About St. James the Apostle · Fremont, California
St. James the Apostle is a Catholic parish in Fremont, California, in the Diocese of Oakland, served by its long-time pastor Fr. Antony Vazhappilly since June 2007. Founded in April 1972 by Bishop Floyd Begin with Father John Morgan as its first pastor, the community grew from 300 to nearly 900 families under the motto 'Open Mind, Open Heart, Open Door.' The parish worships in a Multi-Purpose Hall that has doubled as a temporary church since 1976, supplemented since 2016 by the Mother Teresa Center built through the parishioners' United We Build campaign. It is a family-oriented community offering daily Mass, a robust CCD/faith formation program, multiple Marian and Eucharistic devotions, ministries such as the Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, St. Vincent de Paul, and an active RCIA, alongside a deepening Filipino and Latin American devotional life.
- Established
- 1972
- Patron
- St. James the Apostle
- Rector
- Fr. Antony Vazhappilly
- Diocese
- Diocese of Oakland
Why belong here
St. James the Apostle is a welcoming, family-sized parish with a pastor who knows his flock and a parishioner-led culture shaped by the motto 'Open Mind, Open Heart, Open Door.' A newcomer can plug into daily Mass, a robust CCD program for children, an active RCIA for adults, weekly Bible study, daily virtual Rosary, and a wide range of Marian and Eucharistic devotions. Practical works of mercy — through St. Vincent de Paul, the Knights of Columbus, and parish fundraising like the Festival, Simbang Gabi, and International Rosary — give members concrete ways to serve. It is also a parish that is literally building its future, with parishioners investing together to construct a permanent church.
Mass times at St. James the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Confessions are available — please contact the Parish Office (510-792-1962) to confirm the current schedule; during Lent expanded Saturday 3:00–3:45pm and Sunday 10:00–10:45pm sessions have been offered, and on First Fridays confessions are heard between Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
Adoration times
- First Friday all-day Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, beginning with the 8:30am Mass, concluding with 7:15pm Benediction and a 7:30pm Healing Mass
- First Friday Holy Hour 6:30pm Rosary → 7:30pm Mass
Our Story: A Parish That Built Its Own Home
St. James the Apostle was established in April 1972 when Bishop Floyd Begin appointed Father John Morgan as founding pastor. The first Sunday Mass was celebrated in May 1972 in the Patterson School Auditorium, with weekday Masses in private homes. In 1976 Bishop Begin dedicated what was always understood to be a temporary Multi-Purpose Hall, which has remained the parish's worship space ever since. Read more about the parish's founding, growth, and pastoral succession under the History section.
- Founded April 1972 by Bishop Floyd Begin
- First Mass: May 1972 in Patterson School Auditorium
- Worship Hall dedicated May 1976
- Motto: 'Open Mind, Open Heart, Open Door'
History
Under founding pastor Fr. John Morgan (1972–1993) and successor Fr. Paul Cleu (1993–2007), the parish paid off its building debt and built up a music program and lay liturgical ministries. Fr. Cleu was assisted by Fr. Domingos Jaques, who celebrated a weekend Mass. In 2007 Fr. Antony Vazhappilly became the third pastor and, with parishioners, launched the United We Build campaign, broke ground on the Mother Teresa Center in 2014, and dedicated the $3 million Center in 2016. Since then, Mass attendance and registered families have more than tripled, to over 1,000 families today, and the parish has begun planning a permanent church.
- Pastors: Fr. John Morgan (1972–1993), Fr. Paul Cleu (1993–2007), Fr. Antony Vazhappilly (2007–present)
- Religious Education started September 1992 under Sister Donna Marie
- Grotto dedicated November 2007 by Bishop John Cummins
- United We Build campaign launched 2008
- Mother Teresa Center dedicated 2016
Sacraments
The parish prepares members for Baptism (last-Saturday celebration after a last-Friday preparation class), First Communion and Confirmation through CCD, and adult initiation through the RCIA process. Reconciliation is heard on Saturdays and by appointment, with expanded Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning times during Lent. The parish also coordinates funerals, marriage, and Anointing of the Sick through the Parish Office at 510-792-1962.
- Baptism preparation: last Friday 6:00–7:30pm; celebration: last Saturday 11:30am
- First Communion / Confirmation via CCD
- RCIA (adults) — contact FrancesAnn McKenney through the Parish Office
- Confession — Saturday and by appointment
- Marriage and Anointing of the Sick — by appointment
Faith Formation (CCD)
Faith Formation (CCD) at St. James the Apostle offers religious education for parish children in levels 1–6, plus First Communion, Confirmation, and Pre-Confirmation cohorts. The program, directed by Sheila Remolar-Reduta, was re-energized in 2007 under Elizabeth Flores and has grown to serve over a hundred children and adults each year. It is currently taught by a dedicated team of volunteer catechists (Kate Dolorito, Ury Gonzalez, Jeanne Di Paola, Nina Galang-Puebla, Hiyas Tungul, Ellen Zaragoza, Van Cabrieto, Ian Ytem, and others) who, until the Mother Teresa Center opened, taught in every available room in the parish complex.
