St. Sebastian

Welcome and Identity

St. Sebastian Catholic Church presents itself as a parish dedicated to the Universal Call to Holiness through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and Sacraments. The parish describes its foundation as proclaiming the truth of the Gospel handed down from the Apostles to the Holy Father and Bishops for the past 2,000 years. Whether you are a regular parishioner or just visiting the area, the parish extends a warm welcome in both English and Spanish.

History of St. Sebastian Parish

St. Sebastian's was formally established as a parish in 1897, with its territory carved from St. Rose of Lima in Santa Rosa. The first St. Sebastian church was built in 1895 on Bodega Avenue near Depot Street on land donated by Mr. and Mrs. John A. Brown; the congregation raised about $3,000 to build it. That church served the community for decades before being demolished in the 1950s, when the parish relocated to its current site at 7983 Covert Lane.

• Parish established: 1897 (from territory of St. Rose of Lima, Santa Rosa)
• Original church built: 1895, Bodega Avenue near Depot Street
• Land for original church: donated by Mr. and Mrs. John A. Brown
• Original building demolished: 1950s
• Current Covert Lane church built: late 1950s

Recent Renewal Under Father Mario Valencia

Father Mario Valencia, a priest from Tepic, Nayarit, in western Mexico, arrived at St. Sebastian around 2019 and is widely credited with reviving parish life. In the year after his arrival the Latino congregation grew roughly 60–70% to about 350 families, and Sunday Masses filled to standing-room-only. Long-time parishioners describe him as energetic, personal, and committed to bilingual and bicultural worship, including mariachi and conchero dance traditions that observe strict liturgical rules.

• Father Valencia first came to Northern California in 2010 to visit his sister.
• The Latino congregation has grown to roughly 350 families under his leadership.
• Bilingual Masses are celebrated for Christmas Eve, Easter Vigil, Thanksgiving, and major feasts.

Faith Formation and Catechesis

Religious education for children, including the multi-year catechesis that culminates in Confirmation, is coordinated by Lulu Tejeda. The 2020 program was offered on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6:45 to 7:45 pm and combined in-person and online learning. The parish also notes that Confirmation is part of a broader sacramental formation alongside Baptism and First Communion.

• Catechesis for children and Confirmation preparation
• Coordinator: Lulu Tejeda
• Classes historically held Wednesday and Thursday evenings (6:45–7:45 pm)

Sacraments

The parish office helps arrange Baptisms, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Quinceañeras, and Anointing of the Sick. Weddings and Quinceañeras require six months of advance notice, and Quinceañera candidates must have received (or be preparing to receive) the three sacraments of initiation and be practicing their faith.

• Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation
• Marriage: six months advance notice; diocesan prep required
• Quinceañeras: six months advance notice; recipient must be practicing the faith
• Anointing of the Sick / Emergency line: 707-823-2208 ext. 105

Parish Staff and Contacts

The parish is led by its pastor, supported by a parish secretary, a religious education coordinator, and a Safe Environment coordinator. All are reachable through the main parish office.

• Pastor: Rev. Mario Valencia, P.A. — 707-823-2208 ext. 103 — [email protected]
• Parish Secretary: Rosy Viramontes — 707-823-2208 ext. 101 — [email protected]
• Religious Education / Safe Environment: Lulu Tejeda — 707-823-2208

Visiting and Office Hours

The parish office is open Tuesday through Friday with morning and midday hours. Visitors are welcome at any Mass, and the church is open for parish devotions and prayer meetings throughout the week. There is a large parking lot on site, though busy Sundays and feast days may require parking on adjacent residential streets.

• Office hours: Tuesday 9:30 am–2:00 pm; Wednesday 10:00 am–2:00 pm; Thursday 9:30 am–2:00 pm; Friday 9:30 am–12:30 pm
• Main address: 7983 Covert Lane, Sebastopol, CA 95472
• Phone: (707) 823-2208 — Fax: (707) 823-1098