About St. John Vianney · Walnut Creek, California
St. John Vianney Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Oakland located at 1650 Ygnacio Valley Road in Walnut Creek, California, in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. Established as a parish in 1965, the community gathers around the motto 'To know and love Jesus and follow Christ in compassionate service,' offering daily and weekend Masses, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, perpetual and First Friday Eucharistic Adoration, faith formation for children and adults, youth ministry, music and worship programs, Small Christian Communities, and outreach through St. Vincent de Paul. The parish is led by Pastor Rev. William Rosario with Parochial Vicar Rev. Rolando Bartolay and shares faith-formation work with neighboring St. Mary's Church in downtown Walnut Creek.
- Established
- 1965
- Patron
- St. John Vianney (Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney, Curé d'Ars)
- Rector
- Rev. William Rosario (Parochial Administrator / Pastor)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Oakland
Why belong here
St. John Vianney is a welcoming, mid-sized suburban parish with a clear evangelizing mission — 'To know and love Jesus and follow Christ in compassionate service.' It offers a full daily and weekly liturgical life (weekday Mass with Rosary at 8:00am, Saturday Vigil, three Sunday Masses including a contemporary youth Mass, daily Reconciliation, Perpetual Adoration chapel devotions, First Friday Adoration, and a weekly Contemplative/Lectio Divina group), a robust faith-formation program for every age — Children's Liturgy of the Word, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium, OCIA/RCIA for adults and children, youth and Confirmation ministry, and Small Christian Communities — plus outreach through St. Vincent de Paul and a Hospital Eucharistic Ministry that brings Communion to patients at the neighboring John Muir Hospital. Visitors are greeted at an information desk, given a welcome gift, and invited into a community that explicitly welcomes non-Catholics and families of all shapes.
Mass times at St. John Vianney
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday – Saturday: 8:15am (before the 8:30am daily Mass)
- Saturday: 4:00pm – 4:45pm (before the 5:00pm Vigil Mass)
- Or by appointment — call the Parish Office (925) 939-7911
- First Friday: Reconciliation is offered as part of the 6:00pm Adoration & Mass
Adoration times
- First Friday of the month: 6:00pm — Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation and Mass (next listed: Friday February 6 at 6pm per Jan 25, 2026 bulletin)
- Immediately following the daily 8:30am Mass — Divine Mercy Chaplet in front of the Blessed Sacrament
About the Parish
St. John Vianney is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Oakland located on Ygnacio Valley Road in Walnut Creek, California. Founded in 1965, the parish proclaims its mission as 'To know and love Jesus and follow Christ in compassionate service' and its current theme 'Disciples making Disciples.' It serves a diverse suburban community in the East Bay and offers a full sacramental, devotional, educational, and outreach life. The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00pm).
- Diocese of Oakland
- Motto: 'To know and love Jesus and follow Christ in compassionate service.'
- Theme: 'Disciples making Disciples'
- Parish founded 1965
- Golden Jubilee celebrated 2015
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. John Vianney offers a layered faith formation program rooted in the conviction that the family is the 'domestic church.' Programs serve every age: Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Montessori-based Atrium, Levels 1 and 2), Children's Liturgy of the Word at the Sunday morning Masses, Family-Based Faith Formation (monthly family sessions with take-home activities), Middle School and High School Faith Formation (held at neighboring St. Mary's), Confirmation preparation, Adult Faith Formation, and Small Christian Communities. The parish also runs the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) for adults exploring Catholicism and a parallel Rite of Christian Initiation for Children ages 6–18.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd — Level 1 (ages 3–6) and Level 2 (ages 6–9)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (8:30 & 10:30am Sunday Masses)
- Family-Based Faith Formation — monthly gatherings
- Middle School / High School Faith Formation at St. Mary's Church
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- RCIC — Rite of Christian Initiation for Children ages 6–18
- Adult Faith Formation — Director Tim Mannix
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
The Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry, Marlene Lee, oversees faith formation, Confirmation preparation, and youth community life. The Sunday 5:00pm Mass is specifically oriented to teens and young adults, featuring more contemporary music. Middle and High School Faith Formation classes meet at St. Mary's Church in downtown Walnut Creek. Training is provided for adult faith-filled leaders who want to share their faith with the next generation.
- Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry: Marlene Lee (ext. 108)
- Confirmation preparation
- Sunday 5:00pm Youth & Teen Mass
- MS/HS Faith Formation held at St. Mary's Church (2051 Mt. Diablo Blvd.)
Music & Liturgy
Music ministry at St. John Vianney is led by the Music Ministry Director and Accompanist & Director of Contemporary Choir John Dandan, with Claire Chaix serving as Director of Sacred Music for St. John Vianney and Charlene Escalante as Music Ministry Director at St. Mary's. The parish invests in quality liturgical music — a point Bishop Barber highlighted during a parish Confirmation — with both traditional hymns at the Sunday morning Masses and contemporary praise-and-worship at the 5:00pm Youth Mass. A Live Streaming team volunteers to broadcast Masses online.
- Music Ministry Director: John Dandan
- Director of Sacred Music, SJV: Claire Chaix
- Music Ministry Director, St. Mary's: Charlene Escalante
- Sunday 5:00pm Mass features contemporary praise-and-worship
- Livestream of weekend and weekday Masses on sjvianney.org
Outreach & Charity
The parish lives its mission of 'compassionate service' through several outreach arms. The St. Vincent de Paul Conference (925-239-9251, call Monday morning for an appointment) serves neighbors in need. The Hospital Eucharistic Ministry sends trained lay ministers to bring Holy Communion and prayer to Catholic patients at the adjacent John Muir Medical Center (contact Christopher Frick, 925-448-7221). Knights of Columbus host parish fellowship events such as bingo nights, and the parish actively promotes Small Christian Communities as a way of supporting parishioners through life's ups and downs.