- Faith Formation Director: Sheila Remolar-Reduta ([email protected])
- Levels 1–6, First Communion, Confirmation, Pre-Confirmation
- CCD Logistics Coordinator: Kate Dolorito
Ministries & Organizations
The parish runs a full slate of lay-led ministries under the principle that 'little drops of water make an ocean.' Liturgical roles include Altar Servers, Greeters, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Acolytes, and the Choir. Outreach and spiritual-life ministries include St. Vincent de Paul, the Knights of Columbus (and Bishop Begin Assembly 3546), the Legion of Mary, Divine Mercy devotion, RCIA, and Bible Study. Pastoral and stewardship leadership is provided through the Pastoral Council (Roger Wharton) and Executive Steering Committee (Jim Navarro).
- Altar Servers (Willie Lagos)
- Knights of Columbus (Jappy Francisco) — meetings 3rd Mon 7:30pm; Officer Mtg 1st Mon 7:30pm; Assembly 3546 4th Thu 7:30pm
- Legion of Mary (Judi Domingo, Lu Caron)
- St. Vincent de Paul — [email protected] / 510-796-5494; meetings 2nd Monday 7:00pm
- Divine Mercy (Maria Rapp)
- Pastoral Council — meets 4th Tuesday 7:00pm
Fundraising & Community Events
Parish ministries support the parish's mission through a recurring calendar of community-building events, including an annual Festival, Simbang Gabi (the Filipino Christmas novena of Masses), an International Rosary, and a Dinner Dance. The Gift Shop, staffed after weekend Masses, is itself a parish-ministry venture.
- Annual Festival
- Simbang Gabi at Christmas
- International Rosary
- Dinner Dance
- Gift Shop — Sat 6:00pm & Sun 9:30–11:00am, 1:00pm after Masses
Campus: Multi-Purpose Hall, Mother Teresa Center & Grotto
St. James's campus includes the 1976 Multi-Purpose Hall (used as the temporary worship space), the 2016 Mother Teresa Center (a $3 million, parishioner-funded building for faith formation and meetings, with rental coordinated by Judi Domingo at 510-453-0817), and the Marian Grotto — a meditation garden transformed in 2007 from the lawn between the church and the rectory, with statues of St. James, the Pietà, and Our Lady of Vailankanni.
- Multi-Purpose Hall (built 1976; worship space)
- Mother Teresa Center (dedicated 2016)
- Marian Grotto (dedicated 2007 by Bishop John Cummins)
- Future: a permanent church, via the 'Build Our Church' capital campaign
Getting Involved
Parish membership is open to all, and the parish encourages parishioners to share their time, talent, and treasure. To volunteer, contact the Parish Office at 510-792-1962 during office hours (Mon–Fri 9:00am–12:00 noon; Sundays 9:30am–11:30am), or email [email protected]. Many ministries listed on the site also have direct contacts (see the Ministries page).
- Parish Office: 510-792-1962
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00am–12:00 noon; Sun 9:30–11:30am
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 34700 Fremont Blvd., Fremont, CA 94555
About the Pastor
Fr. Antony Vazhappilly is a priest, poet, and writer who has been pastor of St. James the Apostle since June 9, 2007. He is the author of several books including 'Wasting Time with Jesus,' 'A Marian Handbook,' 'Songs for a Spiritual Journey,' 'Stations of the Cross,' and (co-authored with Rev. Dr. Biju Michael) 'Mary of Nazareth'; his most recent book is 'From A to C.' Under his pastorate St. James has grown from about 300 to over 1,000 families, built the Mother Teresa Center, expanded devotions, and launched the campaign to build a permanent church.
- Pastor since June 9, 2007
- Author of multiple books on Marian and devotional life
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John Morgan1972–1993
Founding pastor appointed by Bishop Floyd Begin; celebrated first Mass May 1972 in Patterson School auditorium; oversaw dedication of Multi-Purpose Hall in 1976.
- Fr. Paul Cleu1993–2007
Expanded music ministry, organized Greeters/Eucharistic Ministers/Lectors/Acolytes; the building debt was paid off under his tenure. Fr. Domingos Jaques assisted with a weekly Mass.
- Fr. Antony Vazhappilly2007–present
Arrived June 9, 2007; author/poet; under his pastorate the parish grew from ~300 to 900+ families, the Mother Teresa Center was built (2016), new devotions were introduced, and the 'Build Our Church' capital campaign was launched.