About St. Catherine of Siena · Vallejo, California
St. Catherine of Siena Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in east Vallejo, California, belonging to the Diocese of Sacramento. Founded in 1964, it is named after the Italian Dominican Doctor of the Church, St. Catherine of Siena, and currently serves a large and diverse community with Masses in both English and Spanish. The parish operates an elementary school and preschool, runs a wide range of lay ministries, and is currently staffed by the Mission Society of the Philippines (MSP) clergy. The current church, completed in 1991, can seat up to 722 people.
- Established
- 1964
- Patron
- St. Catherine of Siena
- Rector
- Rev. Glenn G.B. Jaron, MSP
- Diocese
- Diocese of Sacramento
Why belong here
St. Catherine of Siena is a welcoming, bilingual (English and Spanish) parish with one of the most extensive Mass schedules in the area, including a daily 7:45 AM Mass, an evening Mass Monday through Friday, four Sunday Masses in English, and a Spanish Mass every Sunday at 3:00 PM. The parish combines a thriving Catholic elementary school and preschool, an active Catholic Youth Ministry and Young Adult Ministry, and a strong commitment to outreach through St. Vincent de Paul and the Mensa Christi homeless feeding ministry. Confession is offered three times a week and there is an active RCIA program for adults and adapted RCIA for children — making it a full parish home for families, students, young adults, and newcomers to the faith.
Mass times at St. Catherine of Siena
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 5:00 – 5:45 PM
- 1st Friday: 5:00 – 5:45 PM
- Saturday: 4:00 – 4:45 PM
- Or by appointment — contact the parish office
Parish History
St. Catherine of Siena Parish was established in the late summer of 1964 when a local family donated a four-acre property on Maple Street, which was later traded for the present ten-acre Tennessee Street campus. The first pastor, Father Vincent Lyons, celebrated daily Masses in parishioners' homes until the first church was completed in December 1965. By the late 1980s, growth in east Vallejo prompted the building of the present 722-seat church, dedicated on November 23, 1991 by Bishop Francis Quinn. The parish school opened in 1985, the preschool in 2011, and the parish celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2014.
- Parish established: late summer 1964
- First Sunday Mass: October 8, 1964 at Kentwig Gym
- Original church completed: December 1965; first Mass December 19, 1965
- School opened: September 2, 1985 (under Fr. Colm O'Kelly)
- Present church dedicated: November 23, 1991 (Bishop Francis Quinn)
- Preschool opened: September 2011 (under Fr. Jesus Soriano)
- 50th Anniversary: 2014
Clergy
The parish is currently served by priests of the Mission Society of the Philippines (MSP). The pastor is Rev. Glenn G.B. Jaron, MSP, with Rev. Jose Estaniel, MSP serving as Parochial Vicar. Four permanent deacons assist in ministry. Fr. Jesus Soriano, a long-serving former pastor, is Pastor Emeritus.
- Pastor: Rev. Glenn G.B. Jaron, MSP
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Jose Estaniel, MSP
- Deacon: Dcn. Alejandro Madero (415-871-6420)
- Deacon: Dcn. Juan Moreno
- Deacon: Dcn. Renato Peregrino
- Deacon: Dcn. Dennis Purificacion
- Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Jesus Soriano
Past Clergy — A Succession of Shepherds
The parish's 'Past Clergy' page lists every pastor and parochial vicar who has served St. Catherine's since 1964. From founding pastor Father Vincent Lyons (1964–1968) through today's MSP administration under Father Glenn Jaron (2019–present), the parish has been shepherded by diocesan and religious-order priests. Fr. Colm O'Kelly's 15-year tenure (1979–1994) is the longest on record, during which the parish school was founded and the current church was planned.
- 1964–1968: Fr. Vincent Lyons (with Fr. Patrick Rohan)
- 1968–1973: Fr. William J. McLaughlin
- 1974–1978: Fr. Daniel Cullinan
- 1979–1994: Fr. Colm O'Kelly (15 years — opened the school in 1985)
- 1995: Fr. Abraham Alonzo (Parochial Administrator)
- 1995–2003: Fr. William P. Kinane
- 2003–2014: Fr. Jesus 'Jess' Soriano (opened the preschool in 2011)
- 2014–2018: Fr. Restituto 'Resti' Galang, MSP & Fr. Glenn Jaron, MSP (Administrators)
- 2019–present: Fr. Glenn Jaron, MSP (Pastor)
St. Catherine of Siena School
St. Catherine of Siena Preschool and Elementary School is a parish school serving preschool through 8th grade, 'built on a foundation of Catholic values' and dedicated to the educational and spiritual growth of the whole child. The school exists as an extension of the family, where students, parents, and teachers work together to enrich the parish community, develop students spiritually and academically, and form them to be 'respectful and responsible contributors to the Church and the world.' Sacrament preparation for First Communion begins in 2nd grade, and 1st-year Confirmation preparation begins in 8th grade.
