About St. Elizabeth · Milpitas, California
Saint Elizabeth of Portugal Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Milpitas, California, belonging to the Diocese of San José. The parish was established on June 10, 1968 to serve the growing Catholic population of Milpitas and northeast San Jose, and it worships at 750 Sequoia Drive on a 12-acre site. It is one of the most linguistically diverse parishes in the diocese, celebrating Mass in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Tagalog/Ilocano, and serves roughly 1,200+ registered families. Its current pastor, Very Reverend Andres 'Andy' C. Ligot, J.C.D., also serves as Vicar General and Chancellor of the Diocese of San José.
- Established
- 1968
- Patron
- Saint Elizabeth of Portugal
- Rector
- Very Reverend Andres 'Andy' C. Ligot, J.C.D.
- Diocese
- Diocese of San José
Why belong here
Saint Elizabeth of Portugal is one of the most multicultural parishes in the Diocese of San José, with Mass celebrated in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Filipino — and ministry, formation, and outreach organized in each of those languages. Whether a family is looking for faith formation for their children, RCIA for adults, youth ministry, a Knights of Columbus council, a Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement (TNTT-TDV), or one of several Legion of Mary praesidia, the parish offers a way to belong. The community is built on the principle that 'everyone's gift of time, talent, and treasure' sustains both the church and its many charitable works, from St. Vincent de Paul to the Homebound and Bereavement ministries.
Mass times at St. Elizabeth
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- After the Saturday 8:30 AM Mass — no appointment needed
- By appointment during weekdays
- After any Mass if the priest is available
Adoration times
- Friday 9:00 – 11:00 AM
- Friday 7:00 – 7:30 PM
Parish History
Saint Elizabeth of Portugal Parish was established on June 10, 1968 as the second Catholic parish in Milpitas, born from the overflow of St. John the Baptist Parish (founded 1877) which had grown to roughly 2,400 Catholic families. The new parish of about 1,200 families first gathered in a rented storefront at the Fiesta Shopping Plaza in September 1968, and within months the Building and Financial Committee had selected architects Fred T. Houweling and Robert W. Hagman to design a multipurpose church on a 12-acre Sequoia Drive site. Freitas Construction Company broke ground December 18, 1969, and just 185 days later — on October 4, 1970 — the first Mass was celebrated in the new structure, with parishioner volunteer labor saving an estimated $14,000. The parish has continued to invest in its facilities with stained-glass windows, statues of Our Lady of La Vang, Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Elizabeth of Portugal, and a new altar and processional furnishings.
- Established June 10, 1968 — second Catholic parish in Milpitas
- Originally worshipped at Fiesta Shopping Plaza starting September 1968
- Current church on 12-acre site at 750 Sequoia Drive
- Ground broken December 18, 1969; first Mass October 4, 1970
- Architects: Fred T. Houweling & Robert W. Hagman
- Builder: Freitas Construction Company
Pastor and Pastoral Leadership
The Very Reverend Andres 'Andy' C. Ligot, J.C.D., has served as Pastor of St. Elizabeth of Portugal Parish since 2021 and concurrently as Vicar General and Chancellor of the Diocese of San José since 2023. Born November 30, 1965 in Laoag City, Philippines, he was ordained a priest on June 14, 1992 at St. Peter's Basilica by Pope St. John Paul II for the Diocese of Laoag. He holds a B.A. in Philosophy from San Pablo College Seminary (Baguio, 1986), M.A. coursework in Philosophy from the University of Santo Tomas (Manila, 1988), and an M.A. in Sacred Theology, J.C.L., and J.C.D. from the University of Navarra (1992, 1997, 1999). In the Diocese of San José he has served as Parochial Vicar at St. John Vianney (2003–2005), Pastor at St. Lawrence the Martyr (2005–2009), Judicial Vicar (2008–2021), and Pastor at St. Elizabeth of Portugal (2021–present). He ministers in English, Spanish, Tagalog, and Ilocano. He is assisted by Parochial Vicar Fr. Thuc Si Ho and Deacon Sam Milan.
