About St. Clare · Santa Clara, California
St. Clare Parish is an ethnically diverse Roman Catholic community in Santa Clara, California, belonging to the Diocese of San Jose. Tracing its roots to the founding of Mission Santa Clara de Asís in 1777 by Franciscan Fathers Tomás de la Peña and José Antonio de Murguía, the parish was constituted in 1925 to take over the parochial functions of the burned-down mission and was built one block west of the mission on Lexington Street. Today it serves worshippers in English, Portuguese, Spanish, Cantonese, and Mandarin, reflecting Santa Clara's immigrant heritage, and is paired with Saint Clare School, a TK–8 Catholic elementary school founded in 1856 next door to the church.
- Established
- 1777
- Patron
- Saint Clare of Assisi
- Rector
- Father Mendie Nguyen
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of San Jose
Why belong here
St. Clare is one of the oldest Catholic parishes on the West Coast, with a continuous worshipping community stretching back to Mission Santa Clara in 1777. Today it is one of the few parishes in the region offering Mass in English, Portuguese, Spanish, Cantonese, and Mandarin each week, alongside a full sacramental and faith-formation program, an on-site TK–8 Catholic school, and active ministries ranging from the Legion of Mary and Knights of Columbus to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, RCIA, youth ministry, and a thriving Hispanic and Portuguese community — making it a natural spiritual home for longtime Santa Clara families and newcomers alike.
Mass times at St. Clare
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–3:30 PM
- *Additional 10:30 AM confession on 'festa' Sundays (per the diocesan listing)
Parish Identity & Mission
Saint Clare of Assisi Parish describes itself as an ethnically diverse Catholic community of faith, united in worship, discipleship and service, welcoming immigrants, newcomers, and strangers as it strives 'to be the face of Christ, becoming a sign of unity and an instrument of God's peace in the world.' The parish traces its roots to the founding of Mission Santa Clara in 1777 and is preparing for its 250th anniversary and the Jubilee Year of Saint Francis.
- Patron: Saint Clare of Assisi (feast day August 11)
- Diocese: Roman Catholic Diocese of San Jose
- Mission statement: an ethnically diverse Catholic community united in worship, discipleship, and service, welcoming immigrants and newcomers
- Approaching 250th anniversary (2027) and Jubilee Year of Saint Francis
History & Heritage
The parish community descends directly from Mission Santa Clara de Asís, the eighth California mission, founded January 12, 1777, by Franciscan Fathers Tomás de la Peña and José Antonio de Murguía. The Jesuits took pastoral charge of the mission in 1851 and began Saint Clare School in 1856. After the mission burned in 1925, Archbishop Edward Hanna transferred parochial functions to a new church built by Father George Bulter one block west on Lexington Street; that church was dedicated August 15, 1926 with a procession carrying a statue of the Blessed Mother from Rome. The 200th anniversary was celebrated in 1977 with Mass by Archbishop Joseph McGucken.
- 1777 – Mission Santa Clara de Asís founded by Franciscans
- 1851 – Jesuits take pastoral guidance of the mission
- 1856 – Saint Clare School founded next door
- 1925 – Mission burns; new St. Clare Church built by Father George Bulter on Lexington Street
- 1926 – Church dedicated August 15 with the procession of the Roman statue of the Blessed Mother
- 1977 – 200th anniversary Mass officiated by Archbishop Joseph McGucken
- Historical marker placed by Santa Clara City Historical and Landmarks Commission marking this as the sixth parish church site since 1777
Mass & Worship Schedule
St. Clare offers one of the most multilingual Sunday schedules in the Diocese of San Jose, with seven Sunday Masses in five languages, plus a daily 8:00 AM Mass Monday through Saturday. A vigil Mass is celebrated Saturday at 5:00 PM in English, and a single 9:00 AM English Mass is offered on holidays.
- Sunday 7:30 AM – English
- Sunday 9:00 AM – Portuguese
- Sunday 10:30 AM – English (with Children's Liturgy of the Word)
- Sunday 12:00 PM – Spanish (with Children's Liturgy of the Word)
- Sunday 1:30 PM – Cantonese
- Sunday 3:00 PM – Mandarin
- Sunday 4:30 PM – Mandarin (Chinese Youth Mass)
- Monday–Saturday 8:00 AM – English
- Saturday 5:00 PM – English (vigil)
- Holidays 9:00 AM – English
Clergy & Staff
Pastoral leadership is provided by the pastor and parochial vicar, supported by an administrative assistant, the parish-school principal, a music coordinator, directors of catechetical ministries, Hispanic ministry, confirmation, youth ministry, and the RCIA coordinator.
- Pastor: Rev. Msgr. Francis V. Cilia ([email protected], 669-270-2700)
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Msgr. Francisco Rios ([email protected], 669-270-2701)
- Administrative Assistant (Linda Ortiz Brisuela)
- Principal, Saint Clare Parish School: John Ravizza
- Music Coordinator: Christopher Wemp
- Director of Catechetical Ministries & Hispanic Ministry Coordinator: Sandra Quintanilla ([email protected], 669-270-2702)
- Confirmation Director & Director of Youth Ministry: Diane Madruga
- RCIA Coordinator: Ryan Bao ([email protected], 669-270-2708)
Pastoral Transition (2025)
On the Third Sunday of Easter 2025, Msgr. Francis V. Cilia announced that he had been appointed pastor of the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph, effective July 1, having come to St. Clare in 2020 during the pandemic. Father Mendie Nguyen, currently parochial vicar at Saint Catherine in Morgan Hill (where he and Msgr. Francisco previously served together), was named as the new pastor as the parish prepares for its 250th anniversary.
