About St. Frances Cabrini · San Jose, California
St. Frances Cabrini Parish is a Roman Catholic parish serving the Cambrian neighborhood of San Jose, California, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Jose. Canonically established on June 25, 1955, the parish grew rapidly from 325 founding families and dedicated its present church in December 1963, named for St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first American citizen to be canonized. Today the parish shares a campus on Woodard Road with Saint Frances Cabrini Catholic School (founded 1961) and ministers through a wide range of liturgical, faith formation, youth, and outreach programs. Its mission statement — "Worship God. Love Others. Make Disciples. Educate the Young." — anchors a parish that celebrates Mass in English, Vietnamese, and an Assyrian Bilingual Mass.
- Established
- 1955
- Patron
- Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini (Mother Cabrini), MSC — foundress of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the first American citizen to be canonized by the Roman Catholic Church
- Rector
- Rev. James Okafor
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of San Jose (originally part of the Archdiocese of San Francisco)
Why belong here
St. Frances Cabrini is a large, multigenerational parish in the Cambrian neighborhood of San Jose that offers something for every stage of Catholic life — daily and Sunday Mass in English, Vietnamese, and an Assyrian bilingual Mass, a school serving about 620 students, faith formation for grades 3–7, OCIA and OCIC for adults and older children, a youth ministry for grades 6–12, and a young adult fellowship. With active ministries like the Men's Club, Ladies League, Marriage Enrichment, Bible Study, Intercessory Prayer, Hospitality, Altar Servers, Social & Outreach, and a parish-run Food Pantry, there are many practical ways to serve — and a Divine Mercy Adoration Chapel open daily from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM for prayer.
Mass times at St. Frances Cabrini
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM (in the confessional)
- Sunday 11:00 AM (in the confessional)
- First Friday of each month — after the 8:30 AM Mass
- First Saturday of each month — after the 8:30 AM Mass
Adoration times
- Divine Mercy Adoration Chapel — open daily, 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- First Friday — Community Adoration and Benediction, 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM (after the 8:30 AM Mass)
Parish History
St. Frances Cabrini Parish was canonically established on June 25, 1955. Reverend Robert G. Essig was installed as the first pastor on July 3, 1955. The 9.0-acre property on Woodard Road was acquired by the Archdiocese of San Francisco in 1953 for $22,500. The parish grew rapidly: the first Mass was offered at St. Lucy's School on July 10, 1955, then moved to a converted Red Barn storage shed in September 1955, then to a temporary church-hall building on December 16, 1956 that seated 1,000. The first parish school and convent were completed in August 1960 for $253,000, and the present permanent church was completed December 30, 1963 for $324,370, dedicated by Archbishop Joseph T. McGuckin on March 15, 1964. In 1963, 360 families were carved off to form the new Holy Spirit Parish. For more on the parish's history and archives, the parish asks visitors to email [email protected].
- Founded: June 25, 1955
- First Pastor: Rev. Robert G. Essig (installed July 3, 1955)
- First Mass: July 10, 1955 at St. Lucy's School
- Red Barn chapel: September 25, 1955
- Temporary church-hall: December 16, 1956 (1,000 seats)
- School and convent: August 1960 ($253,000)
- Present church completed: December 30, 1963 ($324,370)
- Dedication: March 15, 1964 by Archbishop Joseph T. McGuckin
- Architect: George Steuer (San Leandro)
- Builder: Anthony Morsilli, Inc. (Hayward)
- Artist/Designer: Angelo Lanzini (San Mateo)
- Stained glass: John Hogan (Los Gatos), 88 windows
Saint Frances Cabrini (the Patron)
The parish is named for Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, MSC — foundress of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the first American citizen to be canonized by the Roman Catholic Church. Her feast day is celebrated each year at the parish with special activities and quotes shared on social media. Her life of missionary service to immigrants, the poor, the sick, and children inspired the parish's mission to 'Worship God. Love Others. Make Disciples. Educate the Young.'
- Patron: St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, MSC
- First American citizen canonized by the Roman Catholic Church
- Foundress of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Feast Day: November 22
Saint Frances Cabrini Catholic School
Saint Frances Cabrini Catholic School shares the parish campus at 15325 Woodard Road and provides an academic and faith-centered curriculum rooted in the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. Founded in 1961, the school currently enrolls about 620 students from 420 families. Parents, faculty, staff, and clergy work together as a community to educate, practice, and model Gospel values. The school's website is sfcschool.org; the parent portal is SchoolSpeak.com.
- Year Founded: 1961
- Current Enrollment: 620 students from 420 families
- Principal: Ronda Clark — (408) 377-6545 ext. 3058
- Vice Principal: Laura Breiten — (408) 377-6545 ext. 3057
- Office Manager: Susan Porria — (408) 377-6545 ext. 3001
- Address: 15325 Woodard Road, San Jose, CA 95124
- Phone: (408) 377-6545; Fax: (408) 377-8491
- Website: sfcschool.org
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's Department of Religious Education (the Catechetical Ministry) facilitates lifelong formation in the Catholic faith. Ongoing Faith Formation classes for children are held on Sundays from 11:15 AM to 12:45 PM in the Parish Center, from the last week of September through the last week of April. Registration is open year-round for grades 3 to 7 on a first-come, first-served basis. A suggested donation of $100 per child covers books and program materials. The program prepares children for the Sacraments of First Eucharist and Confirmation; students in 7th grade or higher who completed Faith Formation in the prior year are eligible for Confirmation preparation. The parish also offers OCIA for adults and OCIC for unbaptized children over age 7. Catechists and aides are always needed.
