About St. Joseph · Auburn, California
St. Joseph Catholic Church is the historic Catholic parish of Auburn, California, established in 1911 and part of the Diocese of Sacramento in the Mother Lode Deanery. According to the parish's own welcome statement, it is an 'open and loving diverse parish community united by our faith in Jesus Christ, continuing His mission through our prayerful liturgies, faith formation, evangelization, and outreach to the community.' The parish worships at 1162 Lincoln Way in downtown Auburn, offers Mass in both English and Spanish, and is closely twinned with St. Joseph School (K-8) on Atwood Road and with the newer sister parish of St. Teresa of Avila, with which it shares religious education.
- Established
- 1911
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Arbel S. Cabasagan
- Diocese
- Diocese of Sacramento (Mother Lode Deanery)
Why belong here
St. Joseph Auburn is a long-established Catholic parish (since 1911) that still lives out its founding mission of prayer, faith formation, evangelization and outreach in the historic Mother Lode foothill community. It offers a full weekly schedule of Masses in English and Spanish, a thriving K-8 Catholic school, a complete faith formation program for children and adults (including Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, RCIA/OCIA, and Confirmation prep), weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays, and a deep bench of lay ministries — lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, music, altar servers, pro-life, jail ministry, the Altar Society, Bible study, and a parish thrift store — making it easy for newcomers to plug into parish life.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–4:00 PM
- Tuesday and Wednesday by appointment
Adoration times
- Thursday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (some diocesan listings show 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM)
Parish History & Identity
St. Joseph Parish traces its roots to the first Catholic church in Auburn (1859, dedicated to St. Teresa of Avila), which became a parish in 1886. In March 1911 the present Lincoln Way church was built, the 'St. Joseph' name was transferred to Auburn, and the older St. Teresa title was suppressed. A Catholic school was added in 1947 under Fr. Sheehy and relocated to Atwood Road in 1980. The parish now operates alongside its sister parish of St. Teresa of Avila (est. 1994) and St. Joseph School (K-8).
- Founded 1911 on Lincoln Way, Auburn
- Mother Lode Deanery, Diocese of Sacramento
- Diocesan parish directory lists established year 1911, Placer County
- Parish of origin for St. Joseph School on Atwood Road
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is pastored by Rev. Arbel S. Cabasagan, who also serves as Dean of the Mother Lode Deanery. He is assisted by Parochial Vicar Rev. Michael Estaris and Deacon Mark Ruiz. Rev. Glenn Dare is Pastor Emeritus. Lay staff include Director of Religious Education and Youth Ministry Jen Alcorn, Bookkeeper Rhonda Bricker, Parish Secretary Maria Pena, and Office Housekeeping by Floyd Royce; the Music Coordinator position is listed as 'Now Hiring'.
- Pastor: Rev. Arbel S. Cabasagan
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Michael Estaris
- Deacon: Mark Ruiz
- Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Glenn Dare
- DRE & Youth Ministry: Jen Alcorn
- Bookkeeper: Rhonda Bricker
- Parish Secretary: Maria Pena
- Office Housekeeping: Floyd Royce
Faith Formation for Children & Youth
St. Joseph partners with sister parish St. Teresa of Avila to run a comprehensive faith-formation program. Children preparing for First Holy Communion and Confirmation follow the Diocese of Sacramento's required two-year Sacramental Preparation using grade-level books, crafts, and small-group discussions. A Level One Atrium of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is offered for ages 3–6 on Thursdays. The parish also runs the St. Joseph Youth Organization (SJYO) and the 'Dead Theologians Society,' a weekly fellowship and study of the saints for confirmed high-schoolers.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd — Level One Atrium, ages 3–6, Thursdays 9:30–11:30 AM
- First Holy Communion and Confirmation prep (Sun 10:30–11:30)
- 'Seekers' group for youth between sacraments
- Dead Theologians Society (Deanery Youth Group) — Mondays 6–8 PM in the Large Conference Room
- Joint program with St. Teresa of Avila, meeting in St. Teresa's Beatitudes Room
RCIA / OCIA — Becoming Catholic
The parish offers the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA, also called OCIA) for adults and older teens seeking full communion with the Catholic Church, those unbaptized, and baptized Catholics who have not been confirmed. The journey comprises about thirty-five classes — in person and virtually — covering Scripture, Church history, prayer, the Mass and sacraments, and living the Catholic faith. The process culminates in the Easter Vigil with Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist.
