About St. John of God · San Francisco, California
St. John of God Catholic Church is a small, mission-driven Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, located at 1290 Fifth Avenue in San Francisco's Inner Sunset/Lake Merced area (ZIP 94122), just across the street from the UCSF Medical Center at Parnassus. Founded on January 24, 1967, the parish is unique among city parishes for its dual vocation as a worshipping Catholic community and as the official spiritual-care and Newman Center partner of the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center and its affiliated hospitals. The parish lives out the charism of its patron, St. John of God — patron saint of hospitals, the sick, nurses, booksellers, and firefighters — through daily Mass, a robust Hospital Eucharistic Ministry, a sanctuary commitment to Central American refugees, and a long list of parish ministries from RCIA and faith formation to Habitat for Humanity and the San Francisco Food Bank.
- Established
- 1967
- Patron
- St. John of God (Portuguese-born Spanish saint, 1495–1550; founder of the Brothers Hospitallers of St. John of God; patron of hospitals, the sick, nurses, booksellers, and firefighters)
- Rector
- Fr. Narcis Kabipi (Parish Administrator and Hospital Chaplain)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of San Francisco
Why belong here
St. John of God is a small but deeply intentional parish where nearly every parishioner knows each other and finds a ministry to plug into. Its unique mission — bringing the Eucharist and pastoral care directly to the bedsides of patients at UCSF Medical Center — means that members don't just attend Mass here; they carry Communion to the sick, walk alongside refugees through the Sanctuary Committee, mentor youth in faith formation, build homes with Habitat for Humanity, and feed the hungry through the San Francisco Food Bank. If you are looking for a Catholic parish in San Francisco where the Gospel of charity, social justice, and welcome is not just preached but practiced — and where a daily 12:10 PM Mass and a vibrant Sunday liturgy feed both a neighborhood community and a major teaching hospital — St. John of God is a singular place to belong.
Mass times at St. John of God
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Reconciliation by appointment
- Reconciliation as requested
Adoration times
- First Friday of each month: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, following the 12:10 PM Mass
History of St. John of God Parish
St. John of God was established by the Archdiocese of San Francisco on January 24, 1967, after the Archdiocese purchased what had been a Lutheran church building on Fifth Avenue in 1965. The parish was created with a dual purpose: to provide spiritual care for patients, families, and staff at the UCSF Medical Center and its affiliated hospitals, and to serve as a Newman Center for UCSF students and faculty. Fr. John Ring was the founding pastor. In 1986 the parish declared itself a Public Sanctuary for refugees fleeing war-torn El Salvador and Guatemala — a commitment it has maintained for nearly four decades through the Sanctuary Committee's education, advocacy, and direct aid work. The parish celebrated its 57th anniversary in 2024.
- 1965 — Archdiocese of San Francisco purchases the former Lutheran church building at 1290 Fifth Avenue.
- January 24, 1967 — Parish officially established; Fr. John Ring installed as first pastor.
- 1986 — Parish declares itself a Public Sanctuary for Salvadoran and Guatemalan refugees.
- Pastors have included Fr. John Ring (founding), Rev. Thomas L. Seagrave (honored at a 2016 farewell reception), Fr. Narcis Kabipi (current Administrator), and Fr. Te Van Nguyen (current Parochial Vicar).
- 57th anniversary celebrated in 2024 (1967–2024).
Our Mission and Patron Saint
The parish's mission statement reads: "Following the dedication of Saint John of God to healthcare workers caring for the poor and the sick, we walk the same path to minister to patients and their families, hospital staff and faculty in the University of California San Francisco Medical Center and surrounding community to help meet Jesus Christ through our actions, charity, transparency, social justice, and inclusiveness." St. John of God (1495–1550) was a Portuguese-born Spanish religious who founded the Brothers Hospitallers of St. John of God and is venerated as the patron saint of hospitals, nurses, the sick, booksellers, and firefighters — fitting patrons for a parish whose vocation centers on hospital chaplaincy and Eucharistic ministry to the sick.
- Patron: St. John of God (1495–1550), feast day March 8.
- Core values named by the parish: charity, transparency, social justice, and inclusiveness.
- Prophetic and inclusive Catholic community identity affirmed in the parish's own vision statement.
Parish Staff and Pastoral Leadership
The pastoral team of St. John of God is intentionally small, reflecting the parish's size and its unique hospital ministry. The current Parish Administrator and Hospital Chaplain is Fr. Narcis Kabipi, a priest of the Diocese of Bunda in Tanzania who has been active in the Archdiocese of San Francisco since 1998. The Parochial Vicar and Hospital Chaplain is Fr. Te Van Nguyen, who also serves the Vietnamese Catholic community and resides at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. Both priests split their time between the parish church on Fifth Avenue and the UCSF Medical Center across the street. Earlier hospital chaplains who served the parish include Capuchin friars Fr. Alan Wilson, O.F.M., Cap. and Fr. Martin Haggins, O.F.M., Cap., and Associate Chaplain Harriett Kelley.
