About St. Francis de Sales · Riverside, California
St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church is a historic parish of the Diocese of San Bernardino serving downtown Riverside, California, at 4268 Lime Street. Founded in 1886 by Rev. P.J. Stockman as a mission of St. Bernardine Parish in San Bernardino, it is the mother parish of Riverside County and the home of the first parochial school in the city. The parish is bilingual (English and Spanish), currently served by the Consolata Missionaries (I.M.C.), and is closely paired with St. Francis de Sales Catholic School (K–8), founded in 1918 on nearby Mulberry Street. The parish offers a full sacramental life — daily Mass, Saturday Vigil, four Sunday Masses (one in Spanish), an active adoration chapel, and a wide range of liturgical, catechetical, and outreach ministries.
- Established
- 1886
- Patron
- St. Francis de Sales
- Rector
- Rev. Alvaro Palacios Arregui, I.M.C.
- Diocese
- Diocese of San Bernardino
Why belong here
St. Francis de Sales is a bilingual Catholic home in the heart of Riverside with a daily and Sunday Mass schedule that fits almost any rhythm — a Saturday Vigil, four Sunday Masses (including one fully in Spanish), and a 7:00 a.m. daily Mass that is livestreamed. Its Perpetual Adoration Chapel on Lime Street is open every day from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and confessions are offered three times a week. Parishioners of every age find a place here: an attached K–8 Catholic school, RCIA and adult faith formation, faith-based religious education, a Spanish-speaking ministry, and active groups like the Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, Cursillo, Familias de Fe, a bereavement team, and a feeding-the-homeless outreach — all served by the Consolata Missionaries (I.M.C.).
Mass times at St. Francis de Sales
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM
- Tuesday 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Thursday 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Adoration times
- Chapel / Capilla: Monday–Sunday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Church / Iglesia: Thursday 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Parish Overview & Mission
St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church describes itself as 'a community of believers in Jesus Christ, called to impact family, neighborhood, and society with the gospel so that people's lives are filled with hope.' In Spanish the mission reads: 'La Iglesia de San Francisco de Sales es una comunidad de creyentes en Cristo Jesús, llamados a impactar a la familia, a los vecinos y a la sociedad con el Evangelio, para que sus vidas estén llenas de esperanza.' The parish is located at 4268 Lime Street in Riverside and is intimately paired with St. Francis de Sales Catholic School.
History
Established in 1886 as a mission of St. Bernardine Parish in San Bernardino, St. Francis de Sales is the oldest Catholic parish in Riverside County. A church was begun in 1887, a second church was built in 1917, and the parochial school was founded in 1918 by three Dominican Sisters from Texas. The longest-serving pastor, Msgr. Peter Lynch, led the parish from 1934 to 1974. In 1977, Fr. Philip O'Carroll became pastor and renewed the parish in the spirit of Vatican II, encouraging lay involvement in ministries. The parish joined the new Diocese of San Bernardino in 1978, and the Consolata Missionaries (I.M.C.) have served the parish and school for more than thirteen years.
- 1886 — Parish founded by Rev. P.J. Stockman as a mission of St. Bernardine, San Bernardino
- 1887 — First church building begun
- 1893 — Riverside County formed; St. Francis de Sales becomes the mother parish
- 1917 — Second church built
- 1918 — Parochial school founded by three Dominican Sisters from Texas at the request of Rev. John Hegarty
- 1934–1974 — Msgr. Peter Lynch serves 40 years as pastor (longest tenure)
- 1977 — Fr. Philip O'Carroll becomes pastor, encourages lay ministries after Vatican II
- 1978 — Parish becomes part of the new Diocese of San Bernardino
- 1987 — 100th anniversary: one of 12 Catholic parishes in Riverside, ~900 families
- 2025 — Designated a Jubilee pilgrimage site by the Diocese of San Bernardino
Devotions
Devotional life at St. Francis de Sales includes weekly Novena devotions and a special First-Friday observance with a Spanish Mass followed by Noche de Encuentro (a worship night broadcast on ESNE Radio).
- Novena Devotions — Tuesdays at 5:00 PM
- First Friday — 7:00 AM English Mass (livestreamed), 12:15 PM English Mass, 7:00 PM Spanish Mass, followed at 7:40 PM by Noche de Encuentro on ESNE Radio
- Adoration continues 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM in the Chapel on First Friday
Clergy & Ecclesial Staff
The parish is currently served by the Consolata Missionaries (I.M.C.). The pastor and parochial vicar are members of the institute, and a deacon assists with parish life, marriage preparation, and spiritual direction.
- Rev. Alvaro Palacios Arregui, I.M.C. — Pastor / Administrator
- Rev. John M. Kirimania, I.M.C. — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Joseph Marino — 951-405-0469 (Marriages, Annulment & Spiritual Direction)
St. Francis de Sales Catholic School
St. Francis de Sales Catholic School is an integral part of the parish community and offers faith-centered education from preschool through eighth grade. Founded in 1918 by three Dominican Sisters from Texas at the invitation of pastor Rev. John Hegarty to teach thirty-five students in grades one through six, the school is now supported by the Dominican Sisters of Houston and a lay faculty. Its mission is to teach and follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ while developing lifelong learners, responsible citizens, and 'good shepherds in our global community.' The school recognizes parents as the primary educators of their children and partners with families for academic, emotional, spiritual, and social growth.
