About St. Bartholomew · San Mateo, California
St. Bartholomew Parish is a welcoming and diverse Roman Catholic community in San Mateo, California, part of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of San Francisco. Founded in 1955 on the site previously occupied by the original campus of Junípero Serra High School, the parish today gathers English-speaking and Vietnamese-speaking Catholics for worship at the corner of Alameda de las Pulgas and Columbia Drive. Its mission emphasizes three core values — Worship, Faith Journey, and Service — reflected in a wide range of liturgical, educational, and outreach ministries. The parish is currently led by Pastor Rev. Fr. Paul Arnoult (since March 2023) and Parochial Vicar Rev. Fr. Linh Nguyen.
- Established
- 1955
- Patron
- St. Bartholomew (the Apostle)
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Paul Arnoult
- Diocese
- Metropolitan Archdiocese of San Francisco
Why belong here
St. Bartholomew is a multi-generational, multilingual parish where three core values — Worship, Faith Journey, and Service — are lived out through nearly forty ministries. Whether someone is seeking a vibrant Sunday liturgy in English or Vietnamese, exploring the Catholic faith through RCIA, raising children in a robust faith-formation program, or looking for service opportunities through St. Vincent de Paul, the Knights of Columbus, Martha's Ministry, or the parish food programs, St. Bart's offers an unusually broad and inclusive community. Its identity as a parish without an affiliated school has shaped an unusually strong 'family catechesis' culture in which parents and children grow in faith together.
Mass times at St. Bartholomew
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:15 PM – 4:45 PM (per parish bulletin) / 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM (per mass-times page)
Adoration times
- Friday Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament following the 8:00 AM Mass until Noon, in the Marian Chapel (First Friday of the month only)
Parish History and Origins
The parish was established in 1955 by the Archdiocese of San Francisco on the site of the original Junípero Serra High School campus. Serra had opened there in 1944 with 86 students under Archbishop Mitty; when enrollment outgrew the site, the Archdiocese moved the school to a 12.5-acre property on West 20th Avenue in 1955 and consecrated the original Columbia Drive / Alameda de las Pulgas site as St. Bartholomew Parish. It is now one of the parishes of the Central San Mateo Deanery.
- Founded 1955
- Sits on the former original Junípero Serra High School campus (1944–1955)
- Member parish, Central San Mateo Deanery, Archdiocese of San Francisco
Faith Formation and Religious Education
St. Bartholomew's faith-formation programs serve children from elementary through high school, organized as a family-catechesis model under Director of Religious Education and Youth Ministry Jacob Tolentino. Sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation is a two-year program; older students preparing for initiation join the RCIA-Adapted-for-Children class. Children's Liturgy of the Word is celebrated at Sunday Masses. Tolentino, who has served the parish since 2018 and became coordinator in 2020 after earning a master's in pastoral ministry at Santa Clara University, also runs monthly family nights, retreats, donation drives, Sunday socials, and a once-monthly Family/Youth Mass that brings generations together.
- Elementary Faith Formation (EFF)
- Middle School Faith Formation (MFF)
- Confirmation program (middle school / high school)
- RCIA Adapted for Children
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW)
- Monthly Family Nights in the parish hall
- Monthly Family / Youth Mass
Becoming Catholic — OCIA / RCIA
The parish's Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) program is offered year-round and welcomes adults from any background: those curious about Catholicism, baptized Catholics seeking Confirmation and Eucharist, returning Catholics, and those simply wishing to refresh their faith. The process moves through five phases and is led by coordinator Heather Bernat. Catechumens study Scripture, the Church's traditions, forms of prayer, and meet members of the parish community as they prepare for the Sacraments of Initiation.
- Year-round process, no set length
- Contact: Heather Bernat, [email protected]
- Adapted process for children of catechetical age
Liturgical Ministries
A full complement of lay liturgical ministries supports St. Bartholomew's worship. The parish's Music and Liturgy Director is Maria Shao, and Music Ministers lead the sung liturgy. Other roles include Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors, Greeters, Ushers, Sacristans, Art and Environment caretakers, Altar Linen Care, and Bereavement Ministry volunteers who accompany grieving families.
- Music Ministers (Director: Maria Shao)
- Altar Servers
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Lectors
- Greeters & Ushers
- Sacristans
- Art and Environment / Altar Linen Care
- Bereavement Ministry
Service and Outreach
Service is one of the parish's three core values (Worship, Faith Journey, Service), and the parish supports a substantial outreach network. St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) addresses local poverty; Hunger Sunday gathers food donations; Our Daily Bread feeds the hungry; Martha's Ministry assists parishioners in need; Shelterhouse supports the homeless; Tender Mercies offers comfort to the bereaved and others in crisis; Communion to the Homebound brings the Eucharist to those who cannot attend Mass; and the Knights of Columbus spearheads service and parish-life projects.
- St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP)
- Hunger Sunday
- Our Daily Bread
- Martha's Ministry
- Shelterhouse
- Tender Mercies
- Communion to the Homebound
- Knights of Columbus
- Respect Life Committee
Community Life and Fellowship
Beyond liturgy and service, St. Bartholomew cultivates parish community through groups that nourish the faith and friendships of adults, families, and youth. Women of Grace, Men's Faith Connection, Coffee Talk, Widow & Widower's Social Faith Connection, Rosary Groups, and the Prayer Chain provide formation and fellowship; Welcome Ministry greets newcomers; the Parish Festival and St. Bart's Athletic Association build parish identity; and the Parish Council and Finance Council provide lay governance.
- Women of Grace
- Men's Faith Connection
- Coffee Talk
- Widow & Widower's Social Faith Connection
- Rosary Groups
- Prayer Chain
- Welcome Ministry
- Parish Festival
- St. Bart's Athletic Association (SBAA)
- Parish Council & Finance Council
- Worship Commission
Clergy and Parish Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Fr. Paul Arnoult (assigned by the Archdiocese effective March 1, 2023), with Parochial Vicar Rev. Fr. Linh Nguyen assisting. Rev. Deacon Sal Campagna serves as deacon. Parish Operations is headed by Heather Bernat (also RCIA coordinator) with Delenne Franco as administrative assistant and bulletin editor and Pattie Tangney at reception. Maria Shao directs Music and Liturgy, and Jacob Tolentino directs Religious Education and Youth Ministry. Facilities are maintained by Luis Marcello, Jr.
- Rev. Fr. Paul Arnoult — Pastor ([email protected])
- Rev. Fr. Linh Nguyen — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Deacon Sal Campagna ([email protected])
- Heather Bernat — Parish Operations Manager / RCIA
- Delenne Franco — Administrative Assistant & Bulletin Editor
- Pattie Tangney — Receptionist
- Maria Shao — Music & Liturgy Director
- Jacob Tolentino — Director of Religious Education & Youth Ministry
- Luis Marcello, Jr — Facilities Maintenance
Faith & Blue Mass — Civic Engagement
St. Bartholomew has served as the host parish for the Archdiocese of San Francisco's annual Faith & Blue Mass, an event that gathers faith leaders, law enforcement officers, and civic dignitaries to pray for and honor first responders. The 5th annual Mass, held October 11, 2025, was celebrated by Monsignor John Talesfore (pastor of St. Matthew Parish) with Father Paul Arnoult concelebrating, drawing leaders from across San Mateo County.
- Host parish for the annual Archdiocesan Faith & Blue Mass