About St. Bede · Hayward, California
St. Bede Catholic Church is a diverse, bilingual Roman Catholic parish in southern Hayward, California, belonging to the Diocese of Oakland. The parish was established in 1955 and its church building opened in 1957, named for St. Bede the Venerable, the 8th-century Anglo-Saxon Doctor of the Church and 'Father of English History.' Today it serves a multicultural community with Mass celebrated in English and Spanish, a K-8 parish school (St. Bede Catholic School, opened 1964), an active St. Vincent de Paul conference, a CYO athletics program, and extensive Eucharistic Adoration.
- Established
- 1955
- Patron
- St. Bede the Venerable
- Rector
- Fr. Seamus J. Farrell
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland
Why belong here
St. Bede offers a genuinely multicultural, bilingual Catholic home in southern Hayward, with Sunday Mass in both English and Spanish, weekday Mass every morning, and one of the most extensive Eucharistic Adoration schedules in the area (Monday through Friday in the church, with extended hours on First Friday). The parish pairs that liturgical life with concrete works of mercy — the St. Vincent de Paul conference runs a Saturday food pantry and home visits for neighbors in need — and a parish K-8 school that has shaped local Catholic education since 1964. Active groups for youth (CYO sports), ongoing prayer meetings in English and Spanish, and a pastor who explicitly emphasizes youth discipleship and diversity make it a welcoming fit for young families, Spanish-speaking Catholics, and anyone seeking daily Adoration and frequent Reconciliation.
Mass times at St. Bede
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
- First Friday 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM (upon priest availability)
- Saturday 8:30 AM (upon priest availability)
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM (upon priest availability)
- By appointment with the priest for private confessions
Adoration times
- Monday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (in church)
- Tuesday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (in church)
- Wednesday 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM (in church)
- Thursday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (in church)
- Friday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (in church)
- First Friday 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM (in church, unless otherwise announced)
Parish Identity & Mission
St. Bede Parish describes itself as 'a family within the larger community of God's extended family we call Church, embracing and reflecting all its historical, human and theological experiences.' Its Mission-Vision Statement commits the parish to being 'a community in one Lord, Jesus Christ that acknowledges and embraces the diversity of our parish family,' with a parish leadership that 'encourages every parishioner, especially our youth, to active discipleship.' The two foundational values are worship (love of God) and service (love of neighbor), which the parish teaches are 'so essentially bound together in a union that one is always incomplete without the other.' Pastor Fr. Seamus J. Farrell opens every visitor with this line in his welcome message: 'We are a diverse community, worshipping and working together for the well-being of all.'
- Founded 1955; church dedicated 1957
- Pastoral Vision: worship and service as twin pillars, Jesus Christ as the Cornerstone
- Pastor: Fr. Seamus J. Farrell
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Arturo Bazan
- Bilingual parish life — English and Spanish
History of St. Bede Parish
St. Bede was established in 1955 by the Archdiocese of San Francisco to serve southern Hayward, including the former unincorporated community of Russell City and surrounding hillside neighborhoods. The church was dedicated in 1957, the same year Monsignor George J. Francis was assigned as pastor. When the Diocese of Oakland was created in 1962, St. Bede joined the new diocese. The parish opened its K-8 school in 1964 under the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, and the parish grew through the late 20th century as a hub for Catholic life in the area. After Monsignor Francis's long tenure ended in 1987, the parish transitioned under new leadership and, since at least 2002, has been led by Fr. Seamus J. Farrell, who has guided the parish through a bilingual, multicultural era marked by daily Adoration, a robust St. Vincent de Paul outreach, and a parish school that today serves roughly 195 students K-8.
