About St. Thomas the Apostle · Riverside, California
St. Thomas the Apostle is a Roman Catholic parish in Riverside, California, located at 3774 Jackson Street in the Arlington area of the city. Founded in 1903 originally as a mission chapel for the Native American students at Sherman Indian High School, it was raised to parish status in 1914 and is today part of the Diocese of San Bernardino. The parish is bilingual (English and Spanish), celebrates a full daily and weekend Mass schedule including a 1:00 p.m. Spanish Sunday Mass, runs a Catholic school (St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School on Magnolia Avenue), and offers OCIA, Confirmation, and Families of Faith formation. Its current pastor is Very Rev. Theodore "Ted" P. Drennan, V.F., appointed July 1, 2024, with Fr. Celestine Afugwobi as Parochial Vicar and Deacon Raul Michel serving the community.
- Established
- 1903
- Patron
- St. Thomas the Apostle
- Rector
- Very Rev. Theodore "Ted" P. Drennan, V.F.
- Diocese
- Diocese of San Bernardino
Why belong here
St. Thomas the Apostle is a bilingual, century-old parish with unusually deep roots — founded in 1903 as a mission for the Native American students at Sherman Institute, sustained for 60 years by the Franciscan Conventuals, and now thriving under diocesan leadership. Practical reasons to belong: a full daily Mass schedule (Monday–Saturday at 8:00 a.m., Wednesday evening Mass in English, Friday evening Mass in Spanish), five weekend Masses including a 1:00 p.m. Spanish Mass, weekly Confession on Saturdays, Adoration every Friday, and sacramental preparation that runs from OCIA for adults to Confirmation and the 'Families of Faith' children's program. The parish is also home to St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School on Magnolia Avenue, and maintains a strong Hispanic ministry centered on Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission — making it an especially good fit for English- and Spanish-speaking Catholic families in the Arlington area of Riverside seeking a parish with both tradition and active sacramental life.
Mass times at St. Thomas the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM (every Saturday)
- First Saturday of the month: 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Friday: 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM (Adoration following 8:00 AM Mass)
- First Friday of the month: 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM, plus Adoration following the 6:30 PM Spanish Mass
- First Saturday of the month: Adoration following the 8:00 AM Mass, continues until noon
Welcome & About St. Thomas the Apostle
St. Thomas the Apostle describes itself as 'Joyful Evangelizers, Stewards United in the Spirit' and a parish committed to the Gospel, empowered by the Holy Spirit, sharing the Good News. Founded in 1903 as a mission for the Native American students at Sherman Institute, it has served the Arlington area of Riverside for more than a century. The parish today offers a full daily and weekend Mass schedule in both English and Spanish, runs a Catholic school, and hosts a wide range of sacramental and formation programs for all ages.
- Founded in 1903
- Located at 3774 Jackson Street, Riverside, CA 92503
- Part of the Diocese of San Bernardino
- Pastoral vision: 'Joyful Evangelizers, Stewards United in the Spirit'
Parish History
The parish traces its origins to 1903, when the Sherman Indian High School relocated from Perris to Riverside under the name Sherman Institute. Fr. Michael and Peter Goethals championed building a chapel for the students; Bishop Thomas James Conaty of Monterey-Los Angeles used proceeds from the 'Pious Fund of the Californias' arbitration settlement (adjudicated at The Hague) to fund construction. Fr. John O'Brien was the first pastor; Fr. Junek oversaw its 1914 elevation to parish status; Fr. David McAstocker, S.J., organized the CCD for laity through 1926. The Franciscan Conventuals arrived under Fr. Edmund Krolicki, OFM Conv. on Dec. 24, 1940 and would lead the parish for sixty years. Their tenure saw the 1949 Our Lady of Guadalupe chapel, the original school staffed by the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, the April 1, 1957 church fire, the 1958 temporary-church blessing, and Fr. Peter Parchem's 1967 groundbreaking and Christmas Eve 1968 first Mass in the current church. Pastoral care returned to diocesan clergy in 2002 with Fr. Joseph Felker, followed by Fr. Frank Dicristina, then Fr. Restituto Galang (2020), and current pastor Fr. Theodore 'Ted' Drennan (Pastor from July 1, 2024).
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently led by Very Rev. Theodore 'Ted' P. Drennan, V.F., appointed Pastor by Bishop Alberto Rojas effective July 1, 2024 for a six-year term. He is assisted by Parochial Vicar Rev. Celestine Afugwobi (continuing in role through 2026) and Deacon Raul Michel.
- Pastor: Very Rev. Theodore 'Ted' P. Drennan, V.F.
