About St. Gregory the Great · San Diego, California
St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church is a large, vibrant Eucharistic parish of approximately 3,300 families serving the Scripps Ranch community of San Diego, California. Founded in August 1985, the parish worships on a multi-award-winning campus that includes the church, a parish school (opened 2009), parish hall, and offices. Since July 1, 2023, the parish has been served by the Paulist Fathers (Missionary Society of St. Paul the Apostle). The parish is notable for its outreach during the 2003 Cedar Fire, its diverse ministries spanning faith formation, youth, music, OCIA, and international mission work, and its 9:00 am Sunday Mass signed for the deaf.
- Established
- 1985
- Patron
- St. Gregory the Great (Pope Gregory I)
- Rector
- Rev. Bart Landry, C.S.P. (Paulist Father)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego
Why belong here
St. Gregory the Great welcomes more than 3,300 families into a community that takes its extraordinary liturgies — Triduum, Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Healing Masses — seriously while offering daily and live-streamed Masses, plus Reconciliation four times a week. The parish has a strong formation pathway for every age (Faith Formation for children and middle school, Sacramental Preparation, Confirmation, OCIA, Vacation Bible School, youth-led Sunday Mass, and Young Adult Ministry) and a Catholic elementary/middle school serving the community since 2009. With ministries spanning OCIA, Knights of Columbus, Music Ministry, Grief and Family Cancer Support, Mental Health, Military Friendship, Build-A-Miracle, Outreach for Nazareth Orphanage, Sister Parish Outreach, and a signed Mass for the deaf, there is a way for almost anyone to belong, serve, and grow here.
Mass times at St. Gregory the Great
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 4:00 pm
- By appointment
- Fourth Thursdays 8:40 am
- Fourth Thursdays 7:00 pm
Adoration times
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament — Bi-monthly events (see Adoration page on stgg.org for the current schedule)
Welcome & Mission
St. Gregory the Great describes itself as 'a vibrant, faithful, Eucharistic Catholic Community who bring people to Christ and send them out to transform the world.' Since July 1, 2023, the parish has been served by the Paulist Fathers (Missionary Society of St. Paul the Apostle), a community known for wonderful liturgies, impactful ministries, and a strong sense of welcome for all people. The parish is located in Scripps Ranch, San Diego, and counts more than 3,300 families among its roster.
- Mission: 'We are a vibrant, faithful, Eucharistic, Catholic Community who bring people to Christ and send them out to transform the world.'
- Served by the Paulist Fathers since 2023
- Parish Office: 11451 Blue Cypress Drive, San Diego, CA 92131
- Phone: (858) 653-3540 • [email protected]
Parish History
Founded in August 1985, St. Gregory the Great grew from 200 families sharing Masses in its founding pastor's living room to a 3,300-family parish with its own church, school, and award-winning campus. The parish weathered the 2003 Cedar Fire by opening its campus as a community refuge, paid off its church-campus debt in 2005, opened its school in 2009, and transitioned in 2023 from diocesan to Paulist leadership.
- 1985 — Parish established; first Mass Sept. 3, 1985 at Miramar Ranch Elementary School
- 1987 — Leased Geico building on Treena St. as parish center
- 1997 — Ground broken for permanent church (Oct. 12, 1997)
- 1999 — First permanent cross raised (Feb. 7); church dedicated by Bishop Robert H. Brom (Nov. 6)
- 2003 — Cedar Fire: parish serves as community refuge and outreach center
- 2004 — Founding pastor Fr. Jim Poulsen departs after 19 years
- 2005 — Church debt retired; land purchased in Stonebridge for a parish school; parish aids Hurricane Katrina victims
- 2009 — St. Gregory the Great Catholic School opens with 60 students
- 2018 — Six new classrooms added to the school
- 2023 — Paulist Fathers assume pastoral care (July 1); Fr. Nick retires after 18 years
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently shepherded by two Paulist Fathers — Pastor Fr. Bart Landry, C.S.P. and Associate Pastor Fr. Jerry Tully, C.S.P. — who began their ministry July 1, 2023. They are assisted by presiders including Rev. Chuck Kullmann, C.S.P., Rev. Jim Rafferty, and Monsignor Michael Gallagher, and by Deacons Dom Guzzardo, Doug Pingel, and Ron Diem. Lay staff coordinate Faith Formation, Youth Ministry, Music, and parish operations.
- Pastor: Rev. Bart Landry, C.S.P.
- Associate Pastor: Rev. Jerry Tully, C.S.P. — [email protected] • 858-653-3593
- Presiders: Rev. Chuck Kullmann, C.S.P.; Rev. Jim Rafferty; Monsignor Michael Gallagher
- Deacons: Dom Guzzardo, Doug Pingel, Ron Diem
- Faith Formation & Young Adult Coordinator: Bella Kyamko-Yap — [email protected] • 858-653-3594
- Youth Ministry Coordinator: Reggie Badua — [email protected] • 858-653-3591
- School Principal: Erin Zwahlen, Ph.D., BCBA-D — [email protected] • 858-397-1290
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Gregory the Great offers Catholic Catechism, Scripture, Music, and Liturgical Experiences for children (TK–5), middle schoolers (6–8), and teens, alongside Sacramental Preparation and Vacation Bible School. Christian Formation stewards (lay and clergy catechists) partner with parents as the primary teachers of the faith.
