About St. Mary Magdalene · San Diego, California
St. Mary Magdalene is a Catholic parish in the Bay Park / Clairemont area of San Diego, California, founded in 1953 by Rev. Daniel O'Donoghue with just 14 families. Today it serves approximately 1,480 registered families and shares its campus with the School of the Madeleine, a parish school that has educated children since 1957. The parish is led by Rev. Edward P. McNulty and is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego.
- Established
- 1953
- Patron
- St. Mary Magdalene
- Rector
- Rev. Edward P. McNulty
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego
Why belong here
St. Mary Magdalene offers a tight-knit Bay Park / Clairemont faith community with a long-standing parish school, a full sacramental life (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and RCIA), and more than a dozen active lay ministries — from Music / Young Voices, Altar Servers, and Eucharistic Ministers to Women's Fellowship, Young Mom's Bible Study, Culture of Life, and Rosary Makers. Daily and weekend Masses, Saturday confessions, religious education for K-5, and a youth ministry program give every age and stage a clear way to participate in parish life.
Mass times at St. Mary Magdalene
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (in the Church)
- By appointment
History of St. Mary Magdalene Parish
St. Mary Magdalene parish was established in 1953, with Rev. Daniel O'Donoghue serving as founding pastor. The parish began with just 14 families gathering for Mass in private homes, later moving to the Red Sparks Plumbing Shop in Bay Park. Within a few years the church, school, and convent were built, completing the original building project by 1957. The parish grew steadily and today numbers around 1,480 registered families.
- Founded 1953 by Rev. Daniel O'Donoghue
- First Masses held in private homes of 14 families
- Masses later moved to Red Sparks Plumbing Shop in Bay Park
- Church, school, and convent built between roughly 1956 and 1957
- First Mass in the new church celebrated summer 1957
- School of the Madeleine opened September 1957 with 300 students
- Major church renovation completed; first Mass in renovated church Palm Sunday 1996
Parish Staff & Contacts
The parish is staffed by a small team of lay ministers and one pastor, supported by the principal of the parish school. The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, closed for lunch from 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM.
- Rev. Edward P. McNulty – Pastor (ext. 100)
- Katie Moreno – Office Manager (ext. 101)
- Anita Branch – Secretary (ext. 102)
- Tess Nelson – Director of Music / Website (ext. 103)
- Emma Scheuerman – Director of Religious Education (619-276-1248)
- Kia Scott – Director of Youth Ministry (619-276-6814)
- Dana Davalos – Principal, School of the Madeleine (619-276-6545)
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for the seven sacraments through classes, retreats, and ongoing formation. Sacramental records are handled by the Parish Office at (619) 276-1041.
- Baptism – preparation classes required for parents and godparents
- First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion – two-year preparation program
- Confirmation – ongoing sacramental preparation
- Marriage – call the Parish Office at least nine months in advance
- Anointing of the Sick – contact the Parish Office in serious illness or medical emergency
- RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Mary Magdalene begins with Children's Liturgy of the Word for K-5 during Sunday Mass, and continues through the parish Religious Education program directed by Emma Scheuerman. Children preparing for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion complete a two-year program integrated into their regular religious education classes, with parental participation expected.
- Children's Liturgy of the Word for K-5
- Two-year First Reconciliation / First Holy Communion preparation
- Confirmation preparation for older youth
- RCIA adapted for children aged seven and older who have not been baptized
Youth Ministry
The parish Youth Ministry program is directed by Kia Scott and provides a community for the middle-school and high-school young people of the parish. Contact the office at (619) 276-6814 for current activities and meeting times.
- Director: Kia Scott – 619-276-6814
- Open to youth of the parish; activities and events posted in the bulletin
Liturgical Ministries
Lay liturgical ministries are central to parish worship at St. Mary Magdalene. The Director of Music, Tess Nelson, leads the Music and Young Voices choirs, while Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, Lectors, and Ushers/Greeters serve each Mass. The Church Art & Environment team prepares the sanctuary for the seasons of the liturgical year.
- Liturgy of the Word (Lectors)
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Altar Servers
- Music / Young Voices (Director: Tess Nelson)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (K-5)
- Hospitality – Ushers and Greeters
- Church Art & Environment
Parish Groups & Fellowship
Beyond the liturgy, the parish supports a range of fellowship, study, and service groups. The Women's Fellowship, Young Mom's Bible Study, and Mom's Catholic Book Study bring women together around Scripture and community. The Culture of Life and Rosary Makers groups reflect the parish's devotion to Catholic social teaching and Marian prayer.
- Women's Fellowship
- Young Mom's Bible Study
- Mom's Catholic Book Study
- Culture of Life
- Rosary Makers
School of the Madeleine
The parish school, School of the Madeleine, opened in September 1957 to 300 students in grades one through six and was originally staffed by the Sisters of Saint Francis. Between 1958 and 1960, additional upper-grade classrooms were added, and the school eventually grew to 17 classrooms serving kindergarten through eighth grade in one main building. Today the school continues as a parish Catholic elementary school under principal Dana Davalos.
- Opened September 1957, originally staffed by Sisters of Saint Francis
- Expanded 1958–1960 to include upper grades
- 17 classrooms serving K–8 in one main building
- Current Principal: Dana Davalos – 619-276-6545
Visit, Contact & Directions
St. Mary Magdalene is located at 1945 Illion Street in San Diego's Bay Park / Clairemont area (zip 92110). The parish office is open Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 PM. Visitors coming from I-5 south can take Clairemont Dr. east to Denver, right on Milton, left on Illion, and right into the church parking lot.
- Address: 1945 Illion Street, San Diego, CA 92110
- Phone: (619) 276-1041
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM)
- Directions: I-5 south → Clairemont Dr. east → Denver → Milton → Illion → church
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Daniel O'Donoghue1953 – founding pastor
Founded the parish in 1953 and oversaw construction of the church, school, and convent.
- Rev. Msgr. William BolgerAfter O'Donoghue – 1995
Served as pastor for twenty years; retired in 1995.
- Rev. Msgr. John A. Dickie1995 – 2005
Took over after Msgr. Bolger's retirement.
- Rev. Stephen McCallSeptember 2005 – 2021
Succeeded Msgr. Dickie.
- Rev. Edward P. McNulty2021 – present
Current pastor.