About St. Francis of Assisi · Yuma, Arizona
St. Francis of Assisi Parish is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish in Yuma, Arizona, part of the Diocese of Tucson. Founded in 1948, it sits at 1815 S. 8th Avenue and serves a diverse community of English- and Spanish-speaking Catholics with up to 18 Masses each week, perpetual adoration at St. Clare's Chapel, and a robust religious education program. The parish also operates St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School, a fully accredited Pre-K through 8 institution that has been part of the Yuma community since 1962. The parish's mission statement describes it as 'a diverse family of God' working to pray, teach, serve and live its baptismal promises together.
- Established
- 1948
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Rev. Emilio Chapa (Fr. Emilio)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Tucson
Why belong here
St. Francis of Assisi welcomes seasonal and full-time residents alike, with a bilingual worship schedule of roughly 18 Masses per week that makes it easy for working families and winter visitors to find a convenient time. The parish grounds host St. Clare's Perpetual Adoration Chapel (open 7 AM–9 PM daily), a Pre-K–8 Catholic school that has formed Yuma children since 1962, and a year-round religious education program for children, teens, and adults preparing for sacraments. Active ministries include lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, ushers, sacristans, the school advisory council, and ongoing safe-environment volunteer service, so newcomers can easily find a way to share their time and talents.
Mass times at St. Francis of Assisi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
- Saturday 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- St. Clare's Perpetual Adoration Chapel: open to the public 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM daily
About St. Francis of Assisi Parish
St. Francis of Assisi is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish in Yuma, Arizona, in the Diocese of Tucson, founded in 1948. The parish describes itself as 'a community of disciples of Christ Jesus gathered together to pray, teach, serve and live our baptismal promises,' emphasizing its identity as 'a diverse family of God' striving to grow closer to God and one another through faith, love, and forgiveness. The parish campus at 1815 S. 8th Avenue includes the church, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School, and St. Clare's Perpetual Adoration Chapel.
- Mission: prayer, teaching, service, and living baptismal promises
- Patron: St. Francis of Assisi (feast day October 4)
- Part of the Diocese of Tucson
- Founded 1948
Live Mass & Radio Broadcast
Fr. Emilio and the parish priests celebrate a daily private Mass that is livestreamed through the parish website ('Live Mass' / 'Misa en Vivo' links) and broadcast live on Catholic radio station KYVD 92.5 FM. Past Mass videos are also archived on the parish website for later viewing, and the parish publishes a Prayer for Spiritual Communion for those watching remotely.
- Live Mass / Misa en Vivo on stfrancisyuma.com
- KYVD 92.5 FM daily broadcast
- Archived past Mass videos
- Online offertory and Spiritual Communion prayer resources
Religious Education & Sacramental Preparation
The Religious Education Office coordinates catechesis for children, teens, and adults throughout the academic year. Programs include general catechism (Kinder through 7th Grade), a two-year First Holy Communion program (Grades 1–7), a two-year Teen Confirmation program (8th Grade through Senior year), Adult Confirmation, and an adult inquiry process for the unbaptized or adults seeking First Communion and/or Confirmation. Registration is by downloadable form, with originals of Baptism and First Communion certificates required at sign-up. Tuition is $40/year for general catechism (first two children), $50/year for First Communion prep, $75/year for teen Confirmation, and $75 for Adult Confirmation.
- General Catechism (K–7): $40/year for first two children, $25 each additional
- First Holy Communion (2-year program): $50/year for first two children
- Teen Confirmation (2-year program): $75/year
- Adult Confirmation: $75 — contact Elizabeth Gallegos
- Adult Inquiry (RCIA-style): Marlene Lorona (English) 928-502-1665; Evelia Villegas (Spanish) 928-782-1875 ext. 7
- RE Office hours: Monday–Thursday 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM; [email protected]
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School is a fully accredited Pre-K through 8 parochial school serving the Yuma area since 1962, located on the parish campus at 700 W. 18th Street. The school is committed to educational excellence within the Roman Catholic tradition, partnering with parents as primary educators to help students grow in the image and likeness of God. The School Advisory Council includes the pastor (Father Emilio), Deacon Todd Taylor, Principal Veronica Lopez, and elected parent and parish members.
- Grades served: Pre-K through 8
- Accredited parochial school since 1962
- Principal: Veronica Lopez
- Council includes Father Emilio, Deacon Todd Taylor, and parish/parent representatives
- Mascot: Wildcats
- Wildcat Family Corner with newsletters, calendars, and family resources
Parish Ministries & Volunteer Service
The parish actively recruits liturgical and behind-the-scenes volunteers, with opportunities for Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers, Sacristans, Church Cleaning, Maintenance, Groundskeeping, Painting, Sewing, Decorating, Clerical, and Marketing. All volunteers working with minors or vulnerable adults must complete the Diocese of Tucson's three-step Safe Environment process (online application, CMG Connect training, and AZ DPS digital fingerprinting) under the parish's compliance officer, Evelia Villegas.
- Liturgical roles: Eucharistic Minister, Usher, Sacristan
- Behind-the-scenes: Cleaning, Maintenance, Groundskeeping, Painting, Sewing, Decorating, Clerical, Marketing
- Contact: [email protected] to volunteer
- Compliance Officer: Evelia Villegas (928-782-1875)
Safe Environment & Protecting Children
Under Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger of the Diocese of Tucson, St. Francis Parish implements the diocesan 'Our Call to Protect' Safe Environment program, which screens and trains all clergy, employees, and volunteers who work with children and vulnerable adults, in compliance with Arizona Mandatory Reporting laws. The program requires online application, CMG Connect training, and digital fingerprinting, and is coordinated locally by Compliance Officer Evelia Villegas.
- Diocese of Tucson Safe Environment Program
- Three-step clearance: application, training, fingerprinting
- Compliance Officer: Evelia Villegas
Contact, Directions & Parish Office
The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM and again 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM. The Religious Education Office keeps separate afternoon hours (Monday–Thursday, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM). Visitors coming from central Yuma can take 16th Street west to 8th Avenue, then south to the parish, with the main parking lot accessed from 19th Street.
- Parish Office: 928-782-1875 | [email protected]
- RE Office: 928-782-1875 | [email protected]
- Address: 1815 S. 8th Avenue, Yuma, AZ 85364
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:30 AM–1:00 PM and 3:00–5:30 PM
- RE hours: Mon–Thu 3:00–6:00 PM
- Main parking off 19th Street; additional street parking
Diocese of Tucson & Wider Church Context
St. Francis of Assisi Parish is one of several parishes serving the Yuma area in the Diocese of Tucson, whose current bishop is the Most Rev. Edward J. Weisenburger. Nearby sister parishes include Our Lady of Guadalupe (Yuma), Immaculate Conception (Yuma), St. John Neumann (Yuma), and Immaculate Heart of Mary (Somerton), as well as missions across the nearby U.S.–Mexico border such as St. Thomas Indian Mission in Winterhaven, California, and Cristo Rey in Los Algodones, Mexico.
- Diocese of Tucson
- Bishop: Most Rev. Edward J. Weisenburger
- Nearby parishes: Our Lady of Guadalupe, Immaculate Conception, St. John Neumann
- Border-region Catholic community extending into Winterhaven, CA and Los Algodones, Mexico