About St. Veronica · South San Francisco, California
The Church of St. Veronica is a vibrant Catholic parish and school community at 434 Alida Way in South San Francisco, California, just off El Camino Real and Ponderosa Road. Founded in 1951 and now serving roughly 2,000 families, it is one of the most active faith communities in the Metropolitan Archdiocese of San Francisco. The parish is known for the strength of its ministries — Community Life, Care and Justice outreach, and Adult Enrichment — and for an elementary/middle school that has been educating local children since 1958. Weekend liturgies are offered in both English and Spanish, and the 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass is livestreamed.
- Established
- 1951
- Patron
- St. Veronica (the woman who wiped the face of Jesus on the way to Calvary)
- Rector
- Rev. Patrick J. Driscoll
- Diocese
- Metropolitan Archdiocese of San Francisco
Why belong here
St. Veronica is a 2,000-family parish that combines the heritage of a 1951 Catholic community with one of the most active ministry networks in the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Whether you are drawn by the bilingual Sunday liturgy (English and a 1:30 p.m. Spanish Mass), the parish school that has formed South San Francisco children since 1958, the Special Needs Faith Formation program that began here in 2000, or the parish's outreach work through St. Vincent de Paul and Second Harvest Food Bank, there are clear ways to belong, serve, and grow in faith here.
Mass times at St. Veronica
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (regular schedule)
- By appointment — call the parish office at (650) 588-1455
Adoration times
- Monday – Friday following the 8:30 a.m. Mass until 12 noon (moved to side chapel for funerals or church work)
- Church open for private prayer 6:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. daily
About St. Veronica Parish
St. Veronica is a vibrant Catholic community in South San Francisco, California, known locally for the strength of its ministries and outreach programs, and home to both a parish and an elementary/middle school. From its origins as a small parish church in 1951, it has grown into one of the most active faith communities in the Archdiocese of San Francisco, with approximately 2,000 families. The parish mission: 'St. Veronica Church is a Catholic community committed to sharing our faith, rooted in the life and love of Jesus and the Gospel. We welcome, unite, and inspire all to enrich their faith through the sacraments and compassionate service to others.'
- Mission: Sharing faith, welcoming, uniting, inspiring through sacraments and service.
- Three ministry pillars: Community Life, Care and Justice, and Adult Enrichment.
- Approximately 2,000 registered families.
- Sister school: St. Veronica Catholic Elementary & Middle School (K–8).
Our History
The parish was founded in 1951 by Father Paul Coleman, who arrived to find raw land and a $62,500 mortgage. The first parish Mass was celebrated November 4, 1951, at Sportsman's Lodge in what is now the Parkhaven neighborhood. Ground was broken for the permanent church in June 1952; Sunday services began in the unfinished building and the structure was dedicated June 7, 1953, by Archbishop John J. Mitty. The 15 'circles' Father Coleman created to connect neighborhood families remain a hallmark of parish life. A Jubilee Mass on November 4, 2001, marked 50 years since that first parish Mass.
- October 1, 1951 – Father Paul Coleman arrives as founding pastor.
- October 7, 1951 – First parish meeting (six days after Coleman's arrival).
- November 4, 1951 – First parish Mass at Sportsman's Lodge (~200 people).
- December 10, 1951 – First Men's Club meeting.
- 1952 – Parish Women's Club begins; CCD classes start in three homes.
- December 14, 1952 – First Baptism: Lola Mangini.
- May 3, 1953 – First Communions.
- June 7, 1953 – Church dedicated by Archbishop John J. Mitty.
- May 3, 1954 – First Confirmations.
- November 4, 2001 – Jubilee Mass marking the 50th anniversary.
Saint Veronica Catholic School
The parish school opened in 1958 with the Congregation of the Holy Infant as its first teachers. By the 1963-64 school year it had reached capacity in grades 1 through 8. The sisters were recalled to Ireland in June 1979 and an all-lay staff assumed administration. The Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet resided on campus until 1989; since 1990, members of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary have lived in the convent. A kindergarten was added in September 1980. Today the school is a K–8 elementary/middle school led by Principal Mr. John Payne, sharing the 434 Alida Way campus with the parish.
- Opened 1958 by the Congregation of the Holy Infant.
- Capacity reached in grades 1–8 by the 1963–64 school year.
- All-lay staff since June 1979.
- Kindergarten added September 1980.
- Current principal: Mr. John Payne.
- School phone: (650) 589-3909.
- Website: saintveronicassf.org
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Veronica is Christ-centered and family-oriented, with the goal of forming lifelong disciples while supporting parents as the first and primary catechists. Classes follow the Sadlier 'We Believe' curriculum and the Archdiocese of San Francisco's catechetical framework. Sacramental preparation is a two-year process for both First Communion (beginning no earlier than 1st grade) and Confirmation (beginning no earlier than 8th grade; the sacrament is conferred no earlier than 9th grade).
- Grades 1–6: Wednesday afternoons 3:30–4:45 p.m. OR Saturday mornings 9:00–10:15 a.m.
