About St. Mary Queen of Apostles · Fresno, California
St. Mary Queen of Apostles is a Roman Catholic parish in west Fresno, California, serving the Highway City neighborhood and surrounding community. It belongs to the Diocese of Fresno and ministers to a bilingual (English- and Spanish-speaking) congregation through four Sunday Masses, a Saturday Vigil, and weekday Masses celebrated at the nearby Sister Disciples of the Divine Master Convent. The parish's story traces back to the early 1950s, when Redemptorist missionaries from St. Alphonsus began celebrating Mass in a rented storefront; it was formally established as an independent parish on June 1, 1967 by Bishop Willinger.
- Established
- 1967
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary under the title Queen of the Apostles
- Rector
- Rev. Timothy Cardoso
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fresno
Why belong here
St. Mary Queen of Apostles is a small, bilingual parish rooted in the Highway City neighborhood of west Fresno, with a history built literally by the hands of its founding pastor and parishioners. It offers four Sunday Masses (three in English, one in Spanish), a Saturday Vigil in both languages, weekday Mass at the nearby Sister Disciples Convent, Eucharistic Adoration, two parish prayer groups, a Knights of Columbus council, ongoing Bible study, and sacramental preparation in both English and Spanish. Families, Spanish-speaking Catholics, and anyone looking for an active community with deep devotional life will find a welcoming home here.
Mass times at St. Mary Queen of Apostles
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Friday: 5:30 PM (per archived parish listing) or by appointment
Adoration times
- Monday–Saturday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (at the Sister Disciples of the Divine Master Convent, 3700 N. Cornelia Ave.)
- Saturday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (at the Convent, following the 8:00 AM Mass)
- Friday: 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM (2nd Fridays only, hosted by the Grupo de Oración)
Parish History: From Highway City Mission to Independent Parish
The parish's story is one of missionary outreach, lay generosity, and physical labor. In the early 1950s, Redemptorist priests — usually Fr. Cooney from St. Alphonsus — celebrated Sunday Mass for the Highway City community in a rented storefront. When Highway 99 displaced the storefront in 1955, the mission lost its home. On February 10, 1956, Mrs. Julia Lucardo deeded five acres to the Diocese, and Mass resumed in the Sister Disciples convent chapel. Fr. Patrick Weber then spent two years building a combination chapel and Catechetical Center with parishioners, even sinking a well and installing plumbing and wiring. Transferred before completion, Fr. Kaiser secured an additional $3,000 to finish the church, and the first Mass was celebrated February 19, 1962. Bishop Willinger elevated the mission to an independent parish on June 1, 1967.
- Fr. Cooney, C.Ss.R. (St. Alphonsus) — mission chaplain, early 1950s
- Fr. Patrick Weber — builder of the original chapel
- Fr. Kaiser (pastor of St. Alphonsus) — completed construction
- Bishop Willinger — established St. Mary Queen of Apostles as an independent parish, June 1, 1967
- Julia Lucardo — donor of the five-acre site, February 10, 1956
- Mr. and Mrs. James C. O'Neill — donors of the original rectory/office, 1967
- Source: Diocese of Fresno Archives Department, published on the parish website
Sister Disciples of the Divine Master Convent
All daily Masses (Monday through Saturday) are celebrated at the convent chapel of the Sister Disciples of the Divine Master at 3700 N. Cornelia Ave., Fresno, CA 93722 — a short distance from the parish church on W. Dakota Ave. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament follows each morning's Mass and continues into the afternoon, giving parishioners an extended daily opportunity for prayer and quiet devotion alongside the sisters.
- Address: 3700 N. Cornelia Ave., Fresno, CA 93722
- Weekday Mass: 8:00 AM (Monday–Saturday)
- Adoration follows each daily Mass
Parish Staff & Diocese Contacts
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Timothy Cardoso. Parish Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (subject to change). The Diocese of Fresno assigns Vanessa Withee, RN, as the parish's Faith Community Nurse as part of its Faith Community Nursing program. Carolyn Perez, RN, is listed as a parish-nursing contact in the same diocesan network. The parish also has a dedicated CCD (Religious Education) coordinator reachable at [email protected].
- Pastor: Rev. Timothy Cardoso
- Parish Office Email: [email protected]
- CCD / Religious Education Email: [email protected]
- Parish Phone: (559) 275-2022; Fax: (559) 275-2040
- Faith Community Nurse: Vanessa Withee, RN (Diocese of Fresno)
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for the sacraments in both English and Spanish. Baptisms are celebrated privately Monday through Saturday; pre-Baptismal classes are held twice a month, once in each language. Marriages are scheduled on Saturdays at 12:00 noon and 2:00 PM, with at least four months' notice required. The CCD program coordinates First Communion and Confirmation preparation. Confession is offered on Tuesday evenings and Friday afternoons, or by appointment.