- Levels: Preschool through 8th grade
- Principal: Hydie Hess (SCS Class of '04)
- School Office: 3460 Tennessee St., Vallejo, CA 94591 — Phone: 707-643-6691
- School Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:15 AM–3:00 PM
- Preschool Address: 470 Avian Drive, Vallejo, CA 94591 — Phone: 707-642-1253
- Other offerings: AM/PM Extension, Diocesan Religion & Academic Decathlons, Music/Choir, Athletics
Religious Education & Sacramental Preparation
The Religious Education Program partners with parents in the faith formation of children who do not attend the parish school, ages 6–17. Classes run from September through May, and sacramental preparation requires a minimum attendance of two consecutive years. The parish also offers the Order of Christian Initiation (OCIA, formerly RCIA) for adults and an adapted OCIA for children ages 7–17 who were not baptized as infants. Coordinator is Lucille Natividad ([email protected]).
- Religious Education Coordinator: Lucille Natividad
- Confirmation Coordinators: Fred and Annabelle Castro
- Registration dates: Monday, June 15 – Friday, September 19
- Classes begin Monday, September 15, 2025 (with mandatory orientation)
- First Holy Communion: 2-year program
- Confirmation: 1st & 2nd year program
- OCIA adapted for Children: ages 7–17 (contact Dcn. Juan Moreno, [email protected])
- Registration Fee: $90 per student ($75 each additional sibling)
Becoming Catholic (RCIA / OCIA)
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the formal entry point for adults 18 and older who want to learn more about the Catholic faith, with the goal of receiving the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. There is also an RCIA adapted for Children for ages 7–17. Classes are taught by the parish deacons and volunteers and run September through Easter Vigil, 9:00 to 11:30 AM at the Parish Life Center; students attend the 10:00 AM Mass and are dismissed after the homily to resume class.
- Open to adults 18+ and youth 7–17
- Process runs September through Easter Vigil
- Class time: Sundays 9:00–11:30 AM at the Parish Life Center
- Students attend 10:00 AM Mass and are dismissed after the homily
- Taught by parish deacons and volunteers
Parish Ministries & Outreach
St. Catherine's runs a robust parish ministry program for youth, young adults, and adults, with a strong emphasis on service to the broader Vallejo community. The parish's social-justice ministries include St. Vincent de Paul, which collects canned goods at Mass for those in need, and Mensa Christi, a homeless-feeding outreach ministry that prepares and distributes hot meals directly to homeless encampments in Vallejo.
- Catholic Youth Ministry (CYM) — fellowship and service for parish youth
- Young Adult Ministry (YAM) — for ages 18–39, married and single
- St. Vincent de Paul — canned-goods collection and direct service
- Mensa Christi (Table of Christ) — homeless feeding outreach in Vallejo
- Legion of Mary — lay apostolic organization devoted to sanctification of members and service
Parish Office & Contact
The parish office is located on the 2nd Floor of the Parish Life Center at 3450 Tennessee Street, Vallejo, CA 94591. Office hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and Tuesday from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM. In addition to the main line, a parish cell phone is available for calls or texts at 707-805-4234. An after-hours emergency line for anointing of the sick is 707-567-9500. The MyParish App gives parishioners mobile access to Mass schedules, bulletins, and Mass readings.
- Main Phone: (707) 553-1355
- Email: [email protected]
- Parish cell: 707-805-4234 (call or text)
- Anointing of the Sick (after hours): (707) 567-9500
- Office Hours: Mon, Wed–Fri 9:00 AM–4:30 PM; Tue 10:00 AM–4:30 PM
- MyParish App: search 'St. Catherine of Siena, Vallejo, CA'
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Vincent Lyons1964–1968
First pastor of the parish; celebrated first daily Masses at a parishioner's home and the first Sunday Mass at Kentwig Gym.
- Fr. William J. McLaughlin1968–1973
Associate Pastors: Fr. James Moroney, Fr. Sean Anderson.
- Fr. Daniel Cullinan1974–1978
Associate: Fr. Sean Carrigy.
- Fr. Colm O'Kelly1979–1994
Opened the parish school in 1985 and oversaw planning for the current larger church.
- Fr. Abraham Alonzo1995
Parochial Administrator; Administrator Pro Tempore: Fr. Michael J. Cormack.
- Fr. William P. Kinane1995–2003
Parochial Vicars: Fr. Jesus Soriano, Fr. Bernard Tape.
- Fr. Jesus 'Jess' Soriano (with Fr. Stephen Olario)2003–2014
Opened the parish preschool across the street in 2011. Later named Pastor Emeritus.
- Fr. Restituto 'Resti' Galang, MSP2014–2015
Parochial Administrator; first MSP leadership of the parish.
- Fr. Glenn Jaron, MSP2015–2016
Parochial Administrator; later named Pastor.
- Fr. Restituto 'Resti' Galang, MSP2016–2018
Parochial Administrator.
- Fr. Glenn Jaron, MSP2019–present
Pastor; currently leads the parish with Parochial Vicar Fr. Jose Estaniel, MSP.