- Address: 4205 Mulberry Street, Riverside, CA 92501
- Phone: (951) 683-5083
- Website: SFDSLions.com
- Grades: Preschool / Kindergarten – 8th Grade
- Founded: 1918 by three Dominican Sisters from Texas
- Principal: Mrs. Meins
- Vice Principal: Mrs. Martinez
Liturgical Ministries
A wide range of lay liturgical ministries support the celebration of the Mass in both English and Spanish. Each group has a dedicated coordinator parishioners can contact through the parish office.
- Altar Servers — Rose Calderon, 951-757-2989
- Altar Society — Anthony Lopez, 909-234-6419
- Choir (English) — Mary Fall, 951-781-6772
- Cantor (English/Español) — Rebecca Verwiel, 951-255-9250
- Coro (Español) — Leo Diaz Gonzalez, 951-742-6685
- Organist — Prince Ward, 951-235-5220
- Eucharistic Adoration — Fr. John, 951-686-4004
- Eucharistic Ministers (English/Spanish) — Anthony Lopez, 909-234-6419
- Lectors (English) — Lorraine Mooney, 951-237-1920
- Lectores (Spanish) — Francisco Mendoza, 909-754-8692
- Ushers / Hospitality — Ray Serna, 951-488-4530
- Ujieres — Jacinto Castro, 951-786-8468
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish supports lifelong faith formation through children's religious education, an English-language RCIA process for adults, and ongoing adult faith formation opportunities. Baptisms are coordinated through the parish office in both English and Spanish.
- Religious Education — Teresa Sellars, 951-224-9981
- Adult Faith Formation / RCIA (English) — Rolando Gaza, 951-238-8848
- Baptisms (English & Spanish) — Parish Office, 951-686-4004
Parish Ministries & Outreach
Beyond the sanctuary, parishioners run a varied apostolate that includes prayer, charity, and fellowship. The parish supports the most vulnerable through a feeding-the-homeless ministry and Bereavement Ministry, and welcomes new members through Street Evangelization and a parish Pastoral Council that meets monthly with the clergy.
- Bereavement Ministry — R. Pucciarelli-Davis, 951-236-4636
- Street Evangelization — Phil Kirk, 951-283-5475
- Card Makers' Ministry — Toni Bastian, 951-992-8815
- Feeding the Homeless — Anthony Lopez, 909-234-6419
- Parish Council — Lorraine Mooney, 951-237-1920
- Pastoral Care — Maureen Riggs, 951-321-9956
- Spanish Ministries — Alba Dominguez, 951-318-7511
- St. Anne's Sewdality — Claire Forsythe, 909-240-4604
- Weddings, Baptism & Quinceañeras (English & Spanish) — Alba Dominguez, 951-318-7511
- Women's Ministry — R. Pucciarelli-Davis, 951-236-4636
Catholic Organizations & Prayer Groups
St. Francis de Sales is home to established Catholic lay organizations and Spanish-language prayer movements that bring parishioners together for spiritual growth and service.
- Catholic Charities — 951-689-1803
- Knights of Columbus — Mike Vahl, 951-538-8362
- Legion of Mary — Karen Gayer, 951-907-7871
- Familias de Fe — Ramiro y Rocelia Hernandez, 951-347-5691
- Cursillo Ultreya — Fay Fletcher, 951-522-1550
Visit, Contact & Office Hours
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone at (951) 686-4004 or by email at [email protected]. The office is open Monday–Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed 1:00–2:00 PM for lunch) and is closed on weekends. Sunday Mass is livestreamed on the parish Facebook page (facebook.com/StFrancisDeSalesRiverside) for those unable to attend in person. The parish is also active on Instagram under the handle StFrancisDeSales1886.
- Address: 4268 Lime Street, Riverside, CA 92501
- Phone: (951) 686-4004
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed 1:00–2:00 PM); closed weekends
- Livestream Mass: facebook.com/StFrancisDeSalesRiverside
- Instagram: StFrancisDeSales1886
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. P.J. Stockman1886–
Founded the parish as a mission of St. Bernardine Parish in San Bernardino.
- Rev. John McCarthy
First pastor of the parish.
- Msgr. Peter Lynch1934–1974
Longest-serving pastor (40 years); began two years before the parish moved under the Diocese of San Diego.
- Rev. Philip O'Carroll1977–
After Vatican II, encouraged broad lay involvement in parish ministries; led the parish as it joined the new Diocese of San Bernardino in 1978.
- Rev. Reno Aiardi, I.M.C.
Identified in Inland Catholic Byte as the 22nd pastor, serving under the Consolata Missionaries.