Corpus Christi Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Bonita, California, whose identity is captured by the words “We are the Body of the Christ.” Rooted in the mission, ministry, and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, it brings together English and Spanish worship, a preschool, religious formation from childhood through adulthood, and ministries for youth, young adults, Spanish-speaking Catholics, musicians, and parish families.
From Bonita Golf Club to Corral Canyon Road
Corpus Christi Catholic Parish was founded on September 1, 1984. Reverend Stephen G. Dunn was its first pastor, and Dr. John Geis served as its first deacon. Without a permanent home, the parish held services at Bonita Golf Club on Sweetwater Road. Good Shepard Episcopal Church also rented space to the new Catholic parish from 1984 through 1988.
In 1986, Corpus Christi purchased a five-acre property in Bonita Long Canyon, on Corral Canyon Road and Country Vistas Lane, and began planning a permanent church. Reverend John G. Proctor Jr. became pastor that September. In 1989, worship moved to a former hardware store beside the Bonita Post Office in the Bonnie Brae Shopping Center, a building parishioners called “Holy Hardware.” The parish grew from fewer than 200 families at its beginning to 800 families by 1989. Ground was broken for the Corral Canyon church on September 10, 1989, and the first Mass in the new building was held on Christmas Eve, 1990. Deacon Jim Hitch began serving the parish in 1992.
On September 1, 2009, Corpus Christi marked its twenty-fifth anniversary and broke ground for a Parish Hall. Bishop Robert H. Brom dedicated the hall on June 25, 2011, during the Feast of Corpus Christi. The parish opened a preschool in the former CCD classroom building on September 13, 2011, with Leanna Zarzar Prelle as founding director.
A Parish Rooted in the Body of Christ
Corpus Christi aspires to be faithful to its name, the Body of Christ. It roots itself in the mission, ministry, and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, seeks to be a good steward of the resources entrusted to it, and embraces the work of teaching, sanctifying, and serving in the name of Christ in union with the Church Universal.
Baptism is described as the first sacrament of Christian initiation, a birth into new life in Christ that frees a person from original sin and incorporates them into the Church. The Eucharist is identified as the central sacrament, the memorial of Christ’s Passover and the reception of Christ’s Body and Blood. Reconciliation restores communion with God through contrition and the grace of God. Anointing of the Sick offers comfort and strength to a person who is dangerously ill from sickness, injury, or old age.
Mass in English and Spanish
Mass is celebrated throughout the week and on Sundays in both English and Spanish:
- Daily Mass: Monday through Saturday at 8:00 a.m.
- Saturday Vigil: 4:30 p.m.
- Sunday Masses: 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. in English, 11:00 a.m. in Spanish, 1:00 p.m. in English, and 6:00 p.m.
- Reconciliation: Saturday at 3:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall, or by appointment with a priest or deacon.
The parish broadcasts Mass through Boxcast, with recent services also available on its YouTube channel.
The parish office at 450 Corral Canyon Rd. is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a noon to 1:00 p.m. lunch closure and no weekend hours. The main telephone number is 619-482-3954.
Learning From Preschool Through First Communion
Corpus Christi Preschool
At 480 Corral Canyon Road, Corpus Christi Preschool is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with full-time and part-time schedules. Its integrated curriculum emphasizes literacy, math, science, social studies, art, music, language arts, and physical education while supporting social, emotional, and cognitive growth. Religion is woven into the day: preschoolers attend weekly Mass, say daily prayers, hear Bible stories, and join celebrations such as All Saints Day, Christmas, Ash Wednesday, St. Patrick’s Day, and Easter.
K-8 Religious Education
Children in K-8 religious education must be registered parishioners before enrolling. First Communion preparation always takes two years, and kindergarten is not included in that two-year track. Classes are assigned according to grade and preparation:
- Second-year First Communion students: E2 students in grades 3 through 8 meet Monday at 4:30 or 6:00 p.m.
- Middle school: Students in grades 6 through 8 meet Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.
- Kindergarten: Classes meet Tuesday or Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.