- Pastor: Very Rev. Andres C. Ligot, J.C.D. (2021–present)
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Thuc Si Ho
- Deacon: Sam Milan
- Business Manager: Jasmine Deepa Fernando
- Admin Assistant: Rio Schaub
- Liturgy Coordinator: Mary Hope Ruiz
- Youth Ministry Coordinator: Christi Bradford
- English Catechetical Coordinator: Sr. Theresa Doan
- Vietnamese Catechetical Coordinator: Sr. Anna Nguyen
- Spanish Catechetical Coordinator: Ana Maria Chavolla
Faith Formation (Religious Education)
The parish runs a full Catechetical Ministry in three languages — English (coordinated by Sr. Theresa Doan), Vietnamese (Sr. Anna Nguyen), and Spanish (Ana Maria Chavolla) — with classes for grades 1 through 8 on Tuesdays. The program includes Basic Faith (grades 1–2), Continuing Class, and a two-year First Communion track (grades 2–4). Registration forms are available on the parish website in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
- Basic Faith (BF) — Grades 1 & 2
- Continuing Class (CC) — Grades 3–8
- First Communion (FC) — two-year track, Grades 2–4
- Teen Program / Confirmation preparation
- Registration forms available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese
OCIA / RCIA
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA / RCIA) welcomes unbaptized adults, teenagers, and children age 7 and above, as well as baptized Christians preparing for full communion with the Catholic Church. The process is led by a team of parishioners and includes weekly meetings, formation in Scripture and Church teaching, liturgical rites marking each stage, and the celebration of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. Separate coordinators serve English, Spanish, and Vietnamese candidates.
- English Coordinator: Rosalio Haro
- Spanish Coordinator: Oscar Leon
- Vietnamese Coordinator: Thuy Tran Nguyen
Youth Ministry and Confirmation
Youth Ministry at St. Elizabeth is coordinated by Christi Bradford and prepares teens for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Through Confirmation, candidates receive a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit that strengthens them to witness Christ in every aspect of their daily lives. The Teen Program also feeds into the broader Confirmation process that includes parish-wide formation.
- Youth Ministry Coordinator: Christi Bradford
- Teen Program — Confirmation preparation
- Confirmation Coordinator: Christi Bradford
Parish Ministries and Groups
St. Elizabeth supports an unusually broad range of parish ministries reflecting its multilingual and multicultural community. Liturgical ministries include altar serving (English, Spanish, Vietnamese), sacristans, liturgical music, and Arts & Environment. Communal and devotional groups include the Knights of Columbus, three Legion of Mary praesidia (Queen of the Rosary in English, La Vang and Full of Grace in Vietnamese), Third Order Carmelites, Third Order Dominicans, Couples for Christ, Cursillo, the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement (TNTT-TDV), St. Monica's Group, the Grupo de Oración, and the Jóvenes Para Cristo youth group. Outreach ministries include the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Homebound Ministry, and Bereavement Ministry.
- Liturgical: Altar Servers, Sacristans, Liturgy Coordinator, Music Ministry, Arts & Environment, Media Communication
- Fraternal / Devotional: Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary (3 praesidia), Third Order Carmelites, Third Order Dominicans, Couples for Christ, Cursillo
- Cultural: Hispanic Ministry, Vietnamese Ministry, Filipino Ministry, Grupo de Oración, Jóvenes Para Cristo, TNTT-TDV
- Outreach: St. Vincent de Paul Society, Homebound Ministry, Bereavement Ministry, St. Monica's Group
Pastoral Council and Governance
The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) is comprised of 12 parishioners plus the pastor and advises on pastoral planning, programs, and services. The pastor presides over the Council, has final approval of recommendations, and meets with the Council every third Thursday from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in the Parish Ministry Center. The parish also maintains a Finance Council (chaired by Oscar Leon) and a Stewardship Council.
- Pastoral Council Chairperson: Joseph Thu Huynh
- Pastor presides — Very Rev. Andres C. Ligot
- Meets 3rd Thursday, 7:00–8:30 PM in Parish Ministry Center
- Council Members: Cecile Nga Nguyen, Paolo Rico Sioco, Rosita Ecura, Diane Bayona, Amudhan Manickaraj, Carlos Chavez, George Sanchez, Andrew B. Dyson Jr, Sathish Thurai, Richie Le, Jinky Peralta
- Finance Council Chair: Oscar Leon
Contact and Visit
Saint Elizabeth of Portugal Parish is located at 750 Sequoia Drive, Milpitas, CA 95035. The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 to 5:00 PM. The main office line is (408) 262-8100 with fax (408) 946-8703, and an emergency sacramental line is staffed at (669) 699-8741. Email: [email protected].
- Address: 750 Sequoia Dr, Milpitas, CA 95035
- Phone: (408) 262-8100 | Fax: (408) 946-8703
- Emergency: (669) 699-8741
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00–5:00 PM