- Baptism — preparation classes twice monthly (English and Spanish); private baptisms Mon–Sat
- Marriage — Saturdays at 12:00 noon and 2:00 PM; 4 months' notice
- Reconciliation — Tuesday 6:00–7:00 PM; Friday 5:30 PM or by appointment
- First Communion / Confirmation — through the CCD program
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment through the parish office
Baptism: Requirements & Godparent Guidelines
At least one parent must be a practicing Catholic who attends Mass regularly. Parents must be registered in the parish or live within its boundaries, or supply written permission from the parish where they are registered. Godparents must be confirmed Catholics; if married, the marriage must have taken place in the Catholic Church (a marriage certificate is required); if single, the godparent must not be living with a partner outside of marriage. A confirmation certificate must be provided for each godparent.
- At least one parent must be a practicing, Mass-attending Catholic
- Parents must be registered or live within parish boundaries (or supply written permission from their own parish)
- Godparent must provide a Confirmation certificate
- Married godparent must have been married in the Catholic Church (marriage certificate required)
Parish Ministries & Prayer Groups
St. Mary Queen of Apostles supports a varied devotional and service life. The Familias Apóstoles de María prayer group meets in Spanish every Friday at 6:30 PM in Room 9, while the English-language Our Faith Prayer Group meets every Friday in Room 2. The Knights of Columbus council is active at the parish. The Grupo de Oración hosts the parish's monthly Friday-night Holy Hour. A parish Bible Study — currently featuring 'Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible' — is also offered. Through the Diocese of Fresno, the parish benefits from Faith Community Nursing.
- Familias Apóstoles de María — Fridays 6:30 PM, Room 9 (Spanish)
- Our Faith Prayer Group — Fridays, Room 2 (English)
- Knights of Columbus — council active at the parish
- Grupo de Oración — hosts 2nd-Friday Holy Hour, 8:00–9:00 PM
- Bible Study — 'Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible' (ongoing)
- Faith Community Nursing — Diocese of Fresno health ministry
Religious Education (CCD)
The parish's CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) program offers religious education and sacramental preparation for children and youth, with a dedicated email contact ([email protected]). CCD is the parish's primary vehicle for First Communion and Confirmation preparation and serves the same bilingual community that fills the pews on Sundays.
- Email: [email protected]
- Sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation
- Contact the parish office at (559) 275-2022 for current registration
Contact & Practical Information
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone at (559) 275-2022 (fax 559-275-2040), by email at [email protected], or in person Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at 4636 W. Dakota Ave., Fresno, CA 93722. The current website is stmaryschurchfresno.org; a legacy site remains at stmaryqueen.webs.com. The parish maintains an active Facebook page under 'St. Mary Queen of the Apostles.' Requests for sacramental certificates should be sent to the office email with full name (at birth), date of birth, approximate date of baptism, parents' full names (including mother's maiden name), and godparents' full names; processing takes 5 to 7 days.
- Address: 4636 W. Dakota Ave., Fresno, CA 93722
- Phone: (559) 275-2022 — Fax: (559) 275-2040
- Office Hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (subject to change)
- Office Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://stmaryschurchfresno.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/pages/St-Mary-Queen-of-the-Apostles/587874924662967
- Certificate requests: 5–7 business days
Diocese of Fresno Context
St. Mary Queen of Apostles is one of dozens of parishes in the Diocese of Fresno, which covers the central San Joaquin Valley of California. The parish is grouped in the Fresno Metro Vicariate alongside nearby parishes such as St. Alphonsus (the Redemptorist mother church from which the parish grew), St. John's Cathedral, St. Genevieve, St. Helen, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Holy Spirit, Sacred Heart, St. Anthony of Padua, and the Shrine of St. Therese. The diocesan Faith Community Nursing program stations a registered nurse — Vanessa Withee, RN — at the parish as part of its health-ministry outreach.
- Diocese: Diocese of Fresno (Fresno Metro Vicariate)
- Mother parish historically: St. Alphonsus, Fresno (Redemptorist)
- Diocesan Faith Community Nurse: Vanessa Withee, RN
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Cooney (Redemptorist, from St. Alphonsus)early 1950s–1955
Celebrated Sunday Mass in a rented storefront in Highway City for the mission chapel; mission vacated in 1955 to make way for Highway 99.
- Fr. Patrick Weber
Built the original chapel/catechetical center on the Lucardo property; worked two years in overalls with parishioners; transferred to Whittier, CA before the church was finished.
- Fr. Kaiser (Pastor of St. Alphonsus)
Obtained an additional $3,000 to complete construction; the first Mass was celebrated February 19, 1962.
- Bishop Willinger (Diocese of Fresno)1967
Elevated St. Mary Queen of Apostles from a mission of St. Alphonsus to an independent parish on June 1, 1967.