding the Homeless, Landscaping Ministry), and youth/young adult groups — plus independent organizations including the Knights of Columbus #9714.
- Small Christian Communities (SCC) meet during Lent and Advent for faith sharing
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul — St. Augustine Conference
- St. Augustine Youth Group (SAYG) and Young Adults
- Adult Faith Formation Team (AFFT)
- RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
- Bible Study, Catechists, Children's Faith Formation
- Liturgical Arts, Music Ministry (eight parish choirs)
- Altar Servers, Lectors, EMHC, Sacristans, Hospitality Ministry
- Knights of Columbus #9714, Legion of Mary, Italian Catholic Federation
- Feeding the Homeless, Landscaping Ministry, AugustineTV
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Augustine spans preschool through adult. The parish has run a religious education program since the 1970s in lieu of a parish school; today it offers Children's Faith Formation from 1st grade through high school, a Youth Group and Young Adult Ministry, Adult Faith Formation, RCIA for adults preparing to enter the Church, and ongoing Bible Study.
- Children's Faith Formation (1st grade through high school)
- RCIA — preparation of adult candidates for the sacraments of initiation
- Adult Faith Formation Team (AFFT)
- Bible Study
Service & Outreach
Outreach flows through the parish's St. Vincent de Paul Conference, its Feeding the Homeless ministry, and Knights of Columbus Council #9714. Small Christian Communities also live their faith 'through family, parish and community volunteer services,' with members serving together as groups throughout the year.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul — St. Augustine Conference (contact: Jeunesse Raymundo, [email protected])
- Feeding the Homeless
- Knights of Columbus Council #9714
Music & Liturgy
Music at St. Augustine is anchored by eight parish choirs supporting the weekend and weekday Masses, with a Music Ministry that welcomes new members. The parish's Liturgical Arts ministry visually enhances the sanctuary and other worship areas, working with the liturgical calendar and keeping safety and security in mind.
- Eight parish choirs
- Music Ministry
- Liturgical Arts
Giving & Getting Involved
Parishioners can give online through the parish's Online Giving page, and the parish regularly invites volunteers — its website lists more than thirty ministries and organizations that welcome new members. The parish says: 'God calls us to use our gifts and talents to glorify Him and make life better for other people,' and welcomes new ministry ideas.
- Online Giving
- Volunteer sign-up
- More than thirty ministries and organizations
Contact & Visit
St. Augustine Catholic Church is located at 3700 Callan Blvd in the Westborough neighborhood of South San Francisco, CA 94080. The parish office can be reached at (650) 873-2282 or [email protected], and is also active on Facebook at facebook.com/StAugustineSSF. Masses are livestreamed on the parish's YouTube channel and Facebook page.
- 3700 Callan Blvd, South San Francisco, CA 94080
- Phone: (650) 873-2282
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: facebook.com/StAugustineSSF
- Livestream: YouTube and Facebook
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Paul E. Duggan1970–c.1979
Founding pastor; oversaw early Masses in Ted's Produce and Westborough Junior High School gym; site blessing Feb 15, 1975; church dedicated Dec 14, 1975.
- Fr. Michael J. Keanec.1979–c.1980s
Second pastor; with Associate Pastor Fr. Robert J. Gemmet launched the parish hall and rectory fundraising; groundbreaking Feb 10, 1980; hall/rectory dedicated March 22, 1981.
- Fr. [third pastor, name not given in the published history]
Succeeded Fr. Keane; details not specified in the parish's published history.
- Fr. Eugene Tungolfourth pastor (by 1997 through at least 1999)
Launched 1997 Capital Campaign to expand the church; expansion consecrated by Archbishop Levada on June 2, 2001.