- Faith Formation for grades 3–7 — Sundays, 11:15 AM–12:45 PM in Parish Center
- First Eucharist preparation
- Confirmation preparation (7th grade and up)
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults)
- OCIC (Order of Christian Initiation Adapted for Children, age 7+)
- Catechetical Ministry — Catechist and Aide recruitment ongoing
- Coordinator: Jennifer Paul — [email protected], (408) 879-1120 ext. 10
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
St. Frances Cabrini Youth Ministry invites all youth in grades 6 through 12 to a monthly Youth Evening of fun, friends, faith, and food. The program is designed to address the catechetical, educational, spiritual, emotional, and social needs of middle school and high school students, with discussion topics on faith, current teen issues, and family values. The group meets every second Sunday of the month from 6:45 to 8:30 PM in Kelley Hall, following the 5:30 PM Youth Mass. The Young Adult Ministry is a faith-sharing fellowship for college-aged adults, young professionals, singles, engaged, and newly married couples, meeting every other Friday at 7:00 PM in the Parish Center living room (beginning September 12, 2025).
- Youth Ministry — grades 6–12, 2nd Sunday, 6:45–8:30 PM, Kelley Hall, after the 5:30 PM Youth Mass
- Youth Coordinator: James Duquette — [email protected], (408) 879-1120 ext. 14
- Young Adult Ministry — every other Friday, 7:00 PM, Parish Center living room
- Parochial Vicar for Youth & Young Adult Ministry: Rev. David Olaniyi — [email protected]
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for and celebrates all seven Catholic Sacraments. Infant Baptisms are celebrated on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month at 11:30 AM, with a required preparation class coordinated by Jennifer Paul. First Eucharist and Confirmation are prepared through the Faith Formation program. Reconciliation follows the published weekly schedule, with additional opportunities on First Fridays and First Saturdays. Anointing of the Sick is offered at the First Friday Masses (8:30 AM and 6:00 PM) and through the parish emergency line at (408) 833-0257. Couples preparing for Marriage should contact a parish priest at least six months in advance; the parish also offers a Marriage Preparation program with a coordinating couple, Chris & Ann Aguilar, and a Church Wedding Fee of $800. Funeral Masses are coordinated through Jean O'Connell in the parish office.
- Baptism — 2nd & 4th Saturday, 11:30 AM
- First Eucharist & Confirmation — via Faith Formation
- Reconciliation — see published schedule
- Anointing of the Sick — First Friday Masses and emergency line (408) 833-0257
- Marriage — at least 6 months advance notice; $800 Church Wedding Fee
- Funerals — contact Jean O'Connell, (408) 879-1120 ext. 20
Parish Ministries & Community Life
The parish offers a wide array of ministries that allow parishioners to live out the mission to worship God, love others, make disciples, and educate the young. Active groups include Altar Servers, Bible Study, Building & Maintenance, Hospitality, Intercessory Prayer, the Ladies League (meets 4th Tuesday at 7:00 PM in Kelley Hall), Marriage Enrichment / Date Night, the Men's Club (2nd Monday), Social & Outreach (which manages the parish Food Pantry), and the Funeral & Grief Ministry. The parish also hosts community events like the annual SFC Carnival and supports causes like the South Bay Blue Star Moms.
- Altar Servers
- Bible Study (Sue Keller)
- Building & Maintenance (Dave Citrigno)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) at the 10:00 AM Sunday Mass
- Hospitality Ministry (Myla Taylor)
- Intercessory Prayer Group (Rebecca Valverde)
- Ladies League — 4th Tuesday, 7:00 PM, Kelley Hall
- Marriage Enrichment / Date Night (Chris & Ann Aguilar)
- Men's Club — 2nd Monday (Rob Godar)
- Social & Outreach Ministry / Food Pantry (Jim Revels)
- Funeral & Grief Ministry
- Annual SFC Carnival (October)
Clergy, Staff & Parish Office
St. Frances Cabrini is led by Pastor Rev. James Okafor and Parochial Vicar Rev. David Olaniyi, with assisting clergy Rev. Paul Soukup, S.J. (Jesuit) and Rev. Robert McKay. The Parish Center is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The parish office can be reached at (408) 879-1120, with staff extensions available for Sacramental Records, Catechetical Coordination, Youth Coordination, Bookkeeping, and Facilities.
- Pastor: Rev. James Okafor — ext. 13, [email protected]
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. David Olaniyi — ext. 12, [email protected]
- Assisting Clergy: Rev. Paul Soukup, S.J. ([email protected])
- Assisting Clergy: Rev. Robert McKay ([email protected])
- Parish Secretary / Facilities / Sacramental Records: Jean O'Connell — ext. 20, [email protected]
- Administrative Assistants: Teresa Adams (ext. 24), Jolene Cisler (ext. 18)
- Catechetical Coordinator: Jennifer Paul — ext. 10, [email protected]
- Youth Coordinator: James Duquette — ext. 14, [email protected]
- Custodian: Beatriz Salcedo — ext. 16
- Bookkeeper: Michael Bruce — ext. 18
- Emergency Anointing line: (408) 833-0257
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Robert G. Essig1955–1964 (and continued as pastor at the time of the 1963 dedication)
Founding pastor; installed July 3, 1955 by Rev. John J. Healy of St. Christopher's. Lived first month at St. Christopher's rectory, then at 14492 Union Ave apartment, then at 15300 Camden Avenue (renovated for $1,200), and finally in the new rectory at 15333 Woodard Road (built for $40,000) on January 4, 1957. Shepherded the parish through construction of the Red Barn chapel, the temporary church-hall, the convent and school (1960), and the new permanent church (1963). Fr. Raymond Kelley, S.J., helped on weekends from the Red Barn days onward; Fr. Angelo D'Manti was appointed first assistant on June 27, 1959.