About St. Martha Catholic Church · Valinda, California
St. Martha Catholic Church (Iglesia Católica Sta. Marta) is a multilingual Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles serving the unincorporated community of Valinda in the San Gabriel Valley, California. Established on September 1, 1958, the parish worships in a modernized sanctuary with a distinctive bell tower and stained glass, and runs St. Martha Elementary School (K–8) next door. Today the parish counts roughly 5,772 registered families — about 55% Hispanic, 30% Filipino, 10% Anglo, and 5% other — supported by 39 ministries that celebrate Mass in English, Spanish and Tagalog, and gather for Simbang-Gabi, Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Posadas, Salubong, and the novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
- Established
- 1958
- Patron
- St. Martha
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Thomas Frederick Ma. Asia
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Why belong here
St. Martha is a large, multi-ethnic parish where English, Spanish, and (once a month) Tagalog-hymn Masses sit side by side, and where 39 ministries give parishioners a real entry point — from the Knights of Columbus Fr. Michael J. McGivney Council #15034 and Life Teen to a thriving Filipino community that keeps Simbang-Gabi, Salubong, and the feast of St. Lorenzo Ruiz of Manila alive, a Hispanic community that celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Las Posadas, and a long-running homeless ministry that has housed hundreds through the East San Gabriel Valley Coalition. Daily Mass, Wednesday-evening Our Lady of Perpetual Help novena, Friday all-day Adoration (livestreamed on Facebook), and a Catholic school (K–8) make it a genuine spiritual home rather than a commuter stop.
Mass times at St. Martha Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 6:15 PM – 6:45 PM
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Adoration times
- Friday 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM (livestreamed on the parish Facebook page)
Mass & Sacrament Schedule
St. Martha celebrates Mass in English, Spanish, and (with Tagalog hymns on the first Sunday of each month) to serve its multilingual congregation. Weekends include a Saturday Vigil at 5:00 PM (English) and 7:00 PM (Spanish), and four English Masses and three Spanish Masses on Sunday, plus a 5:00 PM Life Teen Mass. Weekday Masses run Monday through Saturday at 8:00 AM (with Tuesday and Friday in Spanish, and an additional Wednesday evening Mass in English). Confessions are heard Wednesday 6:15–6:45 PM and Saturday 4:00–4:30 PM. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held every Friday from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM and is livestreamed on the parish Facebook page. Holy Day vigils and feasts are bilingual.
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM (English), 7:00 PM (Spanish)
- Sunday: 6:15, 9:00 AM, 12:00 noon (English) — 12:00 noon on 1st Sunday includes Tagalog hymns
- Sunday: 7:30, 10:30 AM, 1:30 PM (Spanish) — 5:00 PM Life Teen Mass (English)
- Weekdays 8:00 AM (Mon/Wed/Thu/Sat English; Tue/Fri Spanish); Wed 7:00 PM English
- Confessions: Wed 6:15–6:45 PM; Sat 4:00–4:30 PM
- Adoration: Fri 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM (livestreamed)
- Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help after Wed 7:00 PM Mass
- Holy Days: Vigil 7:00 PM (Bilingual); Feast 8:00 AM (Bilingual) and 7:00 PM (English)
- First Friday: 8:00 AM (Spanish) and 7:00 PM (Bilingual)
Parish History
St. Martha was established on September 1, 1958 as a new parish carved out of St. Joseph's, La Puente, to serve the booming post-war population of the eastern San Gabriel Valley. The first Masses were said at St. Joseph's, then Bishop Amat High School, then the parish hall (Christmas 1959); the church opened on March 20, 1960 with the official opening on Palm Sunday, April 10, 1960. Seven pastors have shaped the parish across more than six decades — Fr. John McNamara, Fr. Juan Romero, Monsignor William Leser, Fr. William Easterling, Fr. Mauricio Goloran III, Fr. Rafael Lara, and the current pastor Fr. Thomas Asia — each adding a chapel, a ministry, a renovation or a new celebration to the parish's life. Major anniversaries (Silver 1983, 40th 1998, 50th 2008, 60th 2018) have drawn Cardinal Mahony, Bishops Zavala and O'Connell, and hundreds of parishioners to Thanksgiving Masses and dinner-dances.