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Celestine Afugwobi
- Deacon: Raul Michel
- OCIA Coordinator: Catina Wilson
- Faith Formation Coordinator: Dana Robles
- Faith Formation Assistant: Eileen Gamboa
- Adult Confirmation Coordinator: Grace Fernandez
Mass & Worship Schedule
The parish celebrates Mass daily in English (Monday–Saturday 8:00 AM, with Wednesday evening 6:30 PM), Friday evening in Spanish (6:30 PM), Saturday Vigil (5:00 PM), and five Sunday Masses (7:00, 9:00, 11:00 AM English; 1:00 PM Spanish; 5:00 PM English). The 5:00 PM Saturday Vigil, 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM Sunday English, and 1:00 PM Sunday Spanish Masses are live-streamed on YouTube.
- Daily Mass Mon–Sat: 8:00 AM
- Wednesday evening Mass: 6:30 PM (English)
- Friday evening Mass: 6:30 PM (Spanish)
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM
- Sunday Masses: 7:00, 9:00, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM (Spanish), 5:00 PM
Sacramental Schedule
- Confession: Saturdays 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM; First Saturday 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM; by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick: First Monday of the month after 8:00 AM Mass
- Adoration: Friday 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM; First Friday 8:30–9:30 AM and following 6:30 PM Spanish Mass; First Saturday after 8:00 AM Mass until noon
- Vespers/Morning Prayer: First Friday and First Saturday 8:00 AM, followed by Mass
- Evening Prayer: Second and Fourth Wednesdays 6:30 PM, followed by Mass
- Emergency Anointing (after hours): (951) 525-4343
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Thomas the Apostle runs a full sacramental preparation and lifelong formation program. Families of Faith is the family-based ongoing catechesis for children, partnering with parents to prepare for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults — formerly RCIA) walks unbaptized adults and adult candidates for Confirmation through the journey of Christian initiation. Youth Confirmation is open to baptized youth in grades 9–12; Adult Confirmation is available through OCIA-AC.
- Families of Faith — Coordinator: Dana Robles (ext. 240); Assistant: Eileen Gamboa (ext. 241)
- OCIA / OCIA-AC — Coordinator: Catina Wilson (ext. 207)
- Youth Confirmation (grades 9–12) — Coordinator: Dana Robles (ext. 240)
- Adult Confirmation — Coordinator: Grace Fernandez ([email protected]; ext. 233)
St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School
The parish sponsors St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School at 9136 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside. The school educates the whole child — spiritually, academically, emotionally, and physically — offering faith-based atmosphere, solid academics, a creative joy-filled faculty, and technology/art programs. Students participate in religion classes, prayer, social projects, and regular Mass attendance as part of a 21st-century Catholic learning environment.
- Address: 9136 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA
- Faith-based Pre-K through 8 education
- Regular attendance at parish Masses
- Hot lunch program and other services
- Office of Child & Youth Protection compliance
Hispanic Ministry & Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission
Since 1949, the parish has maintained Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission chapel, built under Fr. Edmund Krolicki's recommendation to Bishop Charles Francis Buddy to serve the spiritual needs of Hispanic families living nearby. Today the parish sustains that legacy through a robust Spanish-language liturgy: a 1:00 PM Sunday Mass in Spanish, a 6:30 PM Friday evening Spanish Mass, Anointing of the Sick in Spanish, and ongoing Hispanic parish life coordinated alongside the English-speaking community.
- Sunday Spanish Mass: 1:00 PM
- Friday Spanish Mass: 6:30 PM
- Unción de los Enfermos: First Monday after 8:00 AM Mass
Capital Campaign & Giving
The parish is currently running a Parking Lot Fundraising campaign with a stated goal of $365,000 to repave and improve its parking facilities. The homepage displays the running total raised and percentage of goal achieved as a transparency tool for parishioners.
- Parking Lot Fundraising Goal: $365,000.00
- Parish Office: 3774 Jackson Street, Riverside CA 92503
- Donations can be made through the parish office
Livestream & Digital Outreach
Select Masses are livestreamed via YouTube to allow homebound parishioners and those unable to attend in person to remain connected to the parish liturgical life. Live-streamed Masses include the Saturday 5:00 PM Vigil, Sunday 9:00 AM, Sunday 11:00 AM, and the 1:00 PM Spanish Mass. Wednesday 9:00 AM School Mass and Friday 8:00 AM Mass (followed by Adoration) are also broadcast.
