About St. Robert · San Bruno, California
Saint Robert's Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in San Bruno, California, situated thirteen miles south of San Francisco and part of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. The parish community, which grew out of the older St. Bruno's Parish, celebrated its first Mass on June 8, 1958 and was officially established later that year, named for St. Robert of the House of God, an 11th-century French priest known for serving the poor. Today the parish is led by Pastor Rev. Arnold Zamora, with Parochial Vicar Rev. Boie Espeleta, Deacon Michael Smith, and Sunday Assistant Rev. Stewart Wilber, and offers daily Mass, four Sunday Masses, a robust music ministry, faith formation, and active parish organizations such as the Men's Club, Women's Guild, and Latino Club.
- Established
- 1958
- Patron
- St. Robert of the House of God
- Rector
- Rev. Arnold Zamora
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of San Francisco
Why belong here
St. Robert's is a welcoming, mid-sized Peninsula parish with Mass offered every day — including a daily 8:15am Mass Monday through Saturday and four Sunday Masses (with three livestreamed) — plus Saturday confession and First Friday adoration. A 'People Parish' since 1958, it offers a deep well of community life through the Exultate Adult Choir, Herald Youth Choir, and School Liturgical Choir, parish councils (Pastoral, Financial, Liturgical, Stewardship), and active social and service groups such as the Men's Club, Women's Guild, and Latino Club. With faith formation for every age, sacramental preparation, outreach, and a long tradition of parish fellowship in Hennessy Hall, newcomers are warmly invited to register, join Flocknotes, and find a ministry that fits their gifts.
Mass times at St. Robert
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:15 PM (and by appointment)
Adoration times
- First Friday 8:45 AM – 9:45 AM (First Friday Devotion and Adoration)
- First Saturday of the month after the 8:30 AM Mass
Parish History
St. Robert's was carved out of St. Bruno's Parish in 1958 and named for St. Robert of the House of God. The story begins with the older St. Bruno's Mission on San Bruno Avenue, established as a parish in 1912, and the post-1906 earthquake growth that turned San Bruno dairy land into the neighborhoods of Mills Park, Crestmoor, and Rollingwood. World War II-era pastor Father Peter E. Doyle purchased the lots on Oak Avenue and Crystal Springs Road where a school opened in 1949, and Father Robert J. Hennessy broke ground on the new church in 1957 and celebrated the first Mass on June 8, 1958. From its earliest days the parish has been called a 'People Parish,' a tradition continued under successive pastors including Father Daniel Lynch, Father Martin Greenlaw, Father Vincent Ring, Monsignor Bruce Dreier, Father Roberto Andrey ('Fr. Obet'), Father John L. Greene, and the current pastor Father Arnold Zamora.
- St. Bruno's Parish established 1912 (originally a Mission).
- Ground broken July 14, 1957; first Mass June 8, 1958.
- Parish named by Archbishop John J. Mitty on November 5, 1958.
- School opened 1949 (Sisters of St. Francis of Milwaukee).
- Irish Presentation Sisters arrived 1970 to staff school and serve parish.
- Father John L. Greene served July 2012 – July 2020.
- Father Arnold Zamora installed as pastor July 2020.
Mass and Sacrament Times
St. Robert's offers an unusually full schedule of Masses — a daily 8:15 AM Mass Monday through Saturday, four Sunday Masses (7:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:30 AM, and 5:00 PM), and a Saturday Vigil at 4:30 PM. Three of the weekend Masses (Saturday Vigil, 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM Sunday) are livestreamed for parishioners who cannot attend in person. The Sacrament of Penance is heard on Saturdays from 3:30 to 4:15 PM and by appointment.
- Weekdays: Monday–Saturday 8:15 AM (livestreamed).
- Saturday Vigil: 4:30 PM (livestreamed).
- Sunday: 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM (livestreamed), 11:30 AM (livestreamed), 5:00 PM.
- Confession: Saturday 3:30–4:15 PM and by appointment.
Clergy and Staff
The pastoral team is led by Pastor Rev. Arnold Zamora, who came to St. Robert's in July 2020 from Holy Name Parish in San Francisco, where he served 11 years. He is assisted by Parochial Vicar Rev. Boie Espeleta, Deacon Michael Smith (Pastoral Associate), and retired Sunday Assistant Rev. Stewart Wilber. Parish office staff include Ms Lisa Gonzalez and Mr Ricky Inting, with the office open 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
- Pastor — Rev. Arnold Zamora, ext. 15.
- Parochial Vicar — Rev. Boie Espeleta, ext. 23.