- Founded September 1, 1958 by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
- Founding pastor: Fr. John McNamara
- First Mass in new parish hall: Christmas 1959
- Official church opening: Palm Sunday, April 10, 1960
- Sisters of the Love of God (Religiosas del Amor de God) arrived 1960 to run the school
- 1992–96 major renovation: bell tower vestibule, stained glass, centralized altar, baptismal fountain
- 2008–2018 pastorates under Fr. Goloran, Fr. Lara, and Fr. Asia
- 60th Anniversary Thanksgiving Mass on October 6, 2018, with Bishop David O'Connell
Architecture & Worship Space
The original 1959–60 church was a single-story sanctuary paired with an eight-room school. Beginning in 1992, the parish planned and fundraised for a major renovation that produced the 'new' church rededicated by Cardinal Mahony on September 28, 1996: a tall, handsome bell-tower vestibule on the south side became the main entrance, the altar, ambo, lectern and baptismal font were grouped at the center of the worship space, and magnificent stained-glass windows replaced the older plain ones. A further 2018 reconfiguration under Fr. Thomas Asia brought the tabernacle into the central altar so the celebrant now faces the whole congregation, in time for the 60th anniversary. A Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe and a fountain grace the patio.
- Bell tower vestibule on south side, with bells ringing every hour
- Centralized altar / ambo / lectern / baptismal font (1996 renovation)
- Stained glass windows throughout; St. Martha image over Azusa entrance
- Baptismal fountain
- Tabernacle integrated into the central altar (2018)
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in the patio
- Bethany Center (outreach facility) across the street
St. Martha Parish School
St. Martha Parish School (K–8) has been a core ministry of the parish since the eight-room school opened in 1960, originally administered by the Sisters of the Love of God (Religiosas del Amor de Dios). Today the school is located at 440 N. Azusa Avenue, Valinda, CA 91744, phone (626) 964-1093, with Mrs. Amelita "Amy" Martinez as principal. It offers Transitional Kindergarten through 8th grade, with grade-level teachers, a music teacher (Mr. Manahan), and a physical education teacher (Mrs. Brittany Peoples). The school is listed with the California Department of Education as a private elementary school within the Rowland Unified School District boundaries and continues the parish's mission of Catholic education and faith formation for parish families.
- St. Martha Elementary School, 440 N. Azusa Ave., Valinda, CA 91744
- Phone: (626) 964-1093 — Fax: (626) 912-2014
- Principal: Mrs. Amelita "Amy" Martinez
- Grades K–8 (Transitional Kindergarten through 8th)
- Originally staffed by the Sisters of the Love of God since 1960
- Catholic identity, with music, PE, and traditional grade-level instruction
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation for children not enrolled in the parish school is organized through the Religious Education & Family Life program (formerly CCD), directed by Sara Monte. The program serves children from infancy through eighth grade, with First Communion and Confirmation preparation offered each year. The parish office can be reached at (626) 912-2582 for registration. The parish also runs a thriving Youth & Young Adult Ministry (YAM), led by Sal Arrivillaga, which meets Monday & Wednesday 5:30–8:30 PM, Tuesday 5:30–7:30 PM, and Friday 6:30–8:30 PM, and is home to the Life Teen Sunday evening Mass.
- Religious Education & Family Life (CCD) — Sara Monte, Director — (626) 912-2582
- Youth & Young Adult Ministry (YAM) — Sal Arrivillaga, Director — (626) 964-1903
- Life Teen Sunday 5:00 PM Mass
- First Communion, Confirmation, and ongoing faith formation for school-age children
RCIA — Becoming Catholic
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is offered in both English and Spanish through the parish's Liturgy and Adult Formation ministry. English sessions are coordinated by Kathy Sahagun (626) 905-0599 and Bobby Mendoza (626) 252-7369; Spanish sessions by Carmen Marquez (626) 931-9277. The program walks inquirers through the catechumenate, election, and the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.
- RCIA English: Kathy Sahagun (626) 905-0599; Bobby Mendoza (626) 252-7369
- RCIA Spanish (RICA): Carmen Marquez (626) 931-9279
- Sponsors, catechists, and team ministry for the catechumenate
Devotions, Music & Cultural Celebrations
St. Martha is one of the most culturally diverse parishes in the San Gabriel Valley, and its devotional calendar reflects that. Filipino parishioners keep Simbang-Gabi (Dawn Masses) at Advent, Easter Salubong (the dawn Encounter of the Risen Christ with the Blessed Virgin Mary), and the feast of St. Lorenzo Ruiz of Manila; the Filipino Choir leads the music at these celebrations and adds Tagalog hymns to the 12:00 noon English Mass on the first Sunday of each month. Hispanic parishioners celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12 and Las Posadas December 16, with a permanent shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the patio. The weekly novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help follows the Wednesday 7:00 PM Mass.
