About St. Frances of Rome · Riverbank, California
St. Frances of Rome is a bilingual Catholic parish serving the city of Riverbank in Stanislaus County, California, within the Diocese of Stockton. Its stated mission is "To Love, to Serve and Unite through the Eucharist," and it identifies as "A Stewardship Parish." The parish ministers to a vibrant Spanish- and English-speaking community with six Sunday Masses, daily bilingual Mass, Eucharistic adoration, an active religious education program, and a food pantry operated in collaboration with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Located at 2827 Topeka Street, St. Frances of Rome is the visible continuation of a Catholic presence in Riverbank that began with the 1912 purchase of the old Methodist Church.
- Established
- 1953 (became a parish; church dedicated 1950)
- Patron
- St. Frances of Rome (Francesca Bussa de' Leoni, 1384–1440), Italian Catholic mystic, Benedictine oblate, and patron saint of automobile drivers and widows (feast day March 9)
- Rector
- Rev. Kondayya Mocherla, HGN (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Stockton
Why belong here
St. Frances of Rome welcomes visitors with bilingual Masses six days a week, daily Eucharistic adoration from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and English and Spanish Holy Hours — making it a true spiritual home for both English- and Spanish-speaking Catholics in the Riverbank area. The parish's Religious Education program prepares children for First Communion and Confirmation, RCIA is offered in English and Spanish, and over 30 ministries (from Los Misioneros and Apostles de la Palabra to the Quinceañera preparation, Seniors Group, and St. Vincent de Paul pantry) give every family a place to serve. With the support of the Diocese of Stockton, the parish continues a century-old Catholic tradition in Riverbank (going back to 1912) and lives out its motto of loving, serving, and uniting through the Eucharist.
Mass times at St. Frances of Rome
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
- Saturday from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. or by appointment (Confesiones: Sábado de 3:30 a 4:45 p.m. o por cita)
Adoration times
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. (Adoración Eucarística: Lunes a Viernes de 9:00 a.m. a 6:00 p.m.)
- English Holy Hour — Tuesdays 6:00 p.m.
- Spanish Holy Hour (Hora Santa en Español) — Thursdays 6:00 p.m.
Parish Identity and Mission
St. Frances of Rome identifies itself as "A Stewardship Parish — Una Parroquia Corresponsable" with the stated mission: "To Love, to Serve and Unite through the Eucharist — Amar, Servir y Unir a través de la Eucaristía." The parish serves the city of Riverbank in Stanislaus County and is part of the Diocese of Stockton. Both English and Spanish texts appear throughout the parish website and bulletin, reflecting the bilingual character of the community.
- Motto: "To Love, to Serve and Unite through the Eucharist"
- Identifies as "A Stewardship Parish"
- Part of the Diocese of Stockton
History of the Parish
Catholic worship in Riverbank dates to 1912, when the local Methodists moved out and the small Catholic community purchased their former building. It was first known as St. Patrick's, served as a mission of St. Mary's in Oakdale until 1953, and then became its own parish. The church was dedicated in 1950 under the patronage of St. Frances of Rome. In February 2000, Bishop Stephen Blaire blessed a new parish center (with 8 classrooms, a kitchen, two offices, and a hall), and a remodel of the original church doubled its capacity. That remodeled church was rededicated on November 4, 2001.
- 1912 — Catholics buy the old Riverbank Methodist Church building
- Originally named St. Patrick's; mission of St. Mary's, Oakdale
- Church dedicated 1950; parish established 1953
- New parish center blessed February 2000 by Bishop Stephen Blaire
- Original church remodeled and rededicated November 4, 2001
Clergy and Parish Staff
The parish is currently led by Parochial Administrator Fr. Kondayya Mocherla, HGN, assisted by Parochial Vicar Msgr. Bonifacio Baldonado. Two deacon couples — Rev. Mr. Richard and Nancy Williamsen, and Rev. Mr. Librado and Sonia Ulloa — minister alongside the priests. Lay staff include a Manager & Director of Religious Education (Guadalupe Zamora), a Religious Education Coordinator (Betty Huffman), Bookkeeper (Marivel Sosa Canales), Secretaries (Gloria Garnica and Maria Susana Contreras), and Ceremony Coordinator (Rosa Avila). Earlier bulletins list Rev. Misael Avila as Pastor.
- Parochial Administrator: Rev. Kondayya Mocherla, HGN
- Parochial Vicar: Msgr. Bonifacio Baldonado
- Deacon: Rev. Mr. Richard Williamsen (and wife Nancy)
- Deacon: Rev. Mr. Librado Ulloa (and wife Sonia)
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sacramental Schedule
Confessions are heard every Saturday afternoon; the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is offered on the 1st Friday of each month. Couples planning a wedding are asked to contact the parish at least six months in advance.
- Confessions: Saturday 3:30–4:45 p.m. (or by appointment)
- Anointing of the Sick: 1st Friday of the month at 8:00 a.m.
- Baptisms: by appointment; preparation required
- Marriages: contact the office at least six months in advance
Religious Education and Sacramental Preparation
The Religious Education program prepares children for First Holy Communion (entry in 2nd grade) and Confirmation (entry in 6th grade), with bilingual classes held Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 4:00 to 5:15 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. RCIA is offered in English and Spanish. Catechists and aides are recruited from the parish community.
- First Communion preparation begins in 2nd grade
- Confirmation preparation begins in 6th grade
- Class times: Tue/Wed/Thu 4:00–5:15 p.m.; Tue/Thu 6:15–7:30 p.m.
- Registration fee: $75 per child ($50 each additional child in same household)
- RCIA offered in English and Spanish
Parish Ministries and Groups
St. Frances of Rome lists more than thirty active ministries, organized to serve both English- and Spanish-speaking parishioners across all ages and devotional interests.
- Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers (Spanish)
- Altar Servers
- Marriage Reconstruction
- Mesa Hispana
- Money Counters
- Los Misioneros
- Quinceañera Preparation (Spanish)
- RCIA — English/Spanish
- Religious Education
- Seniors Group
- Social Justice
- Spanish Literacy
- Stewardship
- St. Vincent de Paul (food pantry)
- Youth Group and Adult Youth Group
- Apostles de la Palabra
- Baptism Preparation (Spanish)
- Building Committee
- Communications Committee
- Communion to the Sick
- Discipulados
- Divine Providence
- English Classes
- English Lenten Mission
- Festival Committee
- Finance Council
- Grupo de Oración
- Our Lady of Fatima devotion
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Society
Outreach to Those in Need
The parish operates a food pantry in collaboration with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, helping feed people in need in Riverbank and providing additional services when funding allows. This outreach follows naturally from the parish's identity as a Stewardship Parish dedicated to loving and serving.
- St. Vincent de Paul food pantry
- Communion to the Sick ministry
- Social Justice committee
- Parish mission statement: "To Love, to Serve and Unite through the Eucharist"
Contact, Location, and Online Presence
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office at (209) 869-2996 (fax 209-863-1004) during weekday office hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The parish maintains an up-to-date website and publishes weekly bulletins in PDF form, with Mass livestreamed via its official Facebook page.
- Address: 2827 Topeka Street, Riverbank, CA 95367
- Phone: (209) 869-2996 • Fax: (209) 863-1004
- Website: http://www.stfrancesofrome.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stfrances.romechurch
- Weekly bulletins and bulletin archive posted online
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Misael Avila
Listed as Pastor/Párroco on July 2022 parish bulletin; later succeeded by Fr. Kondayya Mocherla as Parochial Administrator