About St. Charles Borromeo · San Diego, California
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Parish is a welcoming Catholic community located at 2802 Cadiz Street in the Point Loma / Midway area of San Diego, California. Founded in 1946 by Bishop Charles F. Buddy to serve the spiritual needs of Point Loma residents and families in the nearby government housing projects, the parish sits across from the old Naval Training Center Gate 1. Today the parish is led by Father John Amsberry and runs a thriving TK–8th grade Catholic school (St. Charles Borromeo Academy, est. 1947), an active faith formation program, a youth ministry called The Gathering, and ministries for men, women, and young adults.
- Established
- 1946
- Patron
- St. Charles Borromeo
- Rector
- Reverend John Amsberry
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego
Why belong here
St. Charles Borromeo is a multi-generational Point Loma parish where Sunday Mass is celebrated at 8:00 and 10:00 AM, weekday Mass at 8:00 AM, and faith formation, youth ministry, men's and women's groups, and a thriving K–8 Catholic academy are all under one roof. Father John and his staff welcome newcomers, returning Catholics, and anyone exploring the faith through RCIA, and the parish deliberately keeps small faith 'Share Groups' running so that every parishioner can be actively engaged. With a 1946 founding story rooted in naval-family Point Loma, a robust school, and a calendar of Bible studies, retreats, and service events, it is an easy parish to call home.
Mass times at St. Charles Borromeo
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment only — contact Fr. John via the parish office ([email protected] or 619-225-8157)
Welcome & Parish Mission
The parish's stated mission is to cultivate a welcoming community rooted in love with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and to live in authentic discipleship following the example of Christ. Father John Amsberry extends a personal welcome on the parish website to first-time visitors, returning Catholics, and anyone searching for a parish home: 'We are a community centered on Jesus Christ, growing together through worship, prayer, and service. Wherever you are on your faith journey, there is a place for you here.'
- Mission: welcoming community rooted in love, guided by the Holy Spirit
- Invitation from Fr. John — 'You are invited. You matter. You are loved.'
- Sunday Mass at 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM (English)
Parish History
St. Charles Borromeo Parish was established in 1946 by Bishop Charles F. Buddy. The founding pastor, Msgr. Joseph Trivisonno, was a WWII chaplain to Italian prisoners of war. The original church was dedicated on the patron's feast day, November 4, 1947, after parishioners had worshipped at the Loma Theatre. The school opened the same year with the Daughters of Divine Charity, classrooms had only chairs, and the sisters lived in a Freeman Street house until the 1948 convent was completed. Additional classrooms came in 1951, a fifteen-room rectory in 1955, the present larger church in 1964 (the original becoming the Parish Hall), and a Vatican II-style marble altar in 1968. The parish celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1996.
- Founded 1946 by Bishop Charles F. Buddy
- First Masses held at the Loma Theatre
- Church dedicated November 4, 1947 — feast of St. Charles Borromeo
- New church completed 1964; original converted to Parish Hall
- Vatican II marble altar installed 1968
- 50th anniversary celebrated 1996
St. Charles Borromeo — Patron Saint
St. Charles Borromeo was born into an influential Milanese family on October 2, 1538. Made Cardinal Deacon by his uncle Pope Pius IV at just 22 — before he was even ordained — Charles went on to oversee religious orders, serve as Papal Legate, and play a major role at the Council of Trent. He is best remembered for renewing the parish priesthood and founding seminaries, stamping out ecclesiastical bribery, improving preaching and catechetical instruction, and personally leading relief efforts during plague and famine. He died in Milan on November 3, 1584, was canonized in 1610, and his feast day is November 4. His words still frame the parish: 'Charity is that with which no man is lost, and without which no man is saved.'
- Born October 2, 1538 in Milan; died November 3, 1584
- Made Cardinal Deacon at age 22
- Central figure at the Council of Trent
- Founder of seminaries; renewer of the parish priesthood
- Canonized 1610; feast day November 4
Mass & Sacrament Schedule
Sunday Mass is celebrated in English at 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM. Weekday Mass is at 8:00 AM Monday through Friday, with Monday observed as a Communion Service rather than Mass. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered by appointment — parishioners are instructed to contact Fr. John through the office to arrange a time.
- Sunday: 8:00 AM & 10:00 AM (English)
- Monday–Friday: 8:00 AM Mass; Monday is a Communion Service
- Confession: by appointment only (contact Fr. John)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Charles runs September through May, with classes on the first three Sundays of the month from 9:00–10:00 AM. Registration opens each August. First Holy Communion preparation begins in 1st grade, and the 4th Sunday of each month features a take-home family faith activity. Cheryl serves as Faith Formation Director and is the main point of contact for parents.