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena — Wednesdays after the 7:00 PM Mass
- Simbang-Gabi (Dawn Masses) — Filipino Advent tradition
- Easter Salubong — Filipino Easter dawn celebration
- Feast of St. Lorenzo Ruiz of Manila — September 28
- Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe — December 12 (Shrine in the patio)
- Las Posadas — December 16
- First-Sunday Tagalog hymns at the 12:00 noon English Mass
- Friday Eucharistic Adoration 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM (livestreamed)
Parish Ministries & Outreach
St. Martha has 39 active ministries whose banners were processed at the 60th anniversary Mass, reflecting the breadth of parish life. The Hispanic and Filipino leadership groups (formed in 1997 under Fr. Easterling) give voice to the parish's two largest cultural communities; the Knights of Columbus Fr. Michael J. McGivney Council #15034 (parish base since April 27, 2010) is a major men's service organization that donated the Monuments for the Unborn and the Fallen Servicemen. The Christian Service / Bethany Center ministry, led by Lupe Coronado, supports the Homeless Ministry that joined the East San Gabriel Valley Coalition in 1999, housing 170–200 guests at a time, and runs the Safeguard the Children program. Other ministries include the Marriage & Confirmation Ministry, Marriage Encounter (Pareja de Encuentro Matrimonial — Jorge & Demetria Estrada), the Young Adult Ministry, the Filipino Choir, and the parish's many liturgical ministries (ushers, lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, altar servers).
- Knights of Columbus Fr. Michael J. McGivney Council #15034 (since 2010)
- Hispanic Ministry / Ministerio Hispano
- Filipino Ministry and Filipino Choir
- Christian Service / Bethany Center — Lupe Coronado, (626) 324-3968
- Homeless Ministry (East San Gabriel Valley Coalition, est. 1999)
- Safeguard the Children
- Marriage & Confirmation Ministry
- Marriage Encounter / Pareja de Encuentro Matrimonial — Jorge & Demetria Estrada (323) 537-1131
- Pastoral Council, Finance Council, Liturgy Committee
- Young Adult Ministry — Sal Arrivillaga (626) 227-7789; Olga Echiribel, Office Assistant
- Archdiocesan Vocation Office referral: http://www.LAVocations.org
Sacraments
The parish prepares and celebrates the seven sacraments as a normal part of parish life. Baptisms are scheduled by appointment at the Rectory, with parents and godparents required to attend a pre-baptismal class (Spanish resources: lacatholic.org/baptism). First Holy Communion and Confirmation are prepared through the Religious Education and parish school programs. Marriages are scheduled by appointment only — couples should see a priest at least six months before the proposed wedding date. The Anointing of the Sick is available on request through the parish office. Adults seeking to become Catholic are welcomed through the bilingual RCIA process (see above).
- Baptism — register at the Rectory; pre-baptism class required
- First Communion / Confirmation — Religious Education & parish school
- Matrimony — priest meeting at least 6 months in advance, by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick — on request to the parish office
- RCIA / RICA — English & Spanish tracks
Parish Staff & Administration
The current parish staff supports a wide range of ministries and operations. Fr. Thomas Frederick Ma. Asia is the pastor (installed 2019), Fr. Pedro Roberto Garcia is the associate pastor, and Msgr. Aidan Carroll is in residence; deacon couples Jesse & Sol Batacan and Antonio & Laura Gutierrez assist. Administrative staff includes Jorge Rodriguez (Plant Manager), Willie Almanzor (Office Manager), Alejandra Lopez (Bulletin Editor, [email protected]), Silvia Valadez (Receptionist), and Paul Balais (Web Master). Sara Monte directs Religious Education; Sal Arrivillaga and Olga Echiribel staff the Young Adult Ministry; Lupe Coronado directs Christian Service / Bethany Center. Mrs. Amelita "Amy" Martinez is principal of St. Martha Parish School.