- Director: Karen Sheehan, 916.812.3737
- 35-class journey exploring Scripture, prayer, Mass and sacraments
- Welcomes inquirers, catechumens, and candidates for full communion
- Easter Vigil reception of the Sacraments of Initiation
Parish Ministries & Lay Service
St. Joseph Auburn has an unusually wide array of lay ministries, reflecting its 'open and loving diverse parish community' vision. Liturgical ministries include lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, altar servers (Guild of St. Tarcisius), and a Music Ministry with weekly Tuesday evening practice. Outreach and formation ministries include Bible Study, the Pro-Life Ministry, Ministry to the Sick, the Altar Society (cleaning, flowers, Adoration setup), the Garden Committee, the Funeral Reception Ministry, and the Placer County Jail Ministry. Community-building groups include the Special Events Committee (Pancake Breakfast, Donut Sunday, Cajun Dinner, Rummage Sale, E-waste) and a Hispanic Council and Liturgy/Hispanic Community supporting the Spanish Mass.
- Lector Ministry — prayerfully proclaims the Word at Mass
- Music Ministry — cantors, choir, instrumentalists; practice Tuesdays 6:30–8 PM
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist — also bring Communion to the sick and homebound
- Guild of St. Tarcisius — trains altar servers
- Altar Society — Wednesday cleaning crews, daily straightening, floral & Adoration care
- Pro-Life Ministry — meetings 2nd Tuesday, 7 PM in the Large Conference Room
- Placer County Jail Ministry — Sunday noon Liturgy of the Word
- St. Joseph Thrift Store — parish outreach
- Special Events Committee — fund-raising and fellowship events
- Hispanic Council & Liturgy/Hispanic Community
St. Joseph School (K-8)
St. Joseph School is the parish's Catholic elementary school serving grades K-8, located on the Atwood Road campus. It has been part of the parish's educational mission since the school was first built in 1947 under Fr. Sheehy and relocated to the present Atwood Road property in 1980. The school is currently led by Principal Kristen Mendonsa.
- St. Joseph School — 11610 Atwood Road, Auburn, CA 95603
- Phone: (530) 885-4490
- Principal: Kristen Mendonsa
- Grades K-8, Catholic elementary education
Sacraments & Pastoral Care
The parish prepares Catholics of all ages for the sacraments of initiation and provides ongoing pastoral care. Children and youth follow the diocesan two-year Sacramental Preparation for First Communion and Confirmation. Adults journey through RCIA/OCIA. The Ministry to the Sick coordinates Anointing of the Sick, brings Holy Communion to the homebound, and visits local convalescent hospitals — what the parish calls its 'wonderful invisible army' of volunteers.
- Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation (children & youth)
- RCIA/OCIA for adults
- Anointing of the Sick and visits to the homebound and convalescent hospitals
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist bring Communion to those unable to attend Mass
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone at (530) 885-2956 or by email at [email protected]; the Director of Religious Education can be reached at [email protected]. The church is at 1162 Lincoln Way in downtown Auburn, and the school is at 11610 Atwood Road, Auburn, CA 95603.
- Parish office: (530) 885-2956
- Email: [email protected]
- DRE email: [email protected]
- Church: 1162 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA 95603
- School: 11610 Atwood Road, Auburn, CA 95603 — (530) 885-4490
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Glenn Dare
Pastor Emeritus (listed on parish staff and in diocesan directories)