- Faith Formation – Children (TK–5)
- Faith Formation – Middle School (6–8)
- Sacramental Preparation (2nd–8th grade): First Eucharist & First Reconciliation in 2nd year
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (Ages 3–10) — during Sunday Mass
- Vacation Bible School — summer week on parish grounds
- Special Needs Faith Formation
- Parent Resources & Safe Environment
- Contact: Bella Kyamko-Yap — [email protected] • 858-653-3594
Youth Ministry & Confirmation
The youth ministry helps high-schoolers grow as disciples of Jesus through a youth group, Confirmation preparation, and a youth-led Sunday Mass. The dynamic programming includes games, songs, youth nights, outings, retreats, conferences, and service days throughout the year.
- Youth Group — open to all regardless of belief or faith background
- Youth Confirmation Preparation — deeper understanding of the Holy Spirit
- Youth-Led Mass — Sundays 5:00 pm (ushers, EMHCs, lectors, altar servers, choir)
- Faith-based games, songs, youth nights, outings, retreats, conferences, service days
- Contact: Reggie Badua — [email protected] • 858-653-3591
OCIA — Becoming Catholic
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the parish's pathway for adults and older children seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church. An adapted OCIC process is available for unbaptized children of catechetical age (generally 7+).
- Four phases: Inquiry, Catechumenate, Purification & Enlightenment, Mystagogy
- Weekly focus sessions, Sunday Mass attendance, Breaking Open the Word discussion groups
- OCIC — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults Adapted for Children
- Adult OCIA contact: Sergio & Eileen Vargas — [email protected] • 858-484-9425
- Children's OCIC contact: Kelli Lawrenz — [email protected] • 850-384-2660
St. Gregory the Great Catholic School
St. Gregory the Great Catholic School is a parish preschool–through–middle-school serving Scripps Ranch and the surrounding community. Founded in 2009 under founding principal Maeve O'Connell, the school welcomed current principal Dr. Erin Zwahlen, Ph.D., BCBA-D in 2023. Six new classrooms were added in 2018 to keep pace with enrollment.
- Address: 15315 Stonebridge Pkwy, San Diego, CA 92131
- Phone: (858) 397-1290 (school office) • (858) 397-1291 (preschool)
- Email: [email protected] • [email protected]
- Core values: Faith, Service, Community, Academic Excellence
- Principal: Erin Zwahlen, Ph.D., BCBA-D
- Founded 2009 with 60 students under founding principal Maeve O'Connell
- Six new classrooms added in 2018
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Music is central to the parish's celebrated liturgy. Choirs support the parish's Sunday Masses, including the youth-led 5:00 pm Mass, and the parish notes that 'the most important aspect of St. Gregory the Great is the extraordinary liturgies that take place here,' particularly the Triduum, Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Healing Masses.
- Adult Choir
- Youth Choir — contemporary worship, grades 8–high school; sings at the 5:00 pm Sunday Youth Mass
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
- Lectors
- Altar Servers
- Greeters & Ushers
- Liturgical Environment
- Liturgical Scheduling
Parish Outreach & Mission
Parish Outreach is a constellation of ministries devoted to pastoral care, social service, and advocacy for those outside the parish. St. Gregory the Great's outreach reaches locally, nationally, and internationally — from Scripps Ranch to Mexico to the Gulf Coast.
- Sister Parish Outreach — partners with Our Lady of Angels
- Build-A-Miracle — shelter and job-skills support
- Outreach for Nazareth Orphanage
- Rosary Makers — ships mission rosaries worldwide
- STGG Food Share
- Respect for Life / Social Justice
- Blood Drive
- Communion to the Homebound
- Ministry of Consolation (grief support)
- Family Cancer Support
- Military Friendship & Support
- Contact: Ken Marra — [email protected] • 858-442-3871
Community Life & Small Groups
Beyond its service and formation ministries, the parish offers a wide range of small groups, fellowship circles, and parish-life activities for men, women, families, young adults, scouts, and cultural communities — anchored by an active Knights of Columbus council, Marriage ministry, and Cursillo community.
- Connection 2 Christ Small Groups
- COR Men's Prayer Group
- Knights of Columbus
- Cursillo
- Grace Marriage
- Divine Dining
- Women's Book Club & Women's Friendship Circle
- Young Adult Ministry
- Filipino-American Ministry
- Boy Scouts & Cub Scouts
- Donuts and Coffee
- Gala
- Gardening Ministry
- Kitchen Coordinator
- Prayers and Squares (quilting prayer ministry)
- Computer Help Ministry
- Mental Health Ministry
Sacraments & Pastoral Care
The parish prepares members for the sacraments through age-appropriate programs and welcomes those considering Catholicism through OCIA. Pastoral care extends to the homebound, the grieving, the sick, and families navigating cancer or military service.
- Baptism — Baptism Seminars offered
- First Eucharist & First Reconciliation — 2nd year of Faith Formation
- Confirmation — Youth & adult pathways
- Matrimony — Wedding Ministry
- Anointing of the Sick — Healing Masses
- Communion to the Homebound
- Ministry of Consolation (bereavement)
- Spiritual Direction
Getting Involved
St. Gregory the Great invites newcomers to register as parishioners, learn about ministries through its A–Z Ministry Index and Ministry Fair, and find a small group that fits their stage of life. New Parishioner Orientations help newcomers connect.
- New Parishioner Orientations
- Parish Registration (online)
- A–Z Ministry Index
- Ministry Fair
- Online Giving
- Prayer Requests
- Join the Parish
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Jim Poulsen1985–2004
Founding pastor; hosted the parish office and Masses in his Scripps Ranch home before the permanent church was built. Served 19 years.
- Rev. Nicholas P. Clavin2005–2023
Second pastor; stewarded the founding and opening of the parish school in 2009; his passion was Catholic Stewardship. Retired in July 2023 after 18 years.
- Rev. Bartholomew (Bart) Landry, C.S.P.2023–present
First Paulist pastor; ministry began July 1, 2023, when the parish was entrusted to the Paulist Fathers.