- Saturday 5:00 PM Vigil (live)
- Sunday 9:00 AM English
- Sunday 11:00 AM English
- Sunday 1:00 PM Spanish
- Wednesday 9:00 AM (School Mass)
- Friday 8:00 AM (followed by Adoration)
Contact
Parishioners and visitors can contact the parish office by phone during business hours Monday through Friday. Specific extensions route calls to OCIA, Faith Formation, and other ministries.
- Main line: (951) 689-1131
- RCIA Coordinator: ext. 233
- Faith Formation: ext. 240
- Faith Formation Assistant: ext. 241
- Emergency Anointing (after hours only): (951) 525-4343
- Parish Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (closed 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Michaelcirca 1903 (founding)
Co-visionary with Peter Goethals for chapel at Sherman Institute; spiritual welfare of students was his concern.
- Fr. John O'Brien1903–c.1914
First appointed pastor; oversaw construction of original chapel, funded in part by Pious Fund of the Californias settlement administered by Bishop Thomas James Conaty.
- Fr. Junekc.1914
Pastor when the chapel was raised to the status of a full parish.
- Fr. David McAstocker, S.J.through 1926
Jesuit pastor; organized the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) so that laity could instruct Indian pupils after Mass.
- Fr. Balduspost-1918
Priest mentioned among those who shepherded the parish in succession after 1918.
- Fr. Hennessypost-1918
Listed among pastors who served in succession after the 1918 pandemic period.
- Fr. Lynchpost-1918
Listed among successive pastors.
- Fr. Byrnespost-1918
Listed among successive pastors.
- Fr. McHalepost-1918
Listed among successive pastors.
- Fr. Linnemanpost-1918
Last of the named diocesan pastors before the Franciscan era.
- Fr. Edmund Krolicki, OFM ConventualDec 24, 1940 – c. late 1940s/1950s
Arrived December 24, 1940, beginning the 60-year Franciscan pastorate; in 1942 outlined vision including hall, parochial school, Sisters' convent, and church remodeling; recommended Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission chapel.
- Fr. Cajeton, OFM Conv.pre-1957
During his pastorship, plans were formulated to build new church and hall; he led the parish through the April 1, 1957 fire that caused major damage.
- Fr. Peter Parchem, OFM Conv.c.1967–1968+
Groundbreaking for new church on Thanksgiving Day 1967; first Mass in new church on Christmas Eve 1968.
- Fr. Maurice, OFM Conv.c.1968–2002 (Franciscan 35-year era)
Among 35-year succession of Franciscan Conventual priests named on the parish history page.
- Fr. Tom, OFM Conv.during Franciscan era
One of 12+ Franciscan Conventual priests named.
- Fr. Edwin, OFM Conv.during Franciscan era
One of the Franciscan Conventual priests remembered.
- Fr. Max, OFM Conv.during Franciscan era
One of the Franciscan Conventual priests remembered.
- Fr. Norbert, OFM Conv.during Franciscan era
One of the Franciscan Conventual priests remembered.
- Fr. John, OFM Conv.during Franciscan era
One of the Franciscan Conventual priests remembered.
- Fr. Robert, OFM Conv.during Franciscan era
One of the Franciscan Conventual priests remembered.
- Fr. Bob, OFM Conv.during Franciscan era
One of the Franciscan Conventual priests remembered.
- Fr. Charles, OFM Conv.during Franciscan era
One of the Franciscan Conventual priests remembered.
- Fr. Fabian, OFM Conv.during Franciscan era
One of the Franciscan Conventual priests remembered.
- Fr. Bernie, OFM Conv.during Franciscan era
Last of the Franciscan Conventual priests specifically named; others unnamed ('and others') also ministered.
- Fr. Joseph Felkerappointed 2002 (diocesan era resumed)
First diocesan priest pastor after the 60-year Franciscan era; returned pastoral care to the Diocese of San Bernardino.
- Fr. Frank Dicristinauntil retirement June 2020 (7-year tenure)
Diocesan priest; administered the parish for seven years until his retirement.
- Fr. Restituto 'Resti' Galang (Mission Society of the Philippines)July 2020 – June 2021
Parochial Administrator during pre-vaccine COVID-19 pandemic; ordained 1991; reassigned by Bishop Alberto Rojas to St. Margaret Mary as Pastor in June 2021.
- Fr. Theodore 'Ted' P. DrennanParochial Vicar July 2020; Parochial Administrator June 2021; Pastor from July 1, 2024 (6-year term)
Diocesan priest; appointed Very Rev. and Vicar Forane; current pastor.
- Fr. Celestine AfugwobiParochial Vicar from 2021; renewed through 2026
Assigned as Parochial Vicar in 2021 under Fr. Drennan; continues in role as of 2024.