- Rev. Fr. Thomas Frederick Ma. Asia — Pastor
- Rev. Fr. Pedro Roberto Garcia — Associate Pastor
- Msgr. Aidan Carroll — In Residence
- Deacon Couples: Jesse & Sol Batacan; Antonio & Laura Gutierrez
- Jorge Rodriguez — Plant Manager
- Willie Almanzor — Office Manager
- Alejandra Lopez — Bulletin Editor ([email protected])
- Silvia Valadez — Receptionist
- Paul Balais — Web Master
- Sara Monte — Director of Religious Education
- Sal Arrivillaga — Director, Young Adult Ministry (626) 227-7789
- Olga Echiribel — YAM Office Assistant
- Lupe Coronado — Christian Service / Bethany Center (626) 324-3968
- Mrs. Amelita "Amy" Martinez — Principal, St. Martha Parish School
Online Masses, Bulletins & Visiting
The parish live-streams Mass on its Facebook page (daily 8:00 AM Mass, plus the Saturday Spanish Vigil Mass at 7:00 PM) and uploads recordings to its YouTube channel; Friday Adoration is also livestreamed on Facebook. Weekly bulletins are posted on the parish website (stmarthavalinda.org/bulletins) and contain Mass times, ministries, and announcements in English and Spanish. Visitors are warmly welcomed at all Masses; the parish office is open Monday–Friday 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (some bulletins list Sunday 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM), and weekday evenings 7:00–9:00 PM by appointment.
- Watch live Masses at stmarthavalinda.org/watch
- Subscribe to the parish YouTube channel
- Follow the parish Facebook page for live Mass and Adoration
- Bulletins: stmarthavalinda.org/bulletins
- Parish office: (626) 964-4313 — [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John McNamara1958–c.1981
Founding pastor; Archdiocese established the parish on September 1, 1958 and appointed him; oversaw construction of church and eight-room school, arrival of the Sisters of the Love of God, and official opening on Palm Sunday, April 10, 1960.
- Fr. Niall O'Leary1960s
First Associate Pastor of St. Martha.
- Fr. Michael Killeen1970s
Associate Pastor after Fr. O'Leary.
- Fr. Juan Romero1981–1984
2nd pastor; organized the Silver Jubilee (Sept. 1, 1983); remodeled the altar, ambo and presider's chair; created the St. Martha tapestry hung over the Azusa entrance.
- Fr. William "Bill" Leser1984–1995
3rd pastor; named Monsignor on November 19, 1991; member of Canon Law Ministry; vocations advocate working with St. John's Seminary, Camarillo; drove the installation of stained glass windows and the baptismal fountain; mentored seminarians Fr. John Provenza and Fr. Rodel Balagtas.
- Fr. William T. "Bill" EasterlingJanuary 1996–July 2008
4th pastor; installed June 19, 1996 by Bishop Gabino Zavala; oversaw 1992–96 renovation/rebuilding of the church; Cardinal Roger Mahony re-dedicated the 'new' church on September 28, 1996; created the Pastoral Council (1997), full-time Youth Ministry, Life Teen, and Homeless Ministry (1999); expanded Christian Service / purchased Bethany Center; celebrated 40th (1998) and 50th (2008) anniversaries; transferred to Sacred Heart, Covina in July 2008.
- Fr. Mauricio T. Goloran III ("Fr. Mau")July 1, 2008 – July 2016
5th pastor; previously associate pastor at St. Martha 1999–2008 (transferred to St. Catherine Laboure, Torrance in July 2004 then returned); ordained in the Diocese of Tagum, Philippines, incardinated in L.A. in 2007; appointed administrator July 1, 2008 and installed as pastor September 2010; organized ministries into Liturgy / Pastoral Care / Formation; hosted the institution of Knights of Columbus Fr. Michael J. McGivney Council #15034 on April 27, 2010; transferred to St. Catherine of Siena, Reseda in July 2016.
- Fr. Rafael LaraJuly 2016 – c. December 2016 (about 5 months)
6th pastor; came from an all-Hispanic community in Los Angeles; resurfaced the parking lot, installed a gate at the Azusa entrance, removed the parking-lot fence and enclosed the school grounds for security; did not request official installation for personal reasons and requested a transfer.
- Fr. Thomas Frederick Ma. Asia2017–present
7th pastor (and current); former associate pastor; named administrator July 2017; planned the 2018 reconfiguration of the worship space (central altar and tabernacle) and new restrooms in time for the 60th anniversary Mass on October 6, 2018; officially installed by Bishop David O'Connell in August 2019.