About St. Mother Theresa of Calcutta · Winchester, California
St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of San Bernardino located in Winchester, California (Riverside County), serving Winchester, Murrieta, and French Valley within the Hemet Vicariate. Founded on July 1, 2006 under the name Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, it has grown under founding pastor Monsignor Thomas J. Burdick from a handful of families meeting in the back room of the local Moose Lodge to a thriving, multicultural community of more than 3,000 families. The parish was renamed in honor of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta on September 11, 2016 after her canonization by Pope Francis, and today celebrates Mass in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese with a wide range of ministries and devotions.
- Established
- 2006
- Patron
- St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta
- Rector
- Rev. Msgr. Thomas J. "Tom" Burdick
- Diocese
- Diocese of San Bernardino
Why belong here
St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta is a young, fast-growing parish (3,000+ families) that genuinely lives up to its patron's spirit by combining deep sacramental life with hands-on outreach. A newcomer can worship in English, Spanish, or Vietnamese, find a home in one of more than two dozen active ministries (from Knights of Columbus to Little Church to the Missionary Families of Christ), enroll children in a robust K–12 faith formation program and Confirmation preparation, and join popular devotions like First Friday Adoration, the Charismatic Prayer Group, the Blue Army Rosary, or the annual Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration.
Mass times at St. Mother Theresa of Calcutta
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday after the 8:30 AM Mass (approximately 9:00 AM)
- By appointment at the parish office
Adoration times
- First Friday Adoration: 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM
- Friday after the 6:30 PM Spanish Mass (7:00 PM) – Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
History & Founding
St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta was canonically established on July 1, 2006 as a parish of the Diocese of San Bernardino, with Monsignor Thomas J. Burdick appointed founding pastor by Bishop Gerald R. Barnes. The new parish was carved out of the Hemet Vicariate, with boundaries approved by the Presbyteral Council in collaboration with Monsignor Tom Wallace, Episcopal Vicar of the Riverside Pastoral Region. From its earliest days the community met in the back room of the Winchester Moose Lodge. In June the community gathered for a blessing of land at Whisper Heights Parkway and Winchester Road; grading work on a new 650-seat church began the following November.
- Founded July 1, 2006
- Founding pastor: Msgr. Thomas J. Burdick
- Originally named Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
- First worshipped at the Winchester Moose Lodge
- Renamed St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta on September 11, 2016 after Mother Teresa's canonization
Mass & Liturgical Schedule
The parish celebrates Mass daily in English (Monday through Saturday at 8:30 AM) with a weekly Spanish Mass on Friday at 6:30 PM. The weekend schedule includes a Saturday Vigil at 5:30 PM in English and 7:30 PM in Vietnamese, and four English Sunday Masses plus a Sunday Mass in Spanish. Masses are also live-streamed through the parish's YouTube channel. The parish follows the Order of Mass in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese to serve its diverse community.
- Weekend Vigil: Sat 5:30 PM English, 7:30 PM Vietnamese
- Sunday: 7:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:15 PM, 5:00 PM English; 8:30 AM Spanish
- Daily: Mon–Sat 8:30 AM English
- Friday 6:30 PM Spanish
Devotions & Prayer Groups
A robust devotional life is a hallmark of the parish. The Charismatic Prayer Group meets Wednesday mornings, the Spanish Prayer Group gathers Friday evenings, and the Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima leads the Rosary on Thursday mornings. Each December the Hispanic Ministry hosts the annual Mass and celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe, followed the next morning by Mañanitas at 5:00 AM with coffee and pan dulce.
- Charismatic Prayer Group – Wed 6:00–7:00 PM
- Spanish Prayer Group – Fri 7:00–9:00 PM
- Blue Army Rosary – Thu 9:30 AM–12:00 PM
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass (December)
- Mañanitas (Dec 12, 5:00 AM)
Parish Staff
The parish is led by founding pastor Monsignor Thomas J. Burdick and Associate Pastor Rev. Toan Pham, supported by three permanent deacons — Frank Mercandante, Jose Ibarra, and Efren Ramirez — and a full lay staff for administration, faith formation, youth ministry, music, maintenance, and the parish bulletin.
- Pastor: Msgr. Thomas J. Burdick (Ext. 1002)
- Associate Pastor: Rev. Toan Pham (Ext. 1003)
- Deacon Frank Mercandante
- Deacon Jose Ibarra
- Deacon Efren Ramirez
- Business Manager: Martha Arriaga
- Bookkeeper: Ana Aguilar
- Parish Secretary: Michelle Maranan
- Bulletin Editor: Ann Berkshire
- Sacramental Secretary: Anita Rodriguez
- Maintenance Coordinator: Joe Calista
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious Education serves children from kindergarten through 8th grade, with a dedicated High School Confirmation track. K–3rd grade meets Tuesday or Wednesday afternoons, 4th/5th grade 'Grooted' meets Thursday afternoons, 6th–8th Middle School meets Monday afternoons, and High School Confirmation meets Sunday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. Spanish-language Faith Formation is offered Thursday afternoons.