- Grades 7–8: Wednesday evenings 7:00–8:15 p.m.
- Confirmation Year I: no earlier than Grade 8.
- Curriculum: We Believe (Sadlier).
- Coordinator: Karen Guglielmoni (ext. 103).
- No child is turned away due to financial hardship.
Special Needs Faith Formation
St. Veronica is blessed to host a Special Needs Faith Formation program that serves the youth of the Peninsula and is sponsored by the Archdiocese of San Francisco. The program began in 2000, when its first class of students with special needs received First Eucharist — a milestone in the parish's catechetical history.
- Peninsula-wide reach, archdiocesan-sponsored.
- Dedicated volunteer catechists.
- First class of students with special needs received First Eucharist in 2000.
Middle School Youth Ministry
Building on the foundation laid in early childhood, the Middle School Youth Ministry (Grades 6–8) provides weekly meetings that nurture fellowship, community and faith. Service opportunities and retreats help form stronger relationships with one another and, ultimately, with God.
- Weekly meetings for Grades 6–8.
- Service opportunities and retreats.
- Aims to prepare youth spiritually for Confirmation and lifelong discipleship.
Adult Faith Formation & RCIA
Adult Faith Formation supports adults who were baptized Catholic and seek to deepen their faith, as well as adults preparing for Confirmation or full initiation through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA).
- RCIA — call the Parish Office at (650) 588-1455.
- Adult Confirmation preparation.
- Six-week courses offered periodically.
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for and celebrates all seven sacraments, with bilingual baptism options and significant advance notice requested for marriage.
- Baptism: English Saturday noon; Spanish Sunday noon.
- First Communion & First Reconciliation: 2-year preparation beginning in 1st grade.
- Confirmation: 2-year preparation beginning no earlier than 8th grade.
- Marriage: Catholic party requested to give six months advance notice.
- Anointing of the Sick: offered during Lent and on request.
- Funeral: Vigil Service, Mass, and Rite of Committal at the cemetery arranged with parish clergy.
Parish Outreach & Social Justice
Care and Justice ministries are one of the three pillars of parish life. The parish St. Vincent de Paul Conference maintains a food/toiletry pantry that assists more than 25 client households every month, and the parish partners with Second Harvest Food Bank and other social-justice initiatives. During Lent, baskets in the church vestibule collect non-perishable food and toiletry donations.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul parish conference.
- Second Harvest Food Bank partnership.
- Social Justice Ministries.
- Lent food/toiletry pantry drives in the vestibule.
- Referral line for St. Vincent de Paul: 650-871-6844.
Parish Life & Welcome
St. Veronica's Community Life pillar connects parishioners socially and spiritually through a long-running Men's Club and Women's Club (both rooted in the parish's first year) and a Welcome Ministry that greets newcomers.
- Men's Club — founded December 10, 1951.
- Women's Club — founded 1952.
- Welcome Ministry for new parishioners.
- Parish registration forms available in the vestibule or the parish office.
Meet the Staff
Parish and school staff serve the 2,000-family community from the parish office at 434 Alida Way.
- Pastor: Father Patrick J. Driscoll (ext. 106)
- Parochial Vicar: Father Caleb Ogbe, VC
- Deacon: Roger Beaudry
- Administrative Assistant: Mary Martin (ext. 101)
- Bookkeeper: Silvia Reyes (ext. 102)
- Faith Formation Coordinator: Karen Guglielmoni (ext. 103)
- Evangelization Coordinator: Sandra Kearney
- Music Director: Issa Stemler (707-840-9514)
- Maintenance: Juan Gutierrez
- School Principal: John Payne
Contact, Visit & Pastoral Visits
Parish office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Anyone who would like a visit from a parish priest — for themselves or for a loved one — is encouraged to call the parish office.
- Address: 434 Alida Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080-4302.
- Phone: (650) 588-1455; Fax: (650) 588-1481.
- Email: [email protected].
- Web: stveronicassf.com.
- Office hours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- To request a priest visit, call the parish office.
About St. Veronica (Patron)
The parish is named for Saint Veronica, who according to tradition wiped the face of Jesus on His way to Calvary. Legend holds that as Christ walked to Calvary with His face dripping with blood, Veronica, a bystander moved with compassion, offered Him a cloth — likely her veil — which He accepted and used to wipe His face. The cloth is believed to exist today and is considered one of the most treasured relics of the Church.
- Veronica offered her veil to Jesus on the way to Calvary.
- The veil is venerated as one of the Church's treasured relics.
- Parish ministry of compassionate service echoes Veronica's act.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Paul ColemanOctober 1, 1951 – April 4, 1977
Founding pastor; arrived with a $62,500 mortgage; established the 15 parish 'circles' to connect neighborhood families.
- Father William QuinnApril 4, 1977 – June 30, 1990
- Father Wilton SmithJuly 1, 1990 – June 30, 2002
- Father Edward BohnertJuly 1, 2002 – January 31, 2008
- Father Charles PuthotaJuly 1, 2008 – June 30, 2020
- Father Patrick DriscollJuly 1, 2020 – present
Current pastor.