About St. Mark · Belmont, California
St. Mark Catholic Church is a welcoming Roman Catholic parish in Belmont, California, part of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. It serves a diverse community that includes English-speaking families, a vibrant Chinese-Cantonese congregation, and Filipino Catholics through its pastor who is also the Archdiocese's Vicar for Filipinos. The parish is known for its strong faith-formation programs (CCD for grades 1–8 and a two-year Youth Confirmation program for grades 9–12), an active social-justice and outreach tradition, daily Eucharistic Adoration, and a livestreamed Sunday Mass for the homebound. With ministries ranging from St. Vincent de Paul and the Knights of Columbus to the Ladies' Guild, Legion of Mary, and youth choir, St. Mark presents itself as a nurturing, inclusive community for newcomers, returning Catholics, and lifelong faithful alike.
- Established
- 1965
- Patron
- St. Mark the Evangelist
- Rector
- Fr. Angel Quitalig
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of San Francisco
Why belong here
St. Mark is a mid-sized, multi-generational parish that takes its worship and outreach seriously: daily Mass Monday through Friday, a Cantonese Mass for the Chinese community, daily Eucharistic Adoration in the chapel, Perpetual Help Devotion on Wednesdays, a livestreamed 9:45 am Sunday Mass for the homebound, and a long list of active groups including St. Vincent de Paul, the Knights of Columbus, the Legion of Mary, the Ladies' Guild, and a Social Justice ministry that runs the monthly Excell Network breakfast for returning citizens, the Walk for Peace, the Walk for Life, and the Hands of God outreach envelopes. With CCD faith formation for grades 1–8, a two-year Youth Confirmation program, a youth group, and an active RCIA in both English and Chinese, it is a parish designed to walk with you at every stage of Catholic life — newcomer, parent, teen, retiree, or returning Catholic.
Mass times at St. Mark
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Every Saturday, 3:45 pm – 4:20 pm
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration in the Chapel: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Perpetual Help Devotion, Adoration & Benediction: Wednesdays at 7:00 pm in the chapel
- First Saturday: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament following the 8:30 am Mass until 12:00 pm
Parish History
St. Mark Parish was established in 1965 by Archbishop Joseph McGucken, carved out of Immaculate Heart of Mary and St. Gregory's parishes. Founding pastor Fr. William Flanagan set up the new parish in a former automotive garage at 785 Old County Road — Mass was first celebrated there on September 12, 1965, and the space was affectionately nicknamed 'God's Garage.' A permanent church was dedicated on October 17, 1971 at a Mass with blessings from Pope Paul VI. Over the decades the parish built a parish center (completed 2000, dedicated as Fr. Flanagan Hall in 2006), added new church doors in 2008, moved and refurbished the baptismal font in 2015, and celebrated its 50th anniversary Jubilee with Archbishop Cordileone. Under Fr. Angel Quitalig (pastor since 2019) the parish added the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, a new rectory, and in December 2022 a new roof, lighting, stained-glass cupola, and devotional shrines to Mary and Joseph.
- 1965 – Parish established; first Mass September 12, 1965 in a garage ('God's Garage')
- 1969 – Fr. David Walsh becomes second pastor; Redwood Shores added to parish
- October 17, 1971 – Permanent church dedicated by Archbishop McGucken
- 1983 – Fr. William Flanagan returns as pastor after Fr. Walsh falls ill
- 1999 – Ground broken for parish center
- 2000 – Parish center completed; blessed by Archbishop Levada
- 2006 – Parish center formally dedicated as 'Fr. Flanagan Hall' (March 17)
- 2008 – New church doors installed
- 2015 – Baptismal font relocated; 50th anniversary Jubilee Mass with Archbishop Cordileone
- Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes built and blessed on the plaza
- New parish rectory completed
- December 4, 2022 – New roof, lighting, stained-glass cupola, Mary/Joseph devotional areas
Clergy and Parish Staff
St. Mark is pastored by Fr. Angel Quitalig, who was appointed on January 1, 2019; he also serves the Archdiocese of San Francisco as Adjutant Judicial Vicar in the Metropolitan Tribunal and as Vicar for Filipinos. Fr. Dominic Savio Lee serves as priest in-residence, ministering especially to the Chinese-Cantonese community in San Mateo County (he was born in Hong Kong, attended the University of San Francisco and St. Patrick Seminary, and was ordained April 9, 1994 at St. Mary's Cathedral in San Francisco). Permanent Deacon Rich Dizon assists in parish ministry. The lay staff includes Jacob Tolentino (Director of Religious Education), Elsa Agasid (Director of Music Ministry), Elsa Atendido (Office Coordinator), and Dinna Bayangos (Communications Coordinator).
