About St. Martha · Murrieta, California
St. Martha Catholic Church is a large, diverse Roman Catholic parish in the city of Murrieta, Riverside County, California, in the Diocese of San Bernardino. Known as 'The Caring Community,' the parish serves more than 6,200 registered families in the fast-growing Murrieta Valley and offers five Sunday Masses (one in Spanish, one interpreted for the Deaf), a daily Mass, an extensive Religious Education program enrolling over 1,400 students, a K-8 school, and more than 30 active ministries. It is one of the largest parishes in southwestern Riverside County, occupying an 11-acre campus on Whitewood Road that includes a 1,500-seat worship church, a Family Life Center, a Catholic school, and a perpetual adoration chapel.
- Established
- 1992
- Patron
- St. Martha
- Rector
- Very Rev. Carlos Martinez, V.F. (Vicar Forane, Hemet Vicariate)
- Diocese
- Diocese of San Bernardino
Why belong here
St. Martha is a large, multilingual parish that takes its 'Caring Community' identity seriously: every Sunday it offers a Spanish Mass and an ASL-interpreted Mass for the deaf, its Community Food Pantry serves hundreds of local families each week, and more than 30 active ministries — including St. Vincent de Paul–style outreach, Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, Respect Life, prison ministry, bereavement, and a Filipino Catholic Community — give newcomers an easy way to plug in. Families with children can take advantage of an on-site K-8 school, a Religious Education program enrolling over 1,400 students, and a strong youth and confirmation program, while those seeking prayer find daily Mass, daily rosary, a perpetual adoration chapel (6 a.m.–8 p.m.), and monthly First Friday adoration.
Mass times at St. Martha
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday at 8:00 a.m. (also listed by some directories as Saturday 8:30 a.m.)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Blessed Sacrament Chapel: daily 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (perpetual adoration chapel, entrance code from parish office)
- First Friday Adoration: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (after the 7:30 a.m. Mass, concluding Saturday morning)
- Vespers & Benediction: 6:00 p.m. in the main church (on First Fridays)
History of St. Martha Parish
St. Martha was founded in 1991–1992 to serve the rapidly growing Murrieta Valley. After Bishop Philip Straling purchased 11.21 acres on Whitewood Road in February 1991, Fr. Charles Schultz celebrated the first Mass on February 2, 1992, at the rented Murrieta Valley Town Hall. Modular units became the first worship center in September 1992, and the parish has grown continuously ever since — from a handful of families in the early 1990s to more than 6,200 registered families today. Groundbreaking for the current 1,500-seat church took place in late 2002 under the second pastor, Msgr. Thomas Wallace, marking the parish's transition from a mission outpost to one of the largest parishes in the Diocese of San Bernardino.
Clergy and Staff
St. Martha is currently led by Very Rev. Carlos Martinez, V.F., who serves as pastor and as Vicar Forane of the Hemet Vicariate for the Diocese of San Bernardino. He is assisted by two parochial vicars, Rev. Francis Grant and Rev. Rafael Flores, and three deacons — Rev. Mr. Wilfredo Vita, Rev. Mr. Alfonso Pastrana, and retired Rev. Mr. Porfirio Diaz. The parish office is staffed by Tracey Blanton (Executive Assistant to the Clergy / Hemet Vicariate Secretary), Sandra Duarte (Business Administrator), and other coordinators in religious education, liturgy, marriage, baptism, and youth ministry.
- Very Rev. Carlos Martinez, V.F. — Pastor
- Rev. Francis Grant — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Rafael Flores — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Mr. Wilfredo Vita — Deacon
- Rev. Mr. Alfonso Pastrana — Deacon
- Rev. Mr. Porfirio Diaz — Deacon (Retired)
Faith Formation and Religious Education
St. Martha's faith-formation program (administered through stmarthaformation.com) is one of the largest in the diocese, enrolling more than 1,400 students a year with all-catechist volunteers. Programs are offered for preschool through adult, including a Montessori-based Preschool/Kindergarten program on Sundays, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in the Atrium on Mondays, Children's Liturgy of the Word (K–2) during the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Masses, and EDGE middle-school youth ministry. Adult initiation is handled through the OCIA (formerly RCIA) process, available in both English and Spanish.
- Preschool / Kindergarten Sunday program (Montessori-based, ages 2–5)
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (3-year-olds through Kindergarten, Atrium-based)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (Grades K–2)
- EDGE middle-school youth ministry
- OCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (English and Spanish)
- Confirmation preparation (youth and adult, English and Spanish)
- Vacation Bible School and summer programs
St. Martha Catholic School
St. Martha Catholic School (stmartharocks.com), located on the parish campus, serves preschool through 8th grade as part of the Diocese of San Bernardino school system. The school offers a 3-year-old preschool, a 4-year-old Pre-K program, half-day options for PreK-3, and a full elementary and middle-school curriculum that includes art, music, STEM, Spanish, library, and gym. Financial aid is available through FACTS Tuition Management for practicing Catholic families in Kindergarten through 8th grade.