- Pastoral Associate / Deacon — Michael Smith.
- Sunday Assistant (Retired) — Rev. Stewart Wilber.
- Office Staff — Lisa Gonzalez, Ricky Inting.
Ministries and Groups
St. Robert's organizes parish life around four parish councils (Pastoral, Financial, Liturgical, and Stewardship) and a wide range of liturgical, social, outreach, faith formation, and sacramental ministries. The parish encourages new members to get involved — joining a ministry is presented as a way to build community, foster connections, grow spiritually, and engage beyond Sunday Mass.
- Parish Pastoral Council
- Financial Council
- Liturgical Council
- Stewardship Council
- Liturgical ministries (altar servers, lectors, extraordinary ministers, etc.)
- Social ministries
- Outreach ministries
- Faith Formation
- Sacramental preparation
Men's Club
The St. Robert's Men's Club is a social and service organization open to all adult men of the parish. Rooted in Catholic fellowship, members support the mission of the parish through service, community, and shared faith. The Club meets on the first Monday of each month in Hennessy Hall; doors open at 6:00 PM, admission is $25 (first-time guests free), and meetings typically include a meal, refreshments, planning for parish and school initiatives, and watching the evening's big game.
Women's Guild
St. Robert's Women's Guild is a parish organization that brings together the women of the parish and school to support and uplift one another. It sponsors and hosts social and service activities throughout the year to generate financial support for the parish and school — including a monthly social, Breakfast with Santa, and the Annual Auction. The Guild meets on the second Monday of each month (unless there is a holiday) at 6:30 PM in Hennessy Hall.
Latino Club
The Latino Club of St. Robert's Church is a growing community within the parish; its first event was held on a Sunday in celebration of Cinco de Mayo, with more gatherings planned. Parishioners interested in joining can contact the parish office for details.
Music Ministry
Music holds a vital place in the liturgy at St. Robert's. The Music Ministry welcomes all who wish to share their musical gifts — singers and instrumentalists — and includes three ensembles: the Exultate Adult Choir, the Herald Youth Choir, and the School Liturgical Choir. Cantors, choirs, and musicians collaborate to create a reverent atmosphere that draws the congregation deeper into worship, drawing on both traditional forms and contemporary sacred compositions.
- Exultate Adult Choir
- Herald Youth Choir
- School Liturgical Choir
- Cantor ministry
Get Involved and New Parishioners
St. Robert's invites newcomers to join the parish family by filling out a new parishioner registration form, signing up for Flocknotes for parish news and updates by email and text, and contacting the parish office with any questions. Volunteers are also invited to support the parish and the wider Archdiocese of San Francisco through stewardship and giving.
- New parishioner registration form
- Flocknotes email/text updates
- Parish and Archdiocesan stewardship
News, Bulletins, and Anniversaries
The parish publishes a weekly bulletin, Mass intentions, and ongoing news updates on its website, including features on clergy milestones such as Fr. Arnold Zamora's 39th and 40th Sacerdotal (Ordination) Anniversaries, when the school and parish community joined together to honor his years of priesthood.
- Weekly Sunday Bulletin
- Mass Intentions
- Fr. Arnold Zamora's 40th Sacerdotal Anniversary
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Peter E. DoyleLongtime pastor of St. Bruno's through mid-1950s
Purchased lots on Oak Ave and Crystal Springs Rd.; school opened 1949 with Sisters of St. Francis of Milwaukee.
- Rev. Robert J. Hennessy1955–c.1969 (Administrator then Pastor)
Broke ground July 14, 1957; first Mass June 8, 1958; recruited the Irish Presentation Sisters in 1970.
- Rev. Daniel Lynch
Successor pastor after Father Hennessy.
- Rev. Martin Greenlaw
Successor pastor.
- Rev. Vincent Ring
Successor pastor.
- Msgr. Bruce Dreier
Successor pastor.
- Rev. Roberto Andrey ('Fr. Obet')
Ordained 1983 for Diocese of Lucena; incardinated Archdiocese of San Francisco 2003; came from St. Peter's Pacifica; reassigned to St. Patrick's SF, June 2012.
- Rev. John L. GreeneJuly 2012 – July 2020
Ordained May 15, 1976; previously pastor of St. Monica's SF; Chaplain of SF Fire Dept. since 1982 and North County Fire Dept. for 20+ years; served 7½ years at St. Robert's.
- Rev. Arnold ZamoraJuly 2020 – present
Came from Holy Name Parish, San Francisco, where he served 11 years.