About St. Patrick · Ripon, California
St. Patrick's Catholic Church is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish serving the community of Ripon, California, in the Diocese of Stockton. The parish traces its roots to 1874, when the Carroll family hosted the first Catholic service in what was then Atlanta (later renamed Ripon). After more than seven decades as a mission church of St. Mary's in Stockton, St. Patrick's was formally established as a parish in 1946 with the building of a new church and the appointment of Father Leon Bernard as its first pastor. Today the parish celebrates Mass in English, Spanish, and Latin, runs faith formation programs for children and families, sponsors a St. Vincent de Paul conference, and offers Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. A historic St. John's Cemetery, named for early benefactor John B. O'Malley, adjoins the church property on East Highway 120.
- Established
- 1874 (mission); 1946 (established as parish)
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Fr. Sleevaraj (Sleeva) Pasala, Parochial Administrator
- Diocese
- Diocese of Stockton
Why belong here
St. Patrick's is a warm, bilingual Catholic community rooted in 150 years of faith in the San Joaquin Valley. Parishioners can worship in English, Spanish, or Latin at Mass, attend Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration around the clock, and bring children into a year-round Faith Formation and Family Catechesis program that walks them through First Communion, Reconciliation, and Confirmation. Outreach through the parish's St. Vincent de Paul conference, along with RCIA for adults seeking to become Catholic, makes it a place where families can grow in faith together.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM in the Church (English and Spanish)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration is offered in the parish chapel. To sign up for an hour, contact Teresa Vandenburg at 209-599-8451 (English) or Elizabeth at 209-948-6853 (Spanish).
Welcome from the Pastor
Fr. Sleevaraj (Sleeva) Pasala, Parochial Administrator, extends a personal welcome to the website and invites visitors to attend Mass and explore the parish's resources. 'All are welcome and I look forward to seeing you at Mass.' The parish's mission statement speaks of cultivating faith as a parish family nurtured through the Holy Eucharist.
Parish History
St. Patrick's story begins in 1874, when the Carroll family hosted the first Catholic service in Atlanta (now Ripon) and Fr. William O'Connor of St. Mary's in Stockton built a small wooden chapel. The chapel was remodeled in 1900 with windows and an altar from St. Agnes Convent, Stockton. Land for the church and cemetery was given by Irish immigrant John B. O'Malley, and the congregation's mostly Irish membership inspired the name St. Patrick's; the adjacent cemetery was named St. John's in O'Malley's honor. After more than seventy years as a mission, the community was elevated to parish status in 1946, and Father Leon Bernard became the first pastor. The parish house was added in 1947, the church hall in 1952, and classrooms and a shrine to Our Lady of Fatima followed. An oil painting of St. Patrick (c. 1880) remains in the church, and parishioners have discussed remodeling or relocating the campus to accommodate continued growth.
- 1874 — First Catholic service hosted by the Carroll family in Atlanta (later Ripon)
- 1874 — Small wooden chapel built by Fr. William O'Connor of St. Mary's, Stockton
- 1900 — Chapel remodeled with windows and altar from St. Agnes Convent, Stockton
- 1946 — New church built; mission elevated to parish status; Father Leon Bernard named first pastor
- 1947 — Parish house built
- 1952 — Church hall built
- Classrooms and Our Lady of Fatima shrine added over subsequent decades
- St. John's Cemetery adjacent to church: 3,000+ burials
St. John's Cemetery
Adjoining St. Patrick's, St. John's Cemetery has been in continuous use since the nineteenth century and today contains more than 3,000 burial sites. The cemetery was named in honor of John B. O'Malley, the Irish immigrant who donated the land that the church and cemetery occupy. It remains an important ministry of the parish.
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all of the seven Catholic Sacraments. Preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation begins at age-appropriate levels through the Faith Formation program. Adults who wish to enter the Catholic Church are served through RCIA. Couples preparing for marriage and families arranging baptisms are invited to contact the parish office at (209) 838-2133. For Last Rites / Anointing of the Sick after hours, parishioners and families should call (209) 838-2133 and follow the prompts to reach a priest.
