About St. James Catholic Church · Petaluma, California
St. James Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish located on Sonoma Mountain Parkway in Petaluma, California, and is part of the Diocese of Santa Rosa. Founded in 1964 and dedicated in 1966, it was the second Catholic church built in Petaluma, established to serve the growing eastside of the city. The parish serves approximately 2,500 families with weekend Mass attendance of well over 1,000 people across five Sunday Masses. Guided by four Irish-born pastors over its history, St. James is known for its warm community spirit, Irish-rooted friendliness, and an active web of ministries supporting faith formation, music, outreach, and sacramental life.
- Established
- 1964
- Patron
- St. James
- Rector
- Father Gerard Gormley
- Diocese
- Diocese of Santa Rosa
Why belong here
St. James is a well-established eastside Petaluma parish of roughly 2,500 families that prides itself on warmth, faith, and friendship — values the parish traces to its Irish pastoral heritage. It offers a complete sacramental and formation life for every age: daily and weekend Masses, a two-year Reconciliation/First Communion program, a robust Secondary Religious Education program (7th–12th grade) that includes Confirmation preparation and small faith-learning groups, OCIA for adults, Bible study, and an extensive lay ministry network including Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, a Prayer Quilt Ministry (Prayers & Squares Chapter 868), a Memorial Garden, and a Giving Tree outreach during Advent. There is a place here to pray, to serve, and to belong.
Mass times at St. James Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00–4:30 pm in the church
- Extended Lenten Saturdays 3:30–4:30 pm (e.g. March 9, 16, 23)
- Lenten Tuesday, March 19 from 5:00–6:00 pm
Adoration times
- Saturday 9:00 am (Eucharistic Adoration following the 9:00 am Mass)
Our Parish Story
St. James Catholic Church was the second Catholic church built in Petaluma, founded in 1964 and dedicated in 1966 to serve the growing eastside of the city. Its architecture draws on the adobe structures of early settlers, and the interior is finished in redwood. The pastoral line has been entirely Irish — Fr. Charles O'Leary, Fr. Michael Cleary, Fr. Michael Culligan, and the current pastor, Fr. Gerard Gormley. 'Just as the Irish are famous for their faith and friendliness, you'll find those virtues in the parish of St. James.'
Our Parish Staff
St. James is currently served by four priests (Pastor, Parochial Vicar, one retired priest in residence, and one In Residence priest) and three deacons, alongside parish and faith-formation staff.
- Father Gerard Gormley — Pastor
- Father Fabian Nwokorie — Parochial Vicar
- Father Denis O'Sullivan
- Father John Griffin — In Residence
- Deacon Pat Barnes
- Deacon Tom Nangle
- Deacon Randy Kokke
- Maureen Rudder — Parish Secretary
- Mimi Hill
- Elizabeth Harris
- Emily Oh — Elementary Religious Education Coordinator
- Pat Barnes — Senior Deacon
Faith Formation & Catechesis
St. James' Family and Faith Formation encompasses religious instruction for elementary school students (ERE, grades 1–6) as well as junior high and high school students (SRE, grades 7–12). The parish also offers OCIA, Bible Study, and other adult enrichment programs held periodically. ERE and SRE classes meet weekly on Wednesdays in the St. James Parish Center.
Elementary Religious Education (ERE)
ERE serves children in 1st through 6th grades through a Scripture-based program delivered in collaboration with parents. The Sacrament of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are prepared through a combined two-year sequence beginning in 1st grade, with the sacraments received in 2nd grade. Contact: Emily Oh at [email protected].
- Grades 1–6
- Wednesday 2:30–4:00 pm in the Parish Center
- Coordinator: Emily Oh ([email protected])
Secondary Religious Education (SRE)
SRE offers junior-high and high-school students opportunities to learn the faith, serve others, and grow as Catholics. The program features Confirmation preparation, small faith-learning groups (Bible, the Mass, Theology of the Body, Catholic Social Teaching, FAQs), service projects, social and prayer activities, leadership with ERE, and participation in parish Masses and ministries. Contact: Elizabeth Harris at [email protected].
- Grades 7–12
- Wednesday 7:00–8:30 pm (optional 6:30 pm pizza & hangout)
- Coordinator: Elizabeth Harris ([email protected])
- Confirmation preparation is part of SRE
OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
OCIA prepares non-Catholics and non-confirmed Catholics for full communion with the Church. It welcomes those never baptized in any faith, those baptized in another Christian tradition, and baptized Catholics seeking Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. Contact: [email protected] (Coordinator Julie Parnow).
Bible Study
Bible study offers parishioners the chance to focus on specific scriptural topics in small groups. For information, contact Deacon Pat at [email protected].
Parish Ministries
St. James offers a wide network of lay-led ministries for service, prayer, fellowship, and formation. The parish invites newcomers to find a place to pray, serve, and belong through one or more of these groups.
- Adult Faith Sharing
- Altar Servers (4th grade through high school)
- Music Ministry (two Sunday choirs at 9:00 am and 10:30 am)
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Knights of Columbus (Council 1586: kofc1586.org)
- St. James Women's Group
- Bereavement Group
- Italian Catholic Federation
- Prayer Quilt Ministry (Prayers & Squares Chapter 868, est. 2009)
- Gardening Ministry
- Family History Group
- The Giving Tree (Advent outreach)
- Birthright of Petaluma
- Pray the Rosary
Prayer Quilt Ministry
St. James Church is home to Chapter 868 of Prayers & Squares International. A prayer quilt is a 'gift of love and prayer for someone in special need' and a statement of faith in God's power to comfort, strengthen, and heal. St. James started this ministry in 2009 and has blessed and distributed more than 588 quilts. To join or to request a quilt, call the parish office at 762-4256.
Memorial Garden & Mary Garden
The Memorial Garden, near the fountain by the church entry, features memorial bricks purchased by parishioners to honor loved ones; new bricks are added twice a year. The parish has also added a Mary Garden community garden. Contact the parish office to order a memorial brick.
The Giving Tree
During Advent, this ministry collects gift cards (Target and local grocery stores) for needy families at five local schools and the Petaluma People Services Center. Checks can also be donated; information is shared in the bulletin beginning each November.
Music Ministry
St. James has two Sunday choirs: one sings at the 9:00 am Mass and the other at the 10:30 am Mass. Parishioners are invited to add their voice or musical talents to the parish's liturgies and other services.
Visit & Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. James by phone at (707) 762-4256 or by email at [email protected]. The parish office is located at the church. The mailing address is 125 Sonoma Mountain Pkwy, Petaluma, CA. The parish publishes a weekly bulletin with current announcements, schedules, and ministry updates.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Charles O'Leary
First pastor; Irish-born; served at founding/early years.
- Fr. Michael Cleary
Second pastor; Irish-born.
- Fr. Michael Culligan
Third pastor; Irish-born.
- Fr. Gerard Gormley
Fourth and current pastor; Irish-born.