- First-year First Communion students: E1 students in grades 1 through 3 may attend any class time except Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.
- General religious education: Classes meet Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. or Wednesday at 4:30 or 6:00 p.m.
Confirmation and Adult Initiation
High school Confirmation classes meet every other Sunday from 2:15 to 4:00 p.m. Weekly Youth Nights meet Wednesdays from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. The youth program combines preparation for Confirmation with service opportunities, social events, retreats, conferences, and fellowship. It works closely with parents while treating teenagers as active members of the wider Body of Christ.
Adults meet for the Order of Catholic Initiation for Adults on Sundays from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall, immediately after the 9:00 a.m. Mass. The weekly formation welcomes people who have never been baptized, were baptized in another Christian tradition, were baptized Catholic but have not practiced the faith, or want First Communion, Confirmation, or a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith. Older children follow a two-year Rite of Christian Initiation of Children, while adult baptism follows a yearlong RCIA process culminating at the Easter Vigil.
Connect, Teen Faith, and Small Groups
Connect welcomes college-age adults from 18 through 39 to a Christ-centered community. The group meets every Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in the parish youth room for Bible studies, faithful discussions, prayer, reflection, fellowship, and social opportunities.
The High School Youth Ministry seeks to help teenagers cultivate a relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church through age-specific faith-building activities. The parish also has a Cursillo Group, Hands of Christ, a Prayer Quilt and Crafters Ministry, and a Holy Rosary Society, each offering a distinct way for people to participate in parish life.
Hispanic Ministries, Music, and Worship
Hispanic Catholic life at Corpus Christi includes the Apostolado de la Cruz, Apostolado Hora Santa Corpus Christi, Apostolado de Maria en la Iglesia Domestica, and Ministerio de Alabanza y Espiritualidad. The Apostolado de la Cruz gathers on Wednesdays beginning at 10:00 a.m. with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Sagrada Familia Chapel, then continues from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Parish Center. The Spanish-language praise and spirituality ministry includes Eucharistic ministers, ministers of the Word, altar servers, and ministers of hospitality.
Music Ministries is directed by Rosolino “Lino” Gambino and sees singing as prayer expressed through the gift of song. The Spirituality and Worship Ministry also includes altar servers, Eucharistic ministers, ministers of hospitality, and ministers of the Word, allowing parishioners to serve directly in the parish’s worship.
Sacraments and Pastoral Care
- Baptism: Families are asked to be registered at least one month before scheduling. Parents and primary godparents must attend in-person seminars. Baptisms take place on the first and second Sundays in English and the third Sunday in Spanish. The child is to wear all white, and candles for primary godparents are provided. Private baptisms are not offered.
- First Communion: Preparation always takes two years in the parish. For people who are sick or unable to attend Mass, a Eucharistic Minister can bring Communion.
- Anointing of the Sick: A priest can be sent to someone seriously ill from sickness, injury, or old age. After-hours emergencies are handled through the parish emergency line, monitored by the priest on duty.
- Matrimony: Couples allow nine months before their desired wedding date. A wedding date is scheduled only after meeting with a priest or deacon.
- Quinceañera: The parish asks families to begin at least six months before the desired date. Parish preparation, regular Mass attendance, and participation in or completion of a Confirmation program are required.
- Funerals: Catholic funeral rites traditionally include a Vigil Service, the Mass of Christian Burial, and a Graveside Service, with adaptations for family circumstances and pastoral needs.
Service, Stewardship, and Connection
The Corpus Christi Knights of Columbus conducts food drives and donates food to a food bank for people in need. Members also support mothers who choose life for their babies. The organization’s four principles are charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism, and its parish chapter is led by Grand Knight Hugh McGuinness.
Contributions are available through Pushpay, and the parish also participates in the Annual Catholic Appeal. Corpus Christi maintains Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X accounts for its wider community. Across worship, formation, service, and community, the parish continues its mission to build the Body of Christ and to teach, sanctify, and serve in the name of Christ.