About St. Joseph · Placentia, California
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a parish in Placentia, California, belonging to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange. Its first Mass was celebrated on November 1, 1953, after Bishop of Los Angeles appointed Reverend Francis O'Brien as Administrator to build the new church on five acres on Bradford Avenue. Today the parish runs a school that opened in 1959, offers Mass in English and Spanish, livestreams daily and Sunday Masses, and is guided by Fr. Martin Vu under a vision of inviting all to follow Christ through personal relationships, teamwork, and service with passion and grace.
- Established
- 1953
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Martin Vu (Fr. Martin Vu)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange
Why belong here
St. Joseph welcomes Catholics and seekers through bilingual English/Spanish Masses (including a livestreamed daily Mass and Sunday 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM Spanish Mass) and an active faith-formation track for every age — OCIA for adults, Returning Catholics Come Home, adult Confirmation, Eucharist preparation for children through high school, and a thriving school that opened in 1959. The parish life is built around three values — building personal relationships, working as a team, and serving others with passion and grace — and concrete community-building programs like the Known by Name Weekend, Bible Study, Passages grief ministry, Vacation Bible School, and outreach through St. Vincent de Paul, Knights of Columbus, Birth Choice, Birthright and Catholic Charities.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM
- Wednesday 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (every Second Wednesday of the month)
- A renovated confessional is permanently assigned to retired priest Fr. Eamon O'Gorman (added during the 2024 renovation)
Adoration times
- Thursday 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Benediction at 6:45 PM)
- 1st Friday 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Benediction at 6:45 PM)
Parish History
St. Joseph Catholic Church was founded in the early 1950s to serve Catholics in Placentia who had previously belonged to St. Boniface Parish in Anaheim and then St. Mary's in Fullerton. Two small mission churches were already serving the area — one a mission of St. Mary's and the other Mission Santa Teresita in Atwood — before the new parish was built.
- 1952: Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles appointed Rev. Francis O'Brien as Administrator.
- November 1, 1953: First Mass celebrated at St. Joseph.
- Original church built on 5 acres on Bradford Avenue (across from Valencia High School) at a cost of $68,000.
- September 14, 1959: St. Joseph School opened with four classrooms, two teachers, 37 first graders and a combined 2nd/3rd-grade class of 44; tuition $5/$8/$10 per month for one/two/three children.
- By 2024 the parish was described by the Diocese as 71 years old.
Mission, Vision & Values
The parish's stated Mission is: 'We, the Catholic community of St. Joseph, Placentia, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, center our lives on Jesus Christ. Together we grow as disciples of the Lord in faith and action.' Its Vision is 'To invite all to follow Christ!' and its three Values are building personal relationships, working as a team, and serving others with passion and grace.
Clergy & Staff
Fr. Martin Vu serves as Pastor (Parochial Administrator since July 2024). Rev. Miguel Hernandez is Parochial Vicar. Retired priests living in the expanded rectory include Fr. Eamon O'Gorman (moved in October 2024; ordained for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles after All Hallows Seminary in Dublin, Ireland) and Fr. Steve Frost (next to move in).
- Pastor: Rev. Martin Vu
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Miguel Hernandez
- Retired priest in residence: Fr. Eamon O'Gorman
- Retired priest moving in: Fr. Steve Frost
- Adult Faith Formation / OCIA: Carol Koppenheffer (x221)
- Eucharist prep 2nd–5th grade: Liliana Duran
- Eucharist/Confirmation 6th–11th grade: Eric Brunter
- VBS/communications: Michelle Myers
St. Joseph Catholic School
St. Joseph Catholic School has been on the parish campus since 1959, when it opened with four classrooms and 81 students in K–3. Today it is a K–8 school offering STEM programs, SmartLab, athletics, art/SEL, and faith-based formation. The school participates in regional Catholic-school leadership events and hosts community events such as Tree Lighting and an Alumni Mixer.
- Opened September 14, 1959
- Located on the parish campus at 717 N. Bradford Ave, Placentia
- Phone (714) 579-3791
- Website: https://sjsplacentia.org/
- Features a SmartLab, STEM camps, and Camp Galileo programming
Faith Formation for Children & Youth
Faith formation at St. Joseph is organized by age: Eucharist (First Communion) preparation is offered for 2nd–5th grade with Liliana Duran, middle school 6th–8th grade and high school 9th–11th grade with Eric Brunter, and adults 18+ with Carol Koppenheffer. The parish also runs a Confirmation Ministry and an annual Children's Vacation Bible School.
