About St. Joseph · Pinole, California
St. Joseph Church is a Catholic parish in Pinole, California, in the Diocese of Oakland, that worships at 837 Tennent Avenue and serves more than 3,500 families (over 10,000 individuals). Its roots stretch back to 1881, when the first small wooden church was built on what is now the rectory site; the Catholic community here was long a mission of St. Paul Church in San Pablo and then of St. Patrick in Rodeo before being constituted its own parish in 1947. Today the parish offers daily Mass, a Spanish-language Mass, a vibrant faith formation program for children and youth, RCIA for adults, and the parish St. Joseph School (preschool through 8th grade).
- Established
- 1947
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Geoffrey Baraan
- Diocese
- Diocese of Oakland
Why belong here
St. Joseph is a large, multigenerational parish of more than 3,500 families that takes seriously both its history — more than 140 years of Catholic worship in Pinole — and its present-day call to serve. Parishioners can participate in daily Mass in English and a weekly Spanish Mass, send their children to the parish school (preschool through 8th grade) or the Faith Formation program, walk adults through the RCIA process, and join a wide range of ministries, devotions, and outreach efforts. The parish actively livestreams its liturgies and offers online giving, making it easy for busy families and newcomers to stay connected.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Parish History
Catholic life in Pinole began in 1881 with a small wooden church built on the site of today's rectory. The community was first a mission of St. Paul Church in San Pablo, then — beginning in 1923 — a mission of the newly formed St. Patrick Church in Rodeo. World War II-era industry brought a flood of new residents, and on September 4, 1947 Fr. Flatley of St. Patrick wrote Archbishop John J. Mitty of San Francisco that 'Pinole could take care of itself.' Soon after, St. Joseph was constituted a parish in its own right. Over more than 125 years of worship and more than 75 years as a parish, St. Joseph has grown into a community of over 3,500 families and 10,000 individuals, served by a long line of pastors whose building projects, pastoral initiatives, and parish events have shaped the church. The parish also remembers the Ohlone people and the city's namesake — 'pinole,' an acorn-and-seed meal given to starving Spanish explorers in the 18th century.
- 1881: First wooden St. Joseph Church built on the present rectory site.
- 1923: Pinole becomes a mission of St. Patrick Church in Rodeo.
- 1947: St. Joseph constituted as an independent parish.
- 1950: Fr. Dennis Glennon builds a new church and rectory.
- 1962–63: Fr. Thomas Collins oversees construction of St. Joseph School.
- 1966–67: The church is enlarged under Fr. Collins.
- 1998–2005: Fr. Quang Minh Dong builds the middle school wing, renovates the sanctuary, and installs the baptismal pool.
Parish Staff & Clergy
St. Joseph is currently pastored by Fr. Geoffrey Baraan, who is assisted by Parochial Vicar Fr. Francisco Figueroa-Esquer and Permanent Deacon Rev. Mr. Ben Agustin. Day-to-day parish operations are handled by a team that includes a business manager, faith formation director, youth ministry coordinator, music director, bookkeeper/office assistant, and a corps of parish center volunteers.
- Pastor: Rev. Geoffrey Baraan — (510) 741-4900 Ext. 1002
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Francisco Figueroa-Esquer
- Permanent Deacon: Rev. Mr. Ben Agustin — (510) 388-1551, [email protected]
- Business Manager: Aura Mendieta — Ext. 1009, [email protected]
- Faith Formation Director / RCIA Coordinator: Christine Suarez — Ext. 1008, [email protected]
- Youth Ministry & Confirmation Coordinator: Teena Posas — Ext. 1010, [email protected]
- Office Assistant / Bookkeeper: Sr. Christine Le — Ext. 1006, [email protected]
- Music Director: Michael Chio — Ext. 1007, [email protected]
- Parish Center Volunteers: Mary Ann Albright, Mary Ellen Gillis, Zenaida Cuizon, Marita Tioseco, Estella Corona
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish Faith Formation program provides weekly religious instruction and spiritual formation for children in grades 1 through 6, with a curriculum aimed at helping them develop a lifelong relationship with God. Classes run from September through May and include seasonal celebrations and special activities such as a rosary-making project and a Christian commemoration of the Passover meal. Children must now complete two years of faith formation before receiving First Communion.
- Spanish classes: grades 1–6, First & Second Year Sacramental Prep, every Wednesday 4:45 PM–6:00 PM at St. Joseph School
- English classes: grades 1–6, First & Second Year Sacramental Prep and regular grade levels, every Wednesday 6:30 PM–7:45 PM
- Grades 7 & 8 (Confirmation/Y Ministry): every Wednesday 6:30 PM–7:45 PM
- Director of Religious Education: Christine R. Suarez — (510) 741-4900 Ext. 1004
- Registration forms available at the Parish Center, 2100 Pear Street, Pinole
RCIA / Catechumenate for Adults
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is the parish's communal process for initiating new members into the Catholic Church, restored by the Second Vatican Council as the normal way adults prepare for baptism. It moves through the Inquiry Period, the Catechumenate, the Period of Purification and Enlightenment (with the Rite of Election at the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland), and the Easter Vigil where the Elect receive Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist, followed by a period of Mystagogy.