- Fr. Narcis Kabipi — Parish Administrator and Hospital Chaplain
- Fr. Te Van Nguyen — Parochial Vicar and Hospital Chaplain
- Tracy Thompson — Parish Administrative Assistant / Secretary
- Caroline Forrester and Marilu Illenberger — Office Support
- Jessica Flores — Bookkeeper
- Marilu Illenberger — Bulletin Editor
- Phil Thurman — Custodian / General Maintenance
- Joe Humphreys — Webmaster
- Paul Riofski — Music Director
- Lynette Castiglione, Debbie Feliz, Chuck Witherell, Gilda Witherell — Pastoral Council
- Bill Becker, Susan Fox, Dave Freitas, Bob Gajewski — Finance Council
Hospital Eucharistic Ministry at UCSF
The signature ministry of St. John of God is its Hospital Eucharistic Ministry: trained volunteer Eucharistic Ministers carry daily Communion from the parish church to the patients of UCSF Medical Center at Parnassus and its affiliated hospitals. Volunteer ministers commit approximately 1½ hours weekly or monthly, and training is provided on a one-to-one basis. The Sunday Mass celebrated inside Moffitt Hospital (Room 1015, 12:10 PM, telecast on Channel 24) extends this ministry to patients who are unable to leave their rooms. The program is coordinated by Associate Chaplain Harriett Kelley.
- Daily Communion visits to UCSF patients by volunteer ministers
- Sunday Mass celebrated in Moffitt Hospital, Room 1015, telecast on Channel 24
- Approximately 1½ hours per week or month commitment expected of volunteers
- One-to-one training provided for new ministers
- Coordinated by Harriett Kelley, Associate Chaplain
Faith Formation, Youth, and Sacramental Preparation
St. John of God offers a full sacramental and faith-formation program for both children and adults. Religious Youth Instruction (RYI) — formerly CCD — guides children from kindergarten through early high school in developing a Catholic faith-life and preparing for the sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation. The parish is actively seeking volunteers to teach grades K–9 (training provided). For adults, the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is a four-period journey — Pre-Catechumenate, Catechumenate, Purification and Enlightenment, and Mystagogia — welcoming the un-baptized, Christians from other traditions, and baptized Catholics who wish to complete the Sacraments of Initiation. Marriage Preparation is directed by Susan Collins and requires six months of advance preparation for an in-church ceremony; infant Baptisms are scheduled by contacting the rectory at least one month in advance.
- Religious Youth Instruction (RYI) / Faith Formation — grades K through 9
- Sacramental prep: First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) — four-period process culminating at the Easter Vigil
- Marriage Preparation — six months of advance preparation required
- Infant Baptism — contact the rectory at least one month prior
- Anointing of the Sick available on request
Music Ministry and Liturgy
Music at St. John of God is led by Music Director Paul Riofski, who also directs the Liturgy Committee along with parish lay leaders. The parish choir welcomes singers and instrumentalists of all ages, voices, and experience levels — no prior vocal training or ability to read musical notation is required. Rehearsals are typically held at 7:30 PM on the second Friday and the fourth Monday of each month, with additional rehearsals scheduled as needed. The choir currently incorporates keyboard, guitar, flute, and a children's string quartet, but all instruments are welcome. The Liturgy Committee meets on the first Monday of the month (September through May) in the rectory kitchen and plans liturgies for the liturgical seasons, holy days, special feasts, and parish events.
- Music Director: Paul Riofski ([email protected], 415-517-4647)
- Rehearsals: 7:30 PM, 2nd Friday and 4th Monday of each month
- Instruments currently used: keyboard, guitar, flute, children's string quartet
- Open to all ages and experience levels
- Liturgy Committee meets 1st Monday of the month (Sept.–May)
Sanctuary Committee and Peace & Justice Outreach
In 1986 the parish declared itself a Public Sanctuary for refugees fleeing the wars in El Salvador and Guatemala. Through its Sanctuary Committee, St. John of God continues that work today — raising awareness through liturgies and educational events, supporting local organizations like CARECEN (Central American Refugee Center), and contributing to international projects such as part of the salary of a health promoter in Guarjila, El Salvador. The parish regularly commemorates the Central American martyrs: Archbishop Óscar Romero, the four U.S. churchwomen killed in El Salvador, and the six Jesuits and their collaborators murdered at the Universidad Centroamericana. The parish also writes letters to Congress advocating for humane immigration legislation, family unification, and closure of the former School of the Americas at Fort Benning, Georgia.