- Msgr. Cilia's tenure: 2020–2025 (six-year minimum commitment, pandemic arrival)
- New assignment: Pastor of the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph, effective July 1, 2025
- Incoming pastor: Father Mendie Nguyen (from Saint Catherine, Morgan Hill)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Children's Faith Formation serves students in Transitional Kindergarten through 7th grade, running October through May each year, with a two-year preparation track for First Reconciliation and First Holy Eucharist. Children over the age of seven who have not been baptized participate through the Rite of Christian Initiation adapted for Children. Classes meet on Sundays, with families expected to attend Mass together regularly.
- TK–7th grade faith formation program (English and Spanish sessions)
- Two-year First Reconciliation and First Eucharist preparation
- RCIC for unbaptized children over age 7
- Family and parent participation requirements
- Annual fee: $150 per new child, $75 per returning child (payable via PayPal, Venmo, cash, or check)
- Contact: Sandra Quintanilla, [email protected]
Sacraments & Sacramental Preparation
The parish prepares the faithful for and celebrates the full range of Catholic sacraments, including Baptism (for infants and children), First Reconciliation and First Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and the Rites of Christian Initiation for both adults (RCIA) and children (RCIC). Emergency anointings for the sick or dying can be requested through the parish emergency line.
- Baptism of Infants and Children
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist (two-year preparation)
- Confirmation
- Marriage — contact parish office
- Anointing of the Sick — emergency line 408-248-7786, dial 9
- RCIA and RCIC for the unbaptized
Youth Ministry & Confirmation
St. Clare maintains an active youth ministry program coordinated by the Director of Youth Ministry, who also serves as the Confirmation Director. The program accompanies young people through the immediate and ongoing formation needed for the sacrament of Confirmation and beyond.
- Confirmation preparation and celebration
- Year-round youth ministry (Director of Youth Ministry)
- Liturgy of the Word for Children at the 10:30 AM English and 12:00 PM Spanish Masses
- Special Chinese Youth Mass in Mandarin on Sundays at 4:30 PM
Parish Life & Community Groups
Beyond worship, the parish is home to cultural and devotional communities serving its diverse population — including a long-standing Portuguese community, a Hispanic Community, the Legion of Mary, the Knights of Columbus, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, the Serra Club, the Young Ladies Institute, and a Peace and Justice Committee — alongside consultative bodies such as the Parish Pastoral Council and Finance Council.
- Portuguese Community and Hispanic Community (cultural groups)
- Knights of Columbus
- Legion of Mary
- Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (parish conference, 408-645-0506)
- The Serra Club (vocations)
- Young Ladies Institute (YLI)
- Peace and Justice Committee
- Parish Pastoral Council
- Finance Council
Liturgical Ministries & Music
Parishioners are invited to serve at the altar and in the liturgy as altar servers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, lectors, hospitality ministers, Liturgy of the Word leaders for children, and liturgical musicians, under the direction of the parish Music Coordinator.
- Altar Servers
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Lectors
- Hospitality (ushers and greeters)
- Liturgy of the Word for Children
- Liturgical Music (Music Coordinator: Christopher Wemp)
Saint Clare School
Founded in 1856 to educate the children of Mission Santa Clara, Saint Clare School continues today as a parish-supported Catholic elementary school offering Transitional Kindergarten through 8th grade on the grounds adjacent to the church. The school markets itself as 'Forming Hearts and Minds Since 1856' and welcomes families through an application process managed via the TADS system.
- Founded 1856 — one of the oldest Catholic schools in California
- TK through 8th grade
- Application through TADS with $60 application fee and 10% tuition deposit
- Strong spiritual and academic foundation in the Catholic tradition
- Website: www.stclare.school
Outreach & Charity
St. Clare's outreach is anchored by its local conference of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (408-645-0506), which serves neighbors in need across Santa Clara. The Peace and Justice Committee complements this corporal works apostolate with broader social-justice formation and action.
- Society of Saint Vincent de Paul — parish conference (408-645-0506)
- Peace and Justice Committee
- Knights of Columbus charitable works
Visit, Contact & Live Stream
Parishioners and visitors can attend Mass in person or join via live stream from the parish website. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (closed 12–1 PM), with the office closed on Fridays. The parish bulletin is published regularly as a flippable PDF online.
- Live-streamed Mass via www.stclareparish.org
- Office: 725 Washington Street, Santa Clara, CA 95050-4935
- Phone: (408) 248-7786 | Fax: (408) 248-8150
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 9 AM–4 PM (closed noon–1 PM); closed Fridays
- Weekly bulletin published online as a flippable PDF
- Saint Vincent de Paul helpline: (408) 645-0506
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father George Bulter1925–1926 (built the new church)
Commissioned the statue of the Blessed Mother from Rome; the church was dedicated August 15, 1926.
- Father Tomas de la Peña, O.F.M.1777–
Franciscan co-founder of Mission Santa Clara de Asís alongside Father José Antonio de Murguía; original pastor of the parish community that became St. Clare.
- Rev. Msgr. Francis V. Cilia2020–2025
Arrived during the pandemic; expressed goal of leaving the parish better than he found it; reassigned as pastor of the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph effective July 1, 2025.