- Preschool (3-year-old program)
- Pre-K (4-year-old program; half-day option for PreK-3)
- Kindergarten through 8th grade
- FACTS Tuition Management financial aid for practicing Catholic families
Ministries and Parish Life
The parish lists more than 30 active ministries, organized into Worship, Pastoral Care, Fellowship, and Administration categories. Liturgical roles (altar servers, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, sacristans, ushers, choir) are filled in both English and Spanish, while service and outreach ministries include the Community Food Pantry, Prison Ministry, Respect Life, Bereavement Support, Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, Boy Scouts Troop 300, and the '2nd Hand Treasures' resale ministry. Prayer and formation groups include Bible study, English Prayer Group, Grupo de Oración, San Jerónimo Estudio Bíblico, Divine Mercy, Seven Sorrows, Mothers & Others, Stronghold Men's Group, and the Filipino Catholic Community.
- Worship: Altar Servers, Choirs, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Sacristans, Ushers, Audio Visual, Arts and Environment (English and Spanish)
- Pastoral Care: Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick, Bereavement, Funeral Ministry, Prison Ministry, Respect Life, Quinceañera Ministry
- Fellowship: Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, Boy Scouts Troop 300, Hospitality, Greeters, Mothers & Others, Seasoned Singles
- Administration: Finance Council, Pastoral Council, SCRIP, Safe Environment, Maintenance
Sacraments
St. Martha prepares parishioners for all seven Catholic sacraments. Infant Baptism classes are held monthly in the Family Life Center (no class in July) and are coordinated by Angeles Lopez. Marriage preparation requires at least six months and is coordinated by Andrea Lopez, who also handles Quinceañera celebrations, weddings, and convalidations. First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation (youth and adult, English and Spanish) are handled through the Faith Formation office. The Anointing of the Sick can be requested through the emergency sick-call line at (951) 813-0861.
- Infant Baptism — monthly class, register with Angeles Lopez
- First Reconciliation / First Eucharist — via Religious Education and school
- Confirmation — youth and adult, English and Spanish
- Marriage — 6-month preparation, Marriage Inquiry Form required
- Anointing of the Sick — emergency sick-call line (951) 813-0861
- Quinceañera — coordinated by Andrea Lopez
- OCIA — adult initiation in English and Spanish
Outreach and Charity
St. Martha runs one of the most active outreach programs in the Inland Empire. The parish Community Food Pantry serves approximately 500 families per week, and the '2nd Hand Treasures' resale ministry raises funds to support it. Additional outreach includes Prison Ministry, Respect Life Ministry, Knights of Columbus service projects, the Deaf Community Ministry, an Outreach Program that partners with outside organizations, and ministries to the homebound that bring the Eucharist to those unable to attend Mass.
- Community Food Pantry (~500 families/week)
- 2nd Hand Treasures resale ministry
- Prison Ministry
- Respect Life Ministry
- Deaf Community Ministry
- Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick / Homebound visits
Visiting St. Martha
Visitors are welcome at any Mass. The parish campus on Whitewood Road includes the 1,500-seat main church, the Blessed Sacrament Chapel (open daily 6:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. with an entrance code from the office), the Family Life Center, the school, and ample parking. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (closed 12:30–1:30 p.m. for lunch), and is closed Friday through Sunday. Emergency sick calls are taken on a separate line at (951) 813-0861.
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8 a.m.–4 p.m. (closed for lunch 12:30–1:30 p.m.); closed Fri–Sun
- Emergency sick-call line: (951) 813-0861
- Parking available on the Whitewood Road campus
- Blessed Sacrament Chapel accessible with code from office
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Charles Schultz1992 – July 1998
Founding/first pastor. Celebrated the first Mass on February 2, 1992 at the rented Murrieta Valley Town Hall.
- Msgr. Thomas WallaceJuly 1998 – c.2000s
Second pastor. Launched the building campaign; groundbreaking for the 1,500-seat church took place in late 2002 during his pastorate.
- Rev. Jack D. Barker2011
Listed as pastor in the Press-Enterprise 'Church Corner' feature of November 18, 2011, with Rev. Gregory Elder, Rev. Fabian Reynalte and Rev. Joseph Ellison as parochial vicars.
- Very Rev. Carlos Martinez, V.F.2026 – present
Current pastor; also serves as Vicar Forane of the Hemet Vicariate for the Diocese of San Bernardino.