- 1955 — parish canonically established
- 1957 — church dedicated; Monsignor George J. Francis begins 30-year pastorate
- 1962 — transferred to the newly erected Diocese of Oakland
- 1964 — St. Bede Catholic School opens with Sister Gemma Fisher, SNJM, as founding principal
- 1969 — first eighth-grade class graduates
- 1987 — Monsignor Francis retires (remains in residence)
- 1998 — Monsignor Francis dies (May 4)
- 2002 — public abuse allegations surface; lawsuit filed
- 2004 — $3M civil settlement; Bishop Vigneron's apology service at St. Bede
- Present — Fr. Seamus J. Farrell continues as pastor
Devotions & Prayer Groups
In addition to the Mass and Adoration schedule, St. Bede hosts a weekly Novena to the Santo Niño every Friday at 6:30 PM, an English-language Prayer Group on Tuesday evenings at 8:00 PM, and a Spanish-language Prayer Group on Thursday evenings at 7:00 PM. The parish also livestreams Masses on its Facebook page (subject to the availability of the livestreamer), and a First Saturday Mass is celebrated at 8:00 AM each month.
- Santo Niño Novena — Friday 6:30 PM
- English Prayer Group — Tuesday 8:00 PM
- Spanish Prayer Group — Thursday 7:00 PM
- First Saturday Mass — 8:00 AM
- Livestreamed Masses — facebook.com/stbedehayward
St. Bede Catholic School (K-8)
St. Bede Catholic School (SBCS) opened in the fall of 1964 at 26910 Patrick Avenue, on the same Patrick Avenue campus as the parish church, under founding principal Sister Gemma Fisher, SNJM, of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. The school opened with grades 1–4 and graduated its first eighth-grade class in 1969. For more than 25 years the Holy Names Sisters staffed the school, instilling the core values of Full Development of the Human Person, Education in the Faith, Hospitality, Dedication to Women and Children, Dedication to Justice, Service to People who are Poor and Marginalized, Commitment to Liberating Action, and Love for the Names of Jesus and Mary. Since 1990, lay administrators and teachers have carried on that charism. The school is affiliated with the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) and today serves roughly 195 students in grades K–8, with an Asian-American plurality and a large Hispanic enrollment. One beloved tradition is serving students strawberries and cream each year, dating to May 10, 1868, when the SNJMs were welcomed to San Francisco by the Sisters of Mercy after their long journey from Quebec.
- Opened 1964 — Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary
- Founding principal: Sister Gemma Fisher, SNJM
- First 8th-grade class graduated 1969
- Grades served: K–8
- Current principal: Mrs. Janine Durana (also a 1997 alumna)
- Vice Principal / Learning Support / Technology: Mrs. Jennifer Silva
- Athletic teams: Hornets ('Hornet's Nest' extended care)
- Annual strawberries-and-cream tradition (commemorates SNJMs' 1868 arrival)
- Member: National Catholic Educational Association
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
The parish offers Faith Formation (Religious Education) for parish youth not enrolled in the school, and supports an active Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) for athletics. CYO programs are open to all children within parish boundaries and emphasize that being a student-athlete is a privilege, not an expectation. The CYO Board for the 2025–2026 school year is led by President Tony Valteau, Vice President Jhoanne Tran, Treasurer Jaime Wright, and Secretary Ashley Gonzalez, with Boys Athletic Director Matt Marino and Girls Athletic Directors Vanessa Valteau and Jaime Wright. Parish Rep Andrea Bocanegra connects CYO to the parish leadership.
- CYO Diocese of Oakland sports for boys and girls
- Faith Formation classes (contact parish office)
- CYO Board 2025–2026: Tony Valteau (Pres.), Jhoanne Tran (V.P.), Jaime Wright (Treas.), Ashley Gonzalez (Sec.)
- Boys Athletic Director: Matt Marino
- Girls Athletic Directors: Vanessa Valteau & Jamie Wright
- Parish Rep: Andrea Bocanegra
St. Vincent de Paul Conference — Outreach to the Poor
St. Bede's parish St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) conference is a person-to-person Catholic lay ministry whose members see the face of Christ in those who are suffering. The conference operates a Saturday food pantry at the parish (510-783-6405) and a Visiting Team ministry that brings prayer, presence, and listening to neighbors in need within parish boundaries. The conference takes its inspiration from Frédéric Ozanam's 1833 Paris foundation — the Society of St. Vincent de Paul — now present in more than 150 countries with over 800,000 members. Food Assistance: 510-783-6405. All Other Requests: 510-246-0784.