- Fr. Angel Quitalig — Pastor (since January 1, 2019)
- Fr. Dominic Savio Lee — Priest in-Residence (ordained 1994, Hong Kong-born)
- Deacon Rich Dizon — Permanent Deacon
- Jacob Tolentino — Religious Education Director
- Elsa Agasid — Music Ministry Director
- Elsa Atendido — Office Coordinator
- Dinna Bayangos — Communications Coordinator
Faith Formation for Children and Youth
Saint Mark runs a full faith-formation program for kids and teens. CCD Faith Formation welcomes children in grades 1–8 and includes preparation for the sacrament of First Holy Communion. The two-year Youth Confirmation program is open to all high school teens (grades 9–12) and follows the Sacraments of Initiation in the Catholic Church. Classes typically meet on Sundays and focus on Catholic belief and doctrine, Church history and tradition, and a personal relationship with Christ, so that young people can make a conscious, informed commitment of their faith and engage actively in the parish community.
- CCD Faith Formation — Grades 1–8 (includes First Communion prep)
- Youth Confirmation — Grades 9–12, two-year preparation
- Confirmation Classes meet Sundays, 4:00–5:30 pm
- Contact: Jacob Tolentino, [email protected]
Adult Faith Formation and RCIA
St. Mark supports adults discerning or returning to the Catholic faith through its RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program. Sessions are held twice a month on Sundays after the 9:45 am Mass in the Parish Center. The program welcomes those interested in becoming Catholic, baptized Catholics who have not yet received Communion or Confirmation, and those seeking to reconnect with the faith. The parish also adapts the RCIA process for older children (ages 7 and up). RCIA catechumens and candidates from St. Mark join the Archdiocesan Rite of Election at St. Mary's Cathedral in San Francisco, where Archbishop Cordileone gives a special blessing. A separate Chinese-language RCIA track is also offered.
- RCIA sessions — twice monthly, Sundays after the 9:45 am Mass, Parish Center
- English and Chinese RCIA tracks
- Adapted for children age 7+
- Contact: Matt Lucett, [email protected]
Youth Group
The St. Mark Youth Group is for high school and middle school teens who want to grow in faith while building community. Through a blend of spiritual, service, and social activities, teens are encouraged to experience the awesomeness of God the Father and to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Youth serve at monthly Youth Masses as lectors, ushers, gift bearers, and Eucharistic ministers, and take part in monthly Faith Sharing meetings to discuss spiritual, moral, and ethical questions. The group also does hands-on service: Christmas shopping for Catholic Worker House, the Souper Bowl of Caring fundraiser, and volunteering at the St. Vincent de Paul Homeless Help Center.
- Monthly Youth Masses — teens serve as lectors, ushers, gift bearers, Eucharistic ministers
- Monthly Faith Sharing meetings
- Service projects: Catholic Worker House Christmas shopping, Souper Bowl of Caring, St. Vincent de Paul Homeless Help Center
Music and Liturgical Ministries
The Music Ministry of St. Mark enhances worship through hymns and songs aimed at moving hearts and minds closer to God. The adult choir sings at the Saturday 4:30 pm and Sunday 8:00 am and 11:30 am Masses; the youth choir leads the music at the Sunday 9:45 am Mass; and for special events an inter-generational chorale and ensemble join forces. Liturgical ministries at the parish include the Liturgical Committee, Eucharistic Ministry, Lectors, Altar Servers, Greeters & Ushers, Audio/Video (AV) Ministry, Environment Ministry, and Grotto Ministry.