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference (925-239-9251)
- Hospital Eucharistic Ministry at John Muir Hospital
- Knights of Columbus — parish council
- Small Christian Communities (SCCs)
Devotions & Prayer Life
Beyond the Mass schedule, the parish cultivates a daily rhythm of prayer. Each morning at 8:00am the community gathers to pray the Holy Rosary for Peace and Healing, followed by daily Mass at 8:30am and the Divine Mercy Chaplet immediately after. First Fridays feature Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, and Mass at 6:00pm. A weekly Contemplative Prayer group (Lectio Divina) meets Tuesdays at 9:30am in the Rectory Parlor. Healing Masses and other special devotions are scheduled seasonally.
- Daily Rosary at 8:00am for Peace and Healing
- Divine Mercy Chaplet after daily Mass
- First Friday Adoration & Mass (6:00pm)
- Weekly Lectio Divina (Tuesdays 9:30am, Rectory Parlor)
- Healing Mass / Anointing of the Sick
Staff & Clergy
The pastoral team is led by Pastor Rev. William Rosario and Parochial Vicar Rev. Rolando Bartolay (formerly Rev. Osi Modestus Mgbaramuko served as parochial vicar, and retired Deacon Herb Casey continues to assist). The parish also lists Pastor Emeritus Rev. James McGee. Lay staff includes the Pastoral Associate for Administration (Indira Pethebridge), Director of Discipleship and Faith Formation (Shannon Rogers), Director of Youth Ministry (Marlene Lee), Director of Adult Faith Formation (Tim Mannix), Director of Next Gen & Small Faith Groups (Beverly Fung), Music Ministry Director (John Dandan), Steward of Engagement (Jennifer DiSalvo), Bookkeeper (Aileen Baker), Faith Formation Secretary (Michelle Pignataro), Administrative Assistant (Brenda Gonzalez), and long-time Parish Secretary Maryanne V. Richards (retired January 2026 after 14 years).
- Pastor: Rev. William Rosario (ext. 105)
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Rolando Bartolay (ext. 106)
- Pastor Emeritus: Rev. James McGee
- Pastoral Associate for Administration: Indira Pethebridge
- Director of Discipleship and Faith Formation: Shannon Rogers
- Director of Youth Ministry: Marlene Lee
- Director of Adult Faith Formation: Tim Mannix
- Director of Next Gen & Small Faith Groups: Beverly Fung
- Music Ministry Director: John Dandan
- Steward of Engagement: Jennifer DiSalvo
Facilities, Architecture & Campus
The parish occupies a campus on Ygnacio Valley Road across from John Muir Medical Center. The architecture and master plan have been shaped by Aaron Green Associates and Mullen Caulfield, addressing what one project description called 'space at a premium after 15 years of steady growth.' Campus projects have included renovation of the existing Faith Formation Center, new construction of a multi-function Fellowship Center, and seismic/ADA upgrades. In 2016, Huettl Landscape Architecture completed the Mullen Commons Vista — an elliptical seating area, Ashlar-pattern precast paving, and winding path through regional plantings — that today serves as the parish's outdoor hospitality space after Sunday morning Masses.
- Master plan and renovations by Aaron Green Associates and Mullen Caulfield
- Fellowship Center and Faith Formation Center renovations
- Seismic and ADA upgrades
- Mullen Commons Vista outdoor gathering space (2016, Huettl Landscape Architecture)
- Air-conditioned sanctuary; headsets for hearing impaired
Sacraments
The parish prepares and celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Baptisms, First Eucharist, and Confirmation are coordinated through the Faith Formation office. Reconciliation is available daily before Mass and Saturday afternoons. The OCIA process initiates adults and older children into the Church at the Easter Vigil, and Marriage preparation, Anointing of the Sick (offered at Healing Masses), and funeral/bereavement support are available through the Parish Office.
- Baptism
- First Eucharist
- Confirmation
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Matrimony / Marriage
- OCIA (RCIA) and RCIC
- Funerals / Bereavement support
Visiting, Newcomers & Getting Involved
New visitors are greeted at the Information Desk in the lobby and given a welcome gift. Mass lasts about an hour, and dress ranges from jeans to business casual. The church is air-conditioned and offers headsets for the hearing impaired. Hospitality (coffee and donuts) is offered in the Mullen Commons Vista after the 8:30am and 10:30am Sunday Masses. Parish registration is available on the website or in the church narthex; parishioners are invited to share their gifts through the parish's many ministries, and the Stewardship of Engagement team (Jennifer DiSalvo) helps connect newcomers.
- Information Desk welcome gift for newcomers
- Hospitality after 8:30am & 10:30am Sunday Masses (Mullen Commons Vista)
- Parish registration via website or in person
- Steward of Engagement: Jennifer DiSalvo
- Volunteer opportunities in dozens of ministries
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Founding pastor (name not confirmed in retrieved sources)1965–
GCatholic records the parish was established in 1965 in the Diocese of Oakland; the founding pastor's name was not located in the web sources searched.
- Rev. James McGee
Listed as Pastor Emeritus in the September 13, 2015 parish bulletin. Precise tenure years not found in retrieved sources.
- Rev. William Rosariothrough at least 2015 – present
Listed as Pastoral Administrator in the September 13, 2015 bulletin (extension 105) and continues to lead the parish as Pastor/Parochial Administrator as of the January 25, 2026 bulletin.
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