About St. Isabella · San Rafael, California
St. Isabella's Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Terra Linda neighborhood of San Rafael, California, part of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. It serves the Terra Linda, Marinwood, and Lucas Valley communities from its campus at One Trinity Way, which includes a parish school (K–8) operating since 1963. The parish was founded in the late 1950s on land donated by the Portuguese-American Freitas family, who asked the Archdiocese to name it after St. Isabella, patroness of Portugal. Today the parish is led by Pastor Rev. Cyril J. O'Sullivan (since 2019) with Parochial Vicar Rev. Raphael Laizer and Deacon Christopher Major, and offers a wide range of liturgical, educational, and outreach ministries, including a Sunday 2:00 pm Spanish Mass and a pastoral mission at Most Holy Rosary Chapel in Marinwood.
- Established
- 1959
- Patron
- St. Isabella of Portugal (Queen Isabella, canonized in 1625 as St. Elizabeth of Portugal)
- Rector
- Rev. Cyril J. O'Sullivan
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of San Francisco
Why belong here
St. Isabella's is a vibrant parish-and-school community in Terra Linda with daily Mass, multiple Sunday liturgies (including a Spanish Mass and a Family Mass with active student participation), and a robust pastoral mission at Most Holy Rosary Chapel in Marinwood. Parishioners can grow spiritually through Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every Monday evening and weekday morning, weekly Rosary and Divine Mercy devotion, RCIA, the Parish School of Religion (PSR), and a wide range of ministries — from St. Vincent de Paul outreach to a Parish Youth Council, choir, lectors, eucharistic ministers, and a 50+ Club. With a pastor who is also the Dean of the Marin Deanery, a school rooted in the parish since 1963, and a clear mission to create an atmosphere 'in which faith can grow,' St. Isabella's is both a rooted Catholic school community and a welcoming parish home for newcomers in Marin County.
Mass times at St. Isabella
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays, 4:00–4:45 pm (or by appointment)
- Tuesdays, 5:00–7:00 pm (English or Spanish) — per bulletin schedule
- By appointment: call the rectory at 415-479-1560
Adoration times
- Mondays — 5:00 pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, followed at 5:15 pm by Holy Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet
- Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday — 7:20 am Exposition (before 8:30 am Mass)
- Weekday Mornings (Mon–Sat) — 7:30 am Rosary/Divine Mercy Chaplet; 8:00 am Liturgy of the Hours; 8:30 am Mass
About St. Isabella's Parish
St. Isabella's Parish serves the Terra Linda, Marinwood, and Lucas Valley neighborhoods of San Rafael, California, within the Archdiocese of San Francisco. The parish's mission statement commits it to 'create an atmosphere in which faith can grow' through preaching the Good News, sacramental celebrations, the offering of the Eucharist, and education at the primary, secondary, and adult levels. The parish commits itself to reaching all age groups and to ministering to the spiritual and physical needs of those less fortunate. The parish campus at One Trinity Way includes the church, a parish school, a parish center, and a rectory, and the parish also serves a pastoral mission at Most Holy Rosary Chapel in Marinwood.
- Address: One Trinity Way, P.O. Box 6166, San Rafael, CA 94903
- Office: 415-479-1560 · Fax: 415-479-8303
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.stisabellasparish.org
- Part of the Archdiocese of San Francisco (sfarch.org)
Parish History
The parish was created in 1959 when the Archdiocese of San Francisco divided the overstretched Blessed Sacrament congregation; the children of Manuel and Maria Freitas donated the last ten acres of their 'Home Ranch' to the Archdiocese in memory of their parents. Archbishop John J. Mitty named Rev. Edward Dingberg as the first pastor and honored the Freitas family's wish that the new parish be named for St. Isabella, patroness of Portugal. The school opened in 1962, the Parish Center was built in 1964, and the building intended as the gym became the permanent worship space. After Fr. Dingberg's death in 1976, Msgr. Francis A. Lacy led the parish until 1989, followed by Rev. Hansen and then by Rev. Michael J. Keane, who served until his death in 2007. The present pastor, Rev. Cyril J. O'Sullivan, was appointed July 1, 2019.
- 1959 — Freitas family donates 10 acres; Archbishop Mitty establishes the parish
- 1961 — Church building (originally built as a gym) opens for worship
- 1962 — School becomes operational
- 1963 — St. Isabella School founded
- 1964 — Parish Center constructed
- 1976 — Msgr. Francis A. Lacy succeeds founding pastor Fr. Dingberg
- 1989 — Rev. Michael J. Keane becomes pastor (serves until his death in 2007)
- July 1, 2019 — Rev. Cyril J. O'Sullivan installed as pastor
St. Isabella of Portugal — Patroness
Queen Isabella of Portugal was born in 1271, the daughter of King Peter III of Aragon, and at twelve became queen consort to King Denis of Portugal. Known as 'The Peacemaker' for mediating feuds within her own family across generations, she is most famous for hiding bread in her apron to feed the poor; when her husband confronted her, the bread miraculously turned to roses — an episode echoed in the life of her great-aunt, St. Elizabeth of Hungary. She founded orphanages, hospitals, housing for the homeless, and a convent for nuns. She died in 1336 and was canonized in 1625, when she became known as St. Elizabeth of Portugal. Her feast day, July 4, is celebrated across Portugal as 'Rainha Santa' — Queen Saint.