- RE Coordinator: Jennifer Heffernan (Ext. 1010)
- Faith Formation Assistant: Suzy Lewis (Ext. 1011)
- K–3: Tue or Wed 4:30–5:45 PM
- 4/5 'Grooted': Thu 4:30–5:45 PM
- 6–8 Middle School: Mon 4:30–5:45 PM
- High School Confirmation: Sun 6:30–8:00 PM
- Spanish Formation: Thu 4:30–5:45 PM
OCIA & RCIC (Becoming Catholic)
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (formerly RCIA) meets Wednesday evenings beginning in mid-August, preparing adults for the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. The Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC) serves children age 7 and older; children under 7 may be baptized without the formal OCIA process.
- Adult OCIA Coordinator: Lia Genn ([email protected])
- Contact: Jennifer Heffernan (951-325-7707 Ext. 1010)
- Registration fee: $150 (non-refundable)
- RCIC for children 7+; under 7 baptized with simple prep
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
The parish supports a thriving youth ministry for middle school, high school, and young adults, including Confirmation preparation and the Life Teen-style Sunday evening high-school program. The Young Adults Ministry also connects with the wider Catholic Young Adults community of the Temecula Valley (CYA Temecula).
- Youth Minister: Debbie Sullivan / Hailey Cardenas
- IG: @smtocyouthministry
- FB: @SMTOC Youth Ministry
- Young Adults IG: @cyatemecula
Hispanic Ministry
The Hispanic community of the parish is one of its most active cultural communities. In addition to the Sunday 8:30 AM Spanish Mass and the Friday 6:30 PM Spanish Mass followed by Adoration, the community gathers after Sunday Mass for coffee and pan dulce, and organizes the annual Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration in December.
- Spanish Sunday Mass: 8:30 AM
- Spanish Friday Mass: 6:30 PM, followed by Adoration at 7:00 PM
- Hispanic Ministry Director: Deacon Efren Ramirez ([email protected])
- Annual Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass and Mañanitas
Vietnamese Ministry
The Vietnamese Catholic community gathers weekly for the Saturday Vigil Mass at 7:30 PM in Vietnamese, and supports sacramental life and fellowship through the Vietnamese Ministry, led by Christopher Phan.
- Vietnamese Vigil Mass: Saturday 7:30 PM
- Coordinator: Christopher Phan ([email protected])
Filipino Ministry
The Filipino Ministry hosts seasonal celebrations, including a Christmas reception with food, dance, and a Christmas carol sing-along in late December.
Parish Ministries & Organizations
More than two dozen lay-led ministries serve the parish, including Liturgical ministries (Altar Servers, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Sacristans, Ushers, Music & A/V), Spiritual & Devotional groups (Charismatic Prayer Group, Disciples of Divine Mercy, Blue Army Rosary), Outreach and Service (Minister to the Sick, Respect Life, Missionary Families of Christ), Community Life (Newcomers, Widow/Widower, Knights of Columbus Council 1455, Scouts BSA, Environment Ministry), and Sacramental preparation (Baptism/Marriage Prep).
- Liturgical: Altar Servers, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Sacristans, Ushers, Music & A/V
- Spiritual: Charismatic Prayer Group, Disciples of Divine Mercy, Blue Army Rosary, Spanish Prayer Group
- Outreach: Minister to the Sick, Respect Life, Missionary Families of Christ, Outreach Ministry
- Community: Newcomers, Widow/Widower, Knights of Columbus #1455, Scouts BSA, Environment Ministry
- Sacramental Prep: Baptism/Marriage Prep (Anita Rodriguez)
Sacraments
The parish prepares and celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Sacramental preparation for Baptism and Marriage is coordinated by Sacramental Secretary Anita Rodriguez; OCIA prepares unbaptized adults and uncatechized Christians for full initiation at the Easter Vigil; and the High School program prepares teens for Confirmation.
- Baptism — infant prep; RCIC for children 7+; OCIA for adults
- First Eucharist — typically as part of RE
- Confirmation — High School Sunday evenings
- Reconciliation — Saturdays 9:00 AM & by appointment
- Matrimony — prep with Anita Rodriguez (Ext. 1008)
- Anointing of the Sick — through Minister to the Sick (Barbara Hughes)
Becoming a Parishioner
Newcomers are welcomed into the parish through a formal registration process and the Newcomers Ministry. Registration forms (PDF) are available in both English and Spanish on the parish website and may be brought to the parish office or emailed to [email protected].
- Newcomers Ministry Coordinator: Linda Caraveo ([email protected])
- Registration forms in English and Spanish
- Send to [email protected] or drop off at parish office
Visiting, Contact & Live Streaming
The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Visitors are warmly welcomed at any Mass or devotion; live-streamed Masses are available on the parish YouTube channel. The parish phone line (951-325-7707) connects directly to the office, with extensions listed on the parish website for clergy, formation, and sacramental staff.
- Office: 34750 Whisper Heights Parkway, Winchester, CA 92596
- Phone: 951-325-7707 | Fax: 951-325-2306
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Live-Streamed Mass on parish YouTube channel
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. Thomas J. "Tom" Burdick2006–present
Founding pastor, appointed effective July 1, 2006 by the Diocese of San Bernardino. Led parish pilgrimage to Rome for Mother Teresa's canonization in September 2016. Still serving as pastor as of 2026.