- Classes: 1st three Sundays, 9:00–10:00 AM, September–May
- 4th Sunday: take-home family faith activity
- First Communion prep begins in 1st grade
- Director: Cheryl ([email protected])
Confirmation & Youth Ministry — The Gathering
The Gathering is the parish's Catholic youth ministry, offering meetings for both Jr High and High School students. Confirmation is presented as a privilege rather than a requirement — 'what they truly receive in Confirmation is the Holy Spirit.' The 2025–2026 Confirmation year began September 8, 2025 at 6 PM. Confirmation registration for 2026–2027 opens late summer 2026. Weekly High School Youth Group meets Monday 7:00–8:30 PM in the Parish Hall, with Confirmation sessions alternating on Monday evenings. Armando Santos Ponce is the Youth & Young Adult Coordinator; Charmagne Marsala is the Confirmation Coordinator.
- The Gathering — Jr High and High School meetings
- Weekly High School Youth Group: Monday 7:00–8:30 PM, Parish Hall
- Confirmation: alternating Monday evenings 6:00–7:00 PM
- Confirmation Director: Charmagne Marsala
- Youth Coordinator: Armando Santos Ponce
St. Charles Borromeo Academy (School)
St. Charles Borromeo Academy has been serving Point Loma families since 1947 and offers a loving, faith-based community for students from Transitional Kindergarten (TK) through 8th grade. The school is located at 2808 Cadiz Street, nestled between Liberty Station, MCRD, and Loma Portal. As of recent reporting the academy enrolls roughly 243 students with a 19:1 student-teacher ratio and is accredited through the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). Tours can be scheduled by calling 619-223-8271.
- Founded 1947 by the Daughters of Divine Charity
- TK through 8th grade
- Located at 2808 Cadiz Street, San Diego, CA 92110
- Phone: 619-223-8271
- Accredited by NCEA
- Enrollment ~243 students; 19:1 student-teacher ratio
Adult Ministries — Men, Women & Young Adults
The parish maintains a strong small-group culture. The Women's Ministry and Men's Ministry both emphasize Share Groups for spiritual growth; the Men's Ministry hosts an annual retreat (the next announced was Feb 27 – March 1, 2026). The Young Adult Ministry (YAM), for ages 18–39, meets every Thursday at 6:30 PM for Bible study in the Borromeo Room inside the church, supplemented by monthly socials (such as an Ash Wednesday Mass and dinner at Fish Shop in Point Loma) and prayer/service events like rosary-making brunches.
- Women's Ministry — Share Groups
- Men's Ministry — small groups and annual retreat
- Young Adult Ministry (YAM, ages 18–39)
- YAM Bible study: Thursdays 6:30 PM, Borromeo Room
- RCIA for adults — classes begin in the Fall (contact Fr. John)
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for all the major sacraments. Baptisms, First Holy Communion (beginning in 1st grade), Confirmation (high school), Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick are all available. Aly handles initial inquiries for baptism, weddings, First Communion, and similar requests, while the Faith Formation Coordinator assists parents of children needing sacraments. RCIA classes begin each Fall.
- Baptism
- First Holy Communion (1st grade prep)
- Confirmation (high school)
- Marriage / Weddings
- Anointing of the Sick
- RCIA for adults
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Monsignor Joseph Trivisonno1946–1949
Founding pastor; former WWII chaplain to Italian POWs; built streets, church, and school.
- Reverend Edward Johnson1949–1950
- Monsignor Michael Byrne1949–1950
- Monsignor William Bergin1950–1952
- Monsignor William Cooney1952–1954
- Monsignor William Kraft1954–1977
Longest-tenured pastor to that point; oversaw major growth.
- Monsignor Michael Higgins1977–1978
- Monsignor Robert Callahan1979–1986
- Monsignor Thomas McDermott1986–1990
- Reverend Harold Tindall1990–1994
- Reverend Peter Escalante1994–1999
- Reverend Michel Froidurot1999–2001
- Reverend Cavana Wallace2001–2004
- Reverend Gary Holtey2004–2009
- Reverend Edward McNulty2009–2012
- Reverend William Kernan2012–2017
- Reverend Christopher Tozzi2017
- Reverend John Amsberry2017–Present
Current pastor.