- Patroness of Portugal
- Born 1271; died 1336; canonized 1625
- Feast Day: July 4 (Rainha Santa)
- Patroness chosen by the founding Freitas family
Our Church Building
The original architectural plans for the St. Isabella's campus called for a school, a rectory, a separate church, and a gym. The building that is now the church was constructed as the gym, but when it was pressed into service as a 'temporary' church, its size and central location proved more than adequate for the parish's needs and the planned separate church — to have been built behind the garden on the highest knoll of the property — was never built.
- Rectory built first
- Gym constructed and used as 'temporary' church — never replaced
- Statue of St. Isabella stands in the garden
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is currently led by Pastor Rev. Cyril J. O'Sullivan (native of Cork, Ireland; ordained 1980; Dean of the Marin Deanery), Parochial Vicar & Hospital Chaplain Rev. Raphael Laizer (from Arusha, Tanzania; joined July 1, 2025), and Deacon Rev. Mr. Christopher Major (marriage preparation, RCIA, Knights of Columbus, Archdiocesan coordinator for African American ethnic ministry). The staff includes Music Director Lynn Pieri Young, Office Manager Ginny Pheatt, Finance Manager Nahed Naser, and Baptismal Preparation coordinator Frank Lavin. School Principal Rob Pheatt — himself a St. Isabella School alumnus — leads the parish school.
- Rev. Cyril J. O'Sullivan, Pastor
- Rev. Raphael Laizer, Parochial Vicar & Hospital Chaplain
- Rev. Mr. Christopher Major, Deacon
- Rob Pheatt, School Principal
- Lynn Pieri Young, Director of Music (415-707-763-3965)
- Ginny Pheatt, Office Manager ([email protected])
- Nahed Naser, Finance
- Frank Lavin, Baptismal Preparation
Devotions & Novenas
The parish runs an active devotional life beyond the Mass schedule, including a weekly Rosary Prayer Group (Mondays at 5:15 pm), the Blessed Mother Prayer Group (Monday evenings in the church), and an annual cycle of novenas: the Novena to Saint Joseph, the Divine Mercy Novena culminating in Divine Mercy Sunday, the Novena Votive Mass for the Sick, and the Novena Prayer to St. Paul for Persons Struggling with Addiction.
- Monday Rosary Prayer Group — 5:15 pm
- Blessed Mother Prayer Group — Monday evenings, Church
- Novena to Saint Joseph
- Divine Mercy Novena & Divine Mercy Sunday
- Novena Votive Mass for the Sick
- Novena Prayer to St. Paul for Addiction
Most Holy Rosary Chapel (Pastoral Mission)
In addition to the main church on Trinity Way, St. Isabella's serves as the pastoral mission for Most Holy Rosary Chapel in Marinwood (One Saint Vincent's Drive). The Chapel hosts Sunday Mass at 9:30 am, Traditional Form Confession at 11:30 am, and a Gregorian (Latin) Mass at 12:15 pm with Schola Cantorum. Weddings or baptisms at Most Holy Rosary must be arranged through St. Isabella's Parish.
- Address: One Saint Vincent's Drive, Marinwood, CA
- Sunday Mass: 9:30 am
- Latin (Gregorian) Mass: 12:15 pm with Schola Cantorum
- Traditional Form Confession: 11:30 am–Noon
- Website: www.tlmsf.org
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for the sacraments of Baptism, Matrimony, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Parents expecting a child or with a newborn are asked to contact the rectory at least two months before the desired baptism date to complete baptismal instruction. Engaged couples are asked to contact the rectory at least six months before the desired wedding date. Adults and children seeking Christian initiation — including the unbaptized, those baptized in another tradition, and baptized Catholics seeking to complete Confirmation and Eucharist — are served through the R.C.I.A. process.
- Infant Baptism — contact rectory 2+ months ahead
- Matrimony — contact rectory 6+ months ahead
- R.C.I.A. — Judy Rosenbloom 415-897-8241 / Sue 415-472-1286
- Reconciliation — Saturdays 4:00–4:45 pm or by appointment
St. Isabella School
St. Isabella School has offered a strong faith-based academic curriculum on the parish campus since 1963, educating students in kindergarten through 8th grade. The program integrates technology, foreign language, music, Accelerated Reader, and community service across all grade levels, helping students incorporate Catholic Christian values into their everyday lives. The faculty includes a principal, 15 full-time and 6 part-time teachers, with specialists in science, math, art, music, Spanish, technology, resource services, and counseling. Principal Rob Pheatt is himself an alumnus of the school.