- Contact: Parish Center, (510) 741-4900 or [email protected]
- Faith Formation Director / RCIA Coordinator: Christine Suarez
- Open to unbaptized adults, baptized Christians seeking full communion, and older children
- Registration opens in summer each year
Youth Ministry & Confirmation
The parish runs a dedicated Youth Ministry and Confirmation program for students in grades 7 and 8, using the Wednesday evening Faith Formation slot and additional programming throughout the year. The youth ministry also maintains its own social media presence to keep teens and parents in touch with events and registration.
- Youth Ministry & Confirmation Coordinator: Teena Posas — [email protected]
- Grades 7 & 8: Wednesdays 6:30 PM–7:45 PM
- Social: Facebook /StJosephChurchPInole/, Facebook /SJYMPinole/, Instagram @sjym2100, Twitter @sjym
St. Joseph School
St. Joseph School is a private, Catholic, co-educational parish school serving preschool through 8th grade at 1961 Plum Street, Pinole (next door to the church). It is open to children of all faiths and emphasizes the Christian growth of each child alongside a well-rounded academic, technological, social, cultural, and physical education.
- Address: 1961 Plum Street, Pinole, CA 94564
- Phone: (510) 724-0242 | Fax: (510) 724-9886
- Website: www.stjosephpinole.org
- Grades: Preschool through 8th grade
- Pastoral link: Rev. Geoffrey Baraan, Pastor
- Principal / Custodian of Records: Natalie Lenz-Acuña
- Preschool Director: Natalie Lenz-Acuña — ext. 2243
- Technology Director: Andy Gutierrez — ext. 2255
Music & Faith Hour
The parish Music Ministry is led by Music Director Michael Chio. In addition to the regular liturgical schedule, St. Joseph hosts 'Faith Hour,' a parish faith-sharing program at 7 PM hosted by Fr. Geoffrey Baraan and Myrtle Dawana with musical direction by Michael Chio.
- Music Director: Michael Chio — [email protected]
- Faith Hour: 7 PM, hosted by Fr. Geoffrey Baraan and Myrtle Dawana
Getting Involved
Beyond Mass and formation, parishioners can participate through online giving, livestreamed liturgies, the Parish Council, and a broad range of parish-center ministries. The Parish Center is staffed by a team of volunteers (Mary Ann Albright, Mary Ellen Gillis, Zenaida Cuizon, Marita Tioseco, and Estella Corona) and is the main point of contact for getting connected.
- Online Giving via the parish website
- Livestream access through the parish website
- Parish Council participation
- Parish Center volunteer opportunities
- Contact the Parish Center at (510) 741-4900 or [email protected]
Visit, Contact & Directions
The church is located at 837 Tennent Avenue, Pinole, CA 94564, and is easily reached from I-80 via the Pinole Valley Road exit (#22). The parish business office can be reached by phone or email, and the parish also maintains a public Facebook page for news and announcements.
- Address: 837 Tennent Avenue, Pinole, CA 94564
- Phone: (510) 741-4900
- Email: [email protected]
- From I-80 (South or North): take Pinole Valley Road exit (#22), turn left onto Pinole Valley Rd, continue ~0.6 mi to Tennent Ave; church is on the right.
- Facebook: facebook.com/StJosephChurchPInole/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Dennis Glennon1947–1955
First pastor; built a new church and rectory in 1950.
- Fr. Joseph Smith1955–1956
- Fr. Thomas Collins1956–1972
Built St. Joseph School in 1962–63; enlarged the church in 1966–67.
- Fr. Patrick Finnegan
Established one of the first functioning parish councils in the diocese.
- Msgr. Frank Maurovich1972–1973
Short administration.
- Fr. John Crumlish1973–1979
The popular Irish tenor; consolidated parish ministries.
- Fr. Thomas Gallagher1979–1982
Landscaped the church block.
- Fr. Thomas Ryan1982–1988
Revived the Parish Council; renewed the church roof and redecorated inside and out.
- Fr. Paddy Bishop, S.M.1988–1992
Known as 'Father Oktoberfest'; served as parish administrator.
- Fr. Ray Sacca1992–1996
- Fr. Michael Galvan1996–1998
- Fr. Quang Minh Dong1998–2005
Built the new St. Joseph Middle School; renovated the sanctuary; installed a baptismal pool.
- Fr. Paul Schmidt2005–2014
- Fr. John Direen2014–2016
- Fr. Geoffrey Baraan
Current pastor; joined by Parochial Vicar Fr. Francisco Figueroa-Esquer.