About St. Therese of Carmel · San Diego, California
St. Thérèse of Carmel is a joyful, Eucharistic-centered Catholic parish in the Carmel Valley neighborhood of San Diego, California, belonging to the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego. Originally founded in 1985 as the Church of St. William of York, it was renamed in 2003 to honor St. Thérèse of Lisieux (the Little Flower), inspired by striking accounts of her intercession during the parish's difficult years of debt and construction. Today the parish worships in English and Mandarin, runs Notre Dame Academy (Preschool through Grade 8), and serves more than 4,000 registered families from a campus on Del Mar Trails Road.
- Established
- 1985
- Patron
- St. Thérèse of Lisieux (the Little Flower)
- Rector
- Fr. Brent Kruger
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego
Why belong here
St. Thérèse of Carmel offers a rare combination of small-parish warmth and large-parish resources: weekend Mass in both English and Mandarin, a daily Mass schedule, perpetual and weekly Eucharistic Adoration, an active OCIA (RCIA) process, and a full sacramental preparation pathway from Baptism through Confirmation. Notre Dame Academy, a Preschool–Grade 8 Catholic school, is right on the campus, and the parish runs a deep bench of ministries — from the Knights of Columbus and Women's Guild to Mom's Ministry, Sixties Plus, Young Adult Ministry, and the parish-wide Annual Pilgrimage — so newcomers of any age or stage of life can find a way to belong.
Mass times at St. Therese of Carmel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (in the Confessional at the back of the church; ends by 4:00 PM so the priest can prepare for the Vigil Mass)
- Communal Penance Services during Advent and Lent
Adoration times
- Tuesday Exposition: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Wednesday Exposition: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM (following daily Mass)
- First Friday Exposition: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- First Friday Adoration & Benediction Holy Hour: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Holy Thursday Vigil (perpetual adoration sign-up overnight)
- When the church is open, the faithful are welcome to come at any time for quiet prayer before the Tabernacle
The Story of Our Land & Parish
The parish's identity is rooted in a remarkable chain of providence. The 1985 founding of St. William of York, the 1999 appointment of Fr. Nicholas Dempsey, the $2 million bequest from Marjorie Therese Siemens, the grocery delivery of roses, and Bob Baker's matching pledge all combined to rename the parish in 2003 and dedicate the present church in 2007. The 'Story of Our Land' section (Roots of the Land, From Ranch to Parish, A Parish is Born, Providence and the Little Flower, Building the Church and School, Today and the Road Ahead) is told in the voices of former owners Bob and Ann Stephens, Meg Casey, Paula Salinas, and Techie Rodriguez, and is the parish's most cherished narrative.
- 1870s — Felix McGonigle homesteads ~2,000 acres in McGonigle Canyon
- By 1900 — Sisters of Mercy establish Mt. Carmel Ranch (dairy, convent, orphanage)
- 1940s — Sisters donate 10 acres to the Diocese of San Diego for a future parish
- September 1, 1985 — Parish founded as the Church of St. William of York; Fr. George Byrne first pastor
- 1993 — First permanent structure (Worship Center) built
- 1996 — First Chinese Mass celebrated on Christmas Eve
- July 1999 — Fr. Nicholas Dempsey appointed pastor
- September 4, 2003 — Parish renamed St. Thérèse of Carmel
- 2004 — Groundbreaking for new church and Notre Dame Academy
- 2005 — Notre Dame Academy opens
- October 1, 2006 — New church opens on the feast of St. Thérèse of Lisieux
- May 2007 — Bishop Robert Brom formally dedicates the church
- July 1, 2017 — Fr. Chris Tozzi appointed pastor
- 2021 — Notre Dame Academy placed under parish governance
- 2025 — Parish has grown to 4,000+ registered families
- July 1, 2026 — Fr. Brent Kruger appointed new pastor
Sacraments
The parish shepherds parishioners through every Catholic sacrament. Baptisms are celebrated communally on scheduled Sundays after the 11:00 AM Mass by Deacon John Fanelle, with a monthly Zoom preparation class. First Eucharist is a two-year program typically beginning in Grade 1 and celebrated in Grade 2. Confirmation is a two-year program beginning in Grade 9, with the sacrament in Grade 10; adults prepare through OCIA.
- Baptism — Deacon John Fanelle, [email protected]; monthly Zoom class
- First Eucharist — Elementary Faith Formation, Coordinator: Britin Hanson
- Confirmation — Youth & Young Adult Minister Marisabel Patteson
- OCIA / RCIA — for adults entering the Church, Easter Vigil reception
- Matrimony — Wedding Director: Mary Lucena Stevens
- Penance & Reconciliation — Saturday 3–4 PM; Advent & Lent communal services
- Anointing of the Sick
- Funerals — coordinated by Business Manager Malou Palmore
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's catechetical ministries span childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, with parallel tracks for families in parish life and adults entering the Church.
- Elementary Faith Formation (Britin Hanson, Coordinator)
- Confirmation preparation (two years, Grades 9–10)
- OCIA / RCIA for adults
- Adult Bible Study (Carlie Ward, Coordinator)
- Director of Religious Education: John Navarette
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Music and the careful preparation of the liturgy are central to parish life. The Director of Music, Catherine Marshall, leads the parish's liturgical music program, supported by a wide range of liturgical volunteers who serve weekday and Sunday Masses, baptisms, funerals, weddings, holy hours, and special events.