- Grades K–8, founded 1963
- Principal: Rob Pheatt (alumnus; BA Benedictine College; M.A. Dominican University)
- Curriculum: technology integration, foreign language, music, Accelerated Reader, community service
- 15 full-time teachers, 6 part-time teachers, 5 with master's degrees
- Specialists in science, math, art, music, Spanish, technology, learning resources, counseling
- Phone: 415-479-3727 · Web: www.stisabellaschool.org
Religious Education (PSR) & RCIA
For children attending public school, the Parish School of Religion (PSR) provides weekly religious education for grades 1–8; the parish also seeks volunteers to help with the program. Adults and older children seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church — or baptized Catholics wishing to complete the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist — are formed through the R.C.I.A. process.
- PSR Director: Lyn Gatti
- PSR registration open for grades 1–8
- PSR volunteers needed ([email protected])
- R.C.I.A.: Judy Rosenbloom 415-897-8241 / Sue 415-472-1286
Parish Ministries
St. Isabella's offers a wide range of lay ministries for adults, seniors, and youth, including the parish's own St. Vincent de Paul conference (with a Help Line at 415-454-3303 and Car Donation Program at 415-747-7276), liturgical ministries (Lectors, Commentators, Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers, Altar Guild & Linens, Music), pastoral care (Grief Ministry, Hospital Chaplaincy), community-building groups (50+ Club, Men's Club, Hospitality, Blessed Mother Prayer Group), and Student Ministry for children in kindergarten and up who serve at the 9:00 am Family Mass.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — Help Line 415-454-3303; Car Donation 415-747-7276
- Altar Guild & Linens, Commentators/Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers
- Music Ministry — Director Lynn Pieri Young
- Grief Ministry, Hospitality, Men's Club, 50+ Club
- Blessed Mother Prayer Group
- Student Ministry — Greeters, Hospitality Helpers, Bulletin Buddies, Clean-Up Crew, Youth Lectoring, Youth Ushering, Spirit Choir & Band, Altar Serving
St. Vincent de Paul Conference
The St. Isabella Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a Catholic lay organization of women and men who grow spiritually through person-to-person service to those who are needy and suffering, following the tradition of founder Blessed Frederic Ozanam and patron St. Vincent de Paul. The parish conference reports receiving more than 20 calls per month from community members needing assistance with rent, food, or utilities, and particularly welcomes bilingual Spanish/English volunteers.
- Help Line: 415-454-3303
- Car Donation Program: 415-747-7276
- Contacts: John & Marie Zeiter, 415-479-3286 ([email protected])
- Particular need for bilingual Spanish/English volunteers
Parish Youth Council (PYC)
The Parish Youth Council is the parish's high school youth group. Members meet at members' homes and take part in parish service projects — including donating food and distributing Thanksgiving baskets alongside the St. Vincent de Paul conference and supporting food and toy drives at Thanksgiving and Christmas. The PYC is co-directed by parish staff and is a feeder for parish leadership among Marin teens.
- Director: Shane Graham (PYC Co-Director)
- High school youth group
- Service projects: Thanksgiving baskets, food/toy collections
- Meetings: 7:30 pm at members' houses
Music & Liturgy
The Music Ministry at St. Isabella's is led by Director of Music Lynn Pieri Young, a Marin County native and Catholic church accompanist since age 15 who joined St. Isabella's music team in 1991 and became Director in 2019. The parish offers 'a rich variety of music — from sacred chant to traditional hymns, Gospel selections to contemporary pieces' — and emphasizes training young people to become the next generation of accompanists and cantors.
- Director: Lynn Pieri Young (415-707-763-3965)
- Spirit Choir & Band (Student Ministry)
- Repertoire: sacred chant, traditional hymns, Gospel, contemporary
- Active cantor and accompanist training for youth
Bulletin, News & Calendar
The parish publishes a weekly bulletin that includes the schedule of services, a letter from the pastor, ministry calendars (Blessed Mother Prayer Group, SVdP meetings, PYC meetings, Pancake Breakfasts, Parish Center events, and more), and parish stewardship information. Bulletins are archived and downloadable from the parish website.
- Bulletin archive: stisabellasparish.org/About-Us/Bulletin
- Weekly pastor's letter
- Ministry calendars and event listings
- Stewardship and second-collection announcements
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Edward Dingberg1959–1976 (death)
Founding pastor; shepherded construction of rectory, school, parish center, and the building that became the church.
- Rev. Monsignor Francis A. Lacy1976–1989
Succeeded Fr. Dingberg after his death.
- Rev. Hansen1989 (briefly)
Succeeded Msgr. Lacy; served briefly before Fr. Keane.
- Rev. Michael J. Keane1989–2007 (death)
Long-tenured pastor; died in office.
- Rev. Cyril J. O'SullivanJuly 1, 2019–present
Native of Cork, Ireland; ordained 1980; also Dean of Marin Deanery.