- Food Assistance line: 510-783-6405
- All Other Requests line: 510-246-0784
- Saturday Food Pantry (volunteer opportunity)
- Visiting Teams (two-person home visits to neighbors in poverty)
- Funded in part by the parish Monthly Collection
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners serve the parish liturgy as altar servers, lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, ushers, choir members, and in other liturgical roles. The parish describes its ministries as 'different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit… different forms of service but the same Lord' (1 Corinthians 12:4-6), and welcomes volunteers who wish to share their time and talent with the community.
- Altar servers
- Lectors
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Ushers / hospitality
- Music / choir
Bulletin, Announcements & Communications
The parish publishes an English-language weekly bulletin and occasional announcements, distributed in printed form and referenced online. Mass intentions are posted weekly (e.g., 'Mass Intentions: Week of June 23, 2024'). The pastor uses the bulletin and weekend Mass announcements to communicate parish changes; an example posted on the website reads, 'The St. Bede Rectory office acknowledged that there is a letter from the Diocese that circulated regarding changes within our parish. We kindly request that everyone remain respectful and allow Father Seamus to make the official announcements this weekend during all Masses (both English and Spanish).' Livestream announcements and Daily Mass schedules are posted on the parish Facebook page.
- Weekly English Bulletin (print and online)
- Mass Intentions posted weekly
- Pastor announcements at all weekend Masses (English and Spanish)
- Livestream schedule on facebook.com/stbedehayward
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Fr. Seamus J. Farrell, who has served St. Bede since at least 2002 and signs every parish welcome. He is assisted by Fr. Arturo Bazan, Parochial Vicar. The 2016–2017 school staff roster also listed Fr. Farrell as Pastor of the school with Mrs. Sue Barton and Mrs. Jocelyn Pierre-Antoine as co-principals and Mr. David Wolf as vice-principal. Today the school is led by Principal Mrs. Janine Durana (herself a Class of 1997 alumna) and Vice Principal / Learning Support / Technology Coordinator Mrs. Jennifer Silva.
- Pastor: Fr. Seamus J. Farrell
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Arturo Bazan
- School Principal: Mrs. Janine Durana
- School Vice Principal: Mrs. Jennifer Silva
- School Secretary: Ms. Ninfa Galindo
- Diocese: Oakland
Visiting St. Bede — Location & Contact
St. Bede Catholic Church is located at 26950 Patrick Avenue, Hayward, CA 94544, on a shared parish-and-school campus in southern Hayward. The parish office phone is (510) 782-2171, and the email is [email protected]. The parish school office phone is (510) 782-3444. Visitors are warmly welcomed at any Mass — the parish website includes bilingual welcome messages — and live-streamed Masses are available on the parish Facebook page. Parking is available on site.
- Address: 26950 Patrick Ave., Hayward, CA 94544
- Parish Phone: (510) 782-2171
- Parish Email: [email protected]
- School Phone: (510) 782-3444
- Website: https://stbedechurchhay.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stbedehayward
- On-site parking
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Monsignor George J. Francis1957–1987 (pastor); 1988–1998 (retired in residence)
Founding long-term pastor. Ordained c. 1938 (Archdiocese of San Francisco); served parishes in San Jose, Oakland, San Francisco and Epiphany before St. Bede. Accused after his death of sexually abusing multiple minors; two women publicly identified in 2002; one (Jennifer Chapin) received a $3 million civil settlement in 2004. Died May 4, 1998.
- Fr. Arthur (Arturo) A. Ribeiro1965 (brief assignment)
Diocesan priest ordained 1950; assigned to St. Bede in 1965 before moving to other parishes. Later publicly named by the Diocese of Oakland in July 2004 as credibly accused of child sexual abuse; died in 2000.
- Fr. Seamus J. Farrell2002–present
Current pastor. Listed as pastor of St. Bede in the November 2002 Daily Review coverage and continues to sign the pastor's message on the parish website in 2024–2025. Served alongside Fr. Arturo Bazan, Parochial Vicar.