- Public Sanctuary declaration: 1986
- Initial focus: resettlement assistance, legal immigration to Canada, asylum applications
- Ongoing support: CARECEN, health promoter in Guarjila, El Salvador
- Annual commemoration of Central American martyrs (Romero, the four U.S. churchwomen, the UCA Jesuits)
- Advocacy: immigration reform, closure of the former School of the Americas
- Contact: Judy Liteky, Sherri Maurin, Linda Vossler Swan
Parish Outreach and Social Ministries
Beyond the Sanctuary Committee, St. John of God parishioners serve the wider Bay Area through several established outreach partnerships. The San Francisco Food Bank program — known as "Meal-a-Month" — asks parishioners to bring specific food items each Sunday; the food is picked up and distributed by the Food Bank, and the parish schedules two to three work days at the Food Bank each year. The parish also supports the Diamond Youth Shelter, an emergency overnight shelter for young people ages 12–17, and sends volunteer work crews to Habitat for Humanity build sites. Other ministries and parish organizations the community is involved with include Project Open Hand (serving seniors), Voice from the West, Women's Advocacy, Cursillo, and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings held on the parish grounds.
- San Francisco Food Bank — Meal-a-Month collection + parish work days
- Diamond Youth Shelter — emergency overnight shelter for ages 12–17
- Habitat for Humanity — volunteer build crews (coordinator: Ken Hoegger)
- Project Open Hand — meals for seniors
- Cursillo
- Voice from the West
- Women's Advocacy
- Alcoholics Anonymous meetings hosted at the parish
Parish Community Life and Hospitality
Because the parish is small, community life at St. John of God is intentionally relational. Sunday Morning Hospitality — coffee, tea, juice, and pastries served in the Parish Hall after the 9:30 and 11:30 AM Masses — is a weekly gathering point. The Welcome Committee greets newcomers and visitors each Sunday, and parishioners stay connected through seasonal events: the annual Christmas Party, the St. Patrick's Day dinner (a major fundraiser organized by Werner Schmidt), pot-luck dinners throughout the year, and a community weekend retreat at CYO Camp near Occidental in Sonoma County, traditionally held the weekend after Labor Day.
- Sunday Morning Hospitality after the 9:30 and 11:30 AM Masses
- Welcome Committee (Kathy & Ken Hoegger)
- Annual St. Patrick's Day dinner fundraiser
- Christmas Party and parish pot-luck dinners
- CYO Camp Community Weekend, Occidental (Sonoma County), weekend after Labor Day
- Church Decoration and Landscaping committees tend the building and gardens year-round
Administration, Finance, and Parish Office
The parish is administered day-to-day by a small office staff supported by a Finance Committee, Pastoral Council, and the Archdiocese of San Francisco. The Archdiocese provides a monthly stipend of approximately $3,534 that partially pays the salaries of Fr. Kabipi and Fr. Te for their hospital ministry Masses and sacraments at UCSF Medical Center. As of mid-2024 the parish was operating at a slight monthly deficit (e.g. June 2024 income $16,341 vs. budgeted expenses $17,085) and depends on the generosity of parishioners and online giving through Vanco and the new stjohnofgod-sf.org portal. Parish office hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (some bulletins list 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM), and Reconciliation is available by appointment at other times.
- Parish Office hours: Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (or 1:30 PM per some bulletins)
- Finance Committee: Bill Becker, Susan Fox, Dave Freitas, Bob Gajewski
- Archdiocesan monthly support: ~$3,534 toward priests' hospital ministry salaries
- Online giving via Vanco (sjog.net/donate) and the new stjohnofgod-sf.org giving portal
- New parish website launched at stjohnofgod-sf.org (sjog.net continues as bulletin archive)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John Ring1967 – (first pastor)
Installed as founding pastor when the parish was officially established on January 24, 1967.
- Rev. Thomas L. "Tom" Seagrave
Long-serving pastor of St. John of God; honored at a parish pot-luck reception on February 7, 2016 after decades of ministry. Listed as pastor in the 2008–2009 Ministry Guide.
- Fr. Narcis Kabipicurrent (as of 2024)
Parish Administrator and Hospital Chaplain; priest of the Diocese of Bunda, Tanzania, active in the Archdiocese since 1998 per the 2024-25 Archdiocesan Directory.
- Fr. Te Van Nguyencurrent (as of 2024)
Parochial Vicar and Hospital Chaplain; also serves the Vietnamese Community, with residence at St. Thomas the Apostle Church.