- Adult Choir — Saturday 4:30 pm and Sunday 8:00 am & 11:30 am
- Youth Choir — Sunday 9:45 am
- Inter-generational Chorale & Ensemble for special events
- Liturgical Committee, Eucharistic Ministry, Lectors, Altar Servers, Greeters & Ushers
- Audio/Video (AV) Ministry, Environment Ministry, Grotto Ministry
- Music Director: Elsa Agasid, [email protected] / (650) 452-9803
Service and Outreach Ministries
St. Mark's service ministries answer the call to 'find joy and purpose in loving and serving others.' The parish lists Hospitality Ministry, the Knights of Columbus, Social Justice Ministry, St. Vincent de Paul, Children of St. Joseph, Communications Ministry, the Ladies' Guild, and the Legion of Mary. The Social Justice Ministry in particular takes on practical works of mercy: hosting the monthly Excell Network breakfast at the Parish Center for people returning home from prison, co-hosting the annual Walk for Peace with the Archdiocesan Restorative Justice Ministry (the 2026 Walk for Peace was scheduled for April 18, 2026 at Saint Mark grounds), organizing the parish delegation to the Northern California Walk for Life with the Knights of Columbus, and distributing the Hands of God envelopes (a $10 weatherproof baggie with a McDonald's gift card, bilingual prayer card, and local-resources card) after Mass every second weekend of the month.
- Hospitality Ministry
- Knights of Columbus
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Children of St. Joseph
- Communications Ministry
- Ladies' Guild
- Legion of Mary
- Social Justice Ministry — Excell Network monthly breakfast, Walk for Peace, Walk for Life, Hands of God envelopes
- Social Justice Prayer — third weekend of each month
Devotions, Grotto, and Live-Stream
The chapel is a daily center of prayer at St. Mark, with Eucharistic Adoration Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. On Wednesdays at 7:00 pm the parish gathers for the Perpetual Help Devotion, Adoration, and Benediction. Outside, the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes on the parish plaza is the site of the daily Rosary Monday through Friday at 6:30 pm and the monthly Rosary Rally on the first Saturday at noon. The 9:45 am Sunday Mass and Holy Day Masses are livestreamed on the parish YouTube channel for the sick and homebound; Holy Communion for the homebound is also coordinated by the parish.
- Eucharistic Adoration — Mon–Fri 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Perpetual Help Devotion — Wednesdays 7:00 pm
- Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes — Rosary Mon–Fri 6:30 pm; Rosary Rally 1st Saturday 12:00 pm
- Livestreamed 9:45 am Sunday Mass and Holy Day Masses on YouTube
- Holy Communion for the Homebound — [email protected]
Contact, Visit, and Getting Involved
St. Mark's parish office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at 325 Marine View Avenue, Belmont, CA 94002. The parish office can be reached at (650) 591-5937 or [email protected]. From Highway 101, take the Ralston Avenue exit west to the first traffic light, then turn right on Hiller and right on Marine View Avenue. Website, e-newsletter, and social-media inquiries go to [email protected]; livestream and YouTube inquiries to [email protected]. Newcomers, returning Catholics, and those exploring the faith are warmly invited to reach out and become part of the parish community.
- Address: 325 Marine View Ave, Belmont, CA 94002
- Phone: (650) 591-5937
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Driving directions: Hwy 101 → Ralston exit west → right on Hiller → right on Marine View Ave
- Webmaster: [email protected]
- Livestream / YouTube: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. William Flanagan1965–1969
Founding pastor; set up the parish in a garage at 785 Old County Road ('God's Garage'). Later returned to St. Mark in 1983; the parish hall was dedicated as 'Fr. Flanagan Hall' in 2006.
- Fr. David Walsh1969–c.1983 (illness); d. 2004
Second pastor; welcomed Redwood Shores into the parish. Continued to live at the rectory and participate in parish life until his death in 2004.
- Fr. William Flanagan1983–
Returned to St. Mark as pastor after Fr. Walsh's illness; pastor at least into the late 2000s.
- Fr. Angel Quitalig2019–present
Appointed Pastor of St. Mark on January 1, 2019; also serves as Adjutant Judicial Vicar in the Metropolitan Tribunal and Vicar for Filipinos for the Archdiocese of San Francisco.