- Eucharist preparation (2nd–5th grade) — Liliana Duran
- Eucharist preparation (6th–8th and 9th–11th) — Eric Brunter
- Adult Eucharist/Confirmation (18+) — Carol Koppenheffer
- Confirmation Ministry
- VBS 2026: 'Rainforest Falls: Exploring the Nature of God', June 22–26
Adult Ministry
Adult Ministry at St. Joseph covers OCIA (formerly RCIA) for adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church, six-session 'Returning Catholics Come Home' for those returning to the faith, Adult Confirmation classes, ongoing Bible Study, the Passages grief-support ministry, Catholic 101 Essentials for the Journey, and two faith-and-fitness ministries (SoulCore and Dance with Joy).
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (Coordinator: Carol Koppenheffer, x221)
- Returning Catholics Come Home (6 sessions)
- Adult Confirmation Classes
- Bible Study Ministry
- Passages grief ministry — 24 sessions in four 6-week seasons, most Thursdays at 7 PM, x210
- Catholic 101 Essentials for the Journey
- SoulCore — Faith & Fitness
- Dance with Joy — Faith & Fitness
Outreach & Charity
St. Joseph supports an extensive network of parish, diocesan, and community charities through its activities fund. Outreach ministries include St. Vincent de Paul Society, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Charities, Birth Choice, Birthright, His House, support for seminarians, ministry to the physically and mentally challenged (children and young adults), Knights of Columbus Members in Distress, and Priest and Religious Retirement.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Knights of Columbus
- Catholic Charities
- Birth Choice
- Birthright
- His House
- Seminarian support
- Ministry to the Physically & Mentally Challenged (children & young adults)
- Knights of Columbus Members in Distress
- Priest and Religious Retirement
Evangelization — Known by Name Weekend
Launched by Fr. Martin Vu after his arrival in July 2024 (modeled on a program he began at Santiago de Compostela in Lake Forest), 'Known by Name Weekend' is held on the first weekend of every month. Volunteers greet parishioners at every entrance and offer name tags. Inside Mass, the cantor leads the congregation in greeting one another by name, parishioners memorize the name of a neighbor before the homily, they pray for that person during the Prayers of the Faithful, offer the Sign of Peace using the name, and gather for a reception after Mass. The initiative is led by Head of Evangelization Gina Delphan (succeeding Claudia Mercado), with volunteer coordinators Erika Javier, Mary Hasson, and Sandi Charlesworth.
- Held first weekend of every month
- Name tags at every entrance
- Five touchpoints during Mass plus post-Mass reception
- Lead: Gina Delphan (Head of Evangelization)
- Volunteer team: Erika Javier, Mary Hasson, Sandi Charlesworth
Rectory Renovation for Retired Priests
Completed in August 2024 under Fr. Martin Vu, the expanded St. Joseph Rectory is part of a Diocese of Orange initiative to house retired clergy. The renovation added a new pantry, kitchen, and patio, plus eight living quarters accommodating two permanent priests, a Syro-Malabar Rite priest for Orange County, four retired priests, and one visiting priest. The first resident was Fr. Eamon O'Gorman (October 2024); Fr. Steve Frost is the next to move in. A donated couch from the late Fr. John Janze (former pastor of St. Thomas More) was placed in Fr. Martin's suite to preserve his legacy. Two former confessionals being used for storage were also renovated, with one permanently assigned to Fr. Eamon.
- Completed August 2024
- Part of Diocese of Orange initiative alongside St. Kilian (Mission Viejo), Our Lady Queen of Angels (Newport Beach), and Clearwater at North Tustin
- Capacity: 2 permanent priests + 1 Syro-Malabar Rite priest + 4 retired priests + 1 visiting priest
- First resident: Fr. Eamon O'Gorman (October 2024)
- Next resident: Fr. Steve Frost
Visit, Contact & Office Hours
Parish office hours are Sunday 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM and Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 PM). The parish is located at 717 N. Bradford Avenue, Placentia, CA 92870, on five acres across from Valencia High School. Daily and Sunday Masses are livestreamed from the parish website for those unable to attend in person.
- Address: 717 N. Bradford Ave, Placentia, CA 92870
- Phone: (714) 528-1487
- Email: [email protected]
- Office: Sun 8:30 AM–2 PM; Mon–Thu 9 AM–5 PM (closed 12–1 PM)
- Live Stream available via stjosephplacentia.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Francis O'Brien1952–(founding pastor/administrator)
Appointed by the Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 1952 to build the new parish; celebrated the first Mass on November 1, 1953.