- Director of Music: Catherine Marshall
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Sacristans (coordinated by Deacon John Fanelle and Anne Magoff)
- Altar Linen ministry
- Ministers of Hospitality (ushers/greeters)
- Altar Servers
- Lectors
Prayer & Devotions
Beyond the Mass schedule, the parish cultivates a robust prayer life rooted in Eucharistic Adoration, the Rosary, and Marian devotion, including a parish-wide annual pilgrimage.
- Eucharistic Adoration (multiple weekly slots; contact Alida Yevchak to sign up)
- Healing Prayer ministry
- Rosary
- Our Lady of Fatima Devotion
- Annual Parish Pilgrimage
Parish Life & Fellowship
A wide spectrum of parish groups ensures that newcomers of every age, background, and family stage can find community. The parish is home to a long-running Chinese Catholic community that now serves the entire Diocese of San Diego.
- Knights of Columbus (caretakers of the parish cemetery)
- Parish Women's Guild
- Mom's Ministry
- Sixties Plus (senior fellowship)
- Friends and Fellowship Groups
- Young Adult Ministry (Marisabel Patteson)
- San Diego Chinese Catholic Community / Chinese Community ministry
Notre Dame Academy
Notre Dame Academy is the parish's Christ-centered Catholic school serving Preschool through Grade 8, located at 4345 Del Mar Trails Road, right next to the parish campus. Originally founded in 2005 by the French Union-Chrétienne de Saint Chaumond Sisters (Sister Agnes Clisson and Sister Anne Perrin), the school was placed under parish governance in 2021. NDA partners with families to educate the whole child — mind, body, and spirit — within a nurturing, faith-filled community, with rolling admissions and a co-ed enrollment of roughly 250–277 students.
- Address: 4345 Del Mar Trails Road, San Diego, CA 92130
- Phone: (858) 509-2300
- Grades: Preschool – 8
- Enrollment: ~250–277 students; coed
- Tuition: starting at $11,500 (per San Diego Magazine partner content)
- Affiliations: National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA); located within the boundaries of the Del Mar Union Elementary School District
- Athletics: North County Parochial League
- Co-curricular: music, art, physical education, foreign language, athletics
- Original 1872 'Big House' (former McGonigle homestead, expanded 1915) still stands across Route 56
The Parish Cemetery
A historic one-acre cemetery on the south side of the parish grounds was set aside by the Sisters of Mercy in the early 20th century. Nearly 100 pioneers, Mexican laborers, Catholics, and Protestants are buried in its east and west sections, and it is lovingly maintained by the parish's Knights of Columbus council.
- Established by the Sisters of Mercy alongside Mt. Carmel Ranch
- Cared for today by the Knights of Columbus of St. Thérèse of Carmel
Parish Staff
The day-to-day life of the parish is shepherded by Fr. Brent Kruger (pastor, effective July 1, 2026), Fr. Chris Tozzi (pastor through June 30, 2026, now Pastor Emeritus), Fr. Nicholas Dempsey (Pastor Emeritus), and Deacon John D. Fanelle, supported by a professional staff and ministry coordinators.
- Fr. Brent Kruger — Pastor (effective July 1, 2026)
- Deacon John D. Fanelle
- Mary Lucena Stevens — Office Manager & Wedding Director
- Malou Palmore — Business Manager & Funeral Coordinator
- Catherine Marshall — Director of Music
- John Navarette — Director of Religious Education
- Elias Damian — Facilities Manager
- Carlie Ward — Adult Bible Study Coordinator
- Britin Hanson — Elementary Faith Formation Coordinator
- Marisabel Patteson — Youth & Young Adult Minister
- Priscilla Pye — PT Youth and Young Adult Coordinator
- Vanessa Mach — Administrative Assistant/Receptionist
Becoming a Parishioner
Registration is a practical and spiritual step: it affirms a desire to be part of the Catholic community, makes enrollment in Faith Formation and ministries easier, simplifies preparation for the sacraments, enables sponsorship letters, and ensures the parish can communicate with families. Registration forms are available on the parish website or by contacting the office at (858) 481-3232.
- Online registration available via the parish website
- Required for sacramental sponsorship and Faith Formation enrollment
- Parish phone: (858) 481-3232
Stewardship & Online Giving
Online giving sustains the sacraments, faith formation, outreach, and the daily life of the parish. The parish also participates annually in the Annual Catholic Appeal of the Diocese of San Diego.
- Online Giving available via the parish website
- Annual Catholic Appeal (Diocese of San Diego) supported
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. George ByrneJuly 1985 – July 1999
Founding pastor of the parish originally established as the Church of St. William of York.
- Fr. Nicholas DempseyJuly 1999 – 2017
Built the current church, school, and Parish Center; led the 2003 renaming to St. Thérèse of Carmel. Now serves as Pastor Emeritus.
- Fr. Chris TozziJuly 1, 2017 – June 30, 2026
Served during the parish's growth through the pandemic to more than 4,000 families.
- Fr. Brent KrugerEffective July 1, 2026
Appointed pastor by the Office of the Bishop; previously Vicar for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs for the Diocese of San Diego.