About St. Philomena Catholic Church · Carson, California
St. Philomena Catholic Church is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish serving the city of Carson in the Los Angeles Harbor area, part of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Founded in 1956 by Cardinal James Francis McIntyre, the parish has grown from a single Mass held in a Plasterer's Union Hall into a large, multi-ethnic community with seven Sunday Masses, a daily bilingual Mass, a Catholic elementary school administered by the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart, and a wide array of ministries for English-, Spanish-, and Samoan-speaking Catholics. Worship is offered in English, Spanish, and Samoan, and the parish welcomes over sixty groups and ministries under its roof.
- Established
- 1956
- Patron
- St. Philomena (early Christian virgin martyr)
- Rector
- Rev. Francis Ilano
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Why belong here
St. Philomena is one of Carson's most active Catholic parishes, offering seven Sunday Masses, a daily bilingual Mass, Friday confessions in English and Spanish, and an all-night First Friday Adoration. Beyond the sanctuary, parishioners can get involved in Young Adult Ministry (The Way YAM), Youth Ministry, Confirmation preparation, OCIA (formerly RCIA), a Religious Education program that prepares children for First Communion in English, Spanish, and Samoan, a school served by the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart, parish Bingo nights, and dozens of other ministries. The parish's longstanding commitment to welcoming multiple language communities and cultures makes it a fitting spiritual home for families throughout the South Bay.
Mass times at St. Philomena Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM (English and Spanish)
Adoration times
- First Friday: 7:00 PM All-night Adoration until 6:00 AM Saturday morning
Parish History
St. Philomena was established in 1956 by Cardinal James Francis McIntyre as a new parish for the growing city of Carson. From its first Mass celebrated in a union hall, the community quickly built a church, a rectory, a convent, and a parochial school. Successive pastors expanded the staff, ministries, and physical plant, culminating in the dedication of a new, larger church on March 10, 2002 under Father Demetrio Bugayong.
- 1956: Parish established by Cardinal McIntyre; first Mass in Plasterer's Union Hall, September 30
- 1957: Groundbreaking for church and school buildings, April 28
- 1958: St. Philomena Parochial School opens September 15 with grades 1–4, staffed by Carmelite Sisters
- 1959: Church and school dedicated by Cardinal McIntyre
- 1978: Father William P. O'Toole appointed pastor; broadens parish staff
- 1983: Arise and Build capital fund launched, ultimately raising over $1.24 million
- 1994: Father Rizalino Carranza becomes pastor; creates Financial and Pastoral Councils
- 1998: Ground blessing for the new church, April 18
- 2000: Father Demetrio Bugayong installed as pastor, March 5
- 2002: New St. Philomena Church dedicated, March 10
Parish Staff & Clergy
St. Philomena is currently served by a pastor, an associate pastor, and a pastor emeritus, supported by a large lay staff responsible for religious education, youth ministry, OCIA, liturgy, school administration, parish secretarial work, and facilities.
- Pastor: Rev. Francis Ilano
- Associate Pastor: Rev. Thomas Green
- Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Demetrio Bugayong
- School Principal: Sr. Faustina, OCD
- Director of Confirmation & Youth Ministry: Victoria Herrera
- OCIA Coordinator: Jolynn Poasa
- Liturgy Coordinator: Don Penalba
- Religious Education Secretary: Narcy Sequeira
- Parish Secretary: Terry Thompson
- Parish Bookkeeper: Abner Espanola
- Facility Manager: Maryfern A. Suafoa
- Church Custodian: Ding Hernando
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a Religious Education Program (REP) that prepares children and youth for the sacraments, with First Communion classes held in English, Spanish, and Samoan, and a two-year high school Confirmation process that combines classroom catechesis, retreats, parish involvement, and Christian service.
- First Communion classes in English, Spanish, and Samoan, September through May
- Two-year Sacramental Preparation process (Reconciliation and First Eucharist)
- Two-year high school Confirmation process with weekly catechesis, retreats, and 40 hours of service
- Parent orientation, formation, and sponsor support meetings required
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for adults preparing to enter the Church
St. Philomena Catholic School
St. Philomena Catholic School, located at 21832 South Main Street in Carson, is a fully accredited elementary school in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles serving students from Pre-K through 8th grade. The school has been administered by the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles since its opening in 1958 and emphasizes formation of the whole person — spiritual, academic, social, and physical — in a family-like environment rooted in the spirituality of Venerable Mother Luisita.
- Grades Pre-K through 8th
- Administered by the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles since 1958
- Fully accredited by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
- School phone: (310) 835-4827
- Website: https://stphilomenaschool.org
Parish Ministries & Community Life
St. Philomena's pastoral life is built around a wide range of ministries serving youth, young adults, and adults of multiple language communities, along with longstanding devotional and outreach groups including Bereavement Ministry, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and parish Bingo nights in the Parish Hall.
- Young Adult Ministry (The Way YAM) — Instagram @thewayyam
- Youth Ministry for teens
- Confirmation preparation
- OCIA for adults
- Religious Education in English, Spanish, and Samoan
- Bereavement Ministry (formed in the late 1970s)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (first formed 1975)
- Parish Bingo — 2nd & 4th Friday in the Parish Hall at 6:30 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Frederick Callahan1956–1977
Founding pastor; built the church, rectory, school, and convent buildings.
- Rev. William P. O'Toole1978–1994
Broadened parish staff (DRE, Youth, Adult Ed, RCIA, Confirmation, Liturgy, Pastoral Associate); launched Arise and Build fund.
- Rev. Rizalino Carranza1994–1999
Created Financial and Pastoral Councils; began planning for new church; ground blessing 1998.
- Rev. Demetrio Bugayong2000–present (Pastor Emeritus)
Presided over construction of the new church, dedicated March 10, 2002; led Unity Workshop for multi-ethnic parish life.
- Rev. Francis Ilano
Current pastor.