- Baptism — Contact the parish office to arrange
- First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, Confirmation — through Faith Formation
- Matrimony — contact the parish office for preparation and scheduling
- Anointing of the Sick / Last Rites — day or night via (209) 838-2133
- RCIA — for adults preparing to become Catholic
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Patrick's is built around the principle that parents are the primary educators of their children's faith — the parish's role is to support the 'domestic church.' The Religious Education Program serves children ages 5 to 17 and prepares them for the Sacraments of Penance, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation at the appropriate ages. The parish has introduced a Family Catechesis model that allows the whole household to learn together. Catechists are trained volunteers dedicated to walking alongside parents in handing on the Catholic faith. A modest donation is requested to help sustain the program. Coordinator: Dawn Gonzalez, 209-838-2133, [email protected].
- Family Catechesis model for at-home and parish-based learning
- Religious Education for children ages 5–17
- Sacramental preparation for Penance, First Communion, and Confirmation
- Coordinator: Dawn Gonzalez
- Bilingual program (English and Spanish)
Educación Religiosa (Catecismo)
La parroquia ofrece un programa de Educación Religiosa en español para niños y jóvenes de 5 a 17 años. La misión es asistir a las familias en la formación espiritual de sus hijos, reconociendo que los padres son los primeros maestros de la fe — la iglesia doméstica. El programa prepara a los estudiantes para recibir los Sacramentos de Reconciliación, Primera Comunión y Confirmación. Para más información comuníquese al 209-838-2133 o por correo electrónico a [email protected].
RCIA / Becoming Catholic
Adults inquiring about the Catholic faith or considering full initiation through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA/OCIA) are invited to contact the parish office at (209) 838-2133 or [email protected] to begin the conversation.
Youth Ministry
St. Patrick's supports a Youth Ministry program for the parish's middle-school and high-school youth, gathering teens in fellowship, faith formation, and service.
St. Vincent de Paul Conference
The parish sponsors a local conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, providing direct outreach to neighbors in need in and around Ripon. To request help or learn how to volunteer, contact the parish office at (209) 838-2133.
Music & Liturgy
Music at St. Patrick's is led by two directors who serve the parish's English- and Spanish-speaking communities. Madeline Archibeque directs the English choir and Alicia Gomez directs the Spanish choir. The parish's Mass and music schedule is integrated into the website, and a livestream of the Saturday 5:00 PM English Mass is made available for those unable to attend in person.
- Music Director (English): Madeline Archibeque
- Music Director (Spanish): Alicia Gomez
- Saturday 5:00 PM Mass livestreamed in English
Parish Staff & Office
St. Patrick's is served by a resident Parochial Administrator, two deacons, and a small staff of lay coordinators and musicians. Day-to-day operations are handled through the parish office, which is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and closed on weekends, holidays, and Holy Days.
- Parochial Administrator: Fr. Sleevaraj Pasala
- Parish Life Coordinator/Pastor: Deacon Tom Ciccarelli
- Deacon: Juan Estupiñan
- Executive Assistant: Arlene Riemersma
- Catechism/Confirmation Coordinator: Dawn Gonzalez
- Music Director (English): Madeline Archibeque
- Music Director (Spanish): Alicia Gomez
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (closed Sat/Sun and on holidays/Holy Days)
Visit & Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Patrick's at 19399 E. Highway 120, Ripon, CA 95366, by phone at (209) 838-2133, or by email at [email protected]. The website is http://www.stpatricksripon.com/. For Last Rites or Anointing of the Sick after hours, callers should dial the main number and follow the prompts to be connected with a priest. Note that Anointing of the Sick is only given to the living; it cannot be conferred after a loved one has passed.
- Address: 19399 E. Highway 120, Ripon, CA 95366
- Phone: (209) 838-2133
- Fax: (209) 838-1077
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.stpatricksripon.com/
- After-hours Last Rites: (209) 838-2133 (follow prompts)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. William O'Connor
Pastor of St. Mary's Stockton; built the original wooden chapel in Atlanta (Ripon) in 1874.
- Father Leon Bernard1946
First pastor of St. Patrick's when it was elevated from mission to parish status.