On Mission Avenue in Oceanside, California, the bells of three adjoining worship spaces mark the rhythm of the week at Mission San Luis Rey Parish. The Parish Church, St. Anthony Chapel, and the Old Mission Church - the latter standing next door at 4050 Mission Avenue - frame a single Catholic community shaped by the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi and served by Franciscan friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Inside and around the historic campus, an intercultural congregation gathers in English and Spanish, joined by Filipino, Samoan, and other communities that bring their own music, prayers, and devotions to a shared Franciscan home.
A parish in the Franciscan tradition
Mission San Luis Rey Parish is part of the Diocese of San Diego and operates under the guidance and spirituality of the Franciscan friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, part of what is formally known as the Order of Friars Minor (OFM), founded by St. Francis of Assisi. The parish's own words describe a Catholic community "drawn from many cultures" and rooted in a tradition of "joy, gratitude and care for the poor and marginalized." Parishioners are invited into a faith that "believes in the transforming power of God's love and goodness" and "proclaims the gospel with arms open wide in hospitality, generosity, peace and friendship."
The parish's stated mission, in the spirit of St. Francis, is to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ as a community of many cultures, strengthened by Word and Sacrament, welcoming all into God's inclusive love, serving the poor, caring for creation, and building a just and compassionate world. Its vision points toward becoming "a Eucharistic community united in faith, love, and service - where all generations and cultures are welcomed, formed, and sent forth as missionary disciples rooted in the real presence of Christ." Simplicity, joy, reverence for creation, openness to every culture and generation, justice, and care for the common home are listed among its core values.
Mass across three worship spaces
The regular Mass schedule is built around the three connected buildings on Mission Avenue. Daily Mass in English is celebrated Monday through Saturday at 8:00 a.m. in St. Anthony Chapel, with an additional noon Mass in English Monday through Friday in the historic Old Mission Church.
Saturday offers the Sunday Vigil: English at 4:00 p.m. in the Parish Church and Spanish at 6:00 p.m. in St. Anthony Chapel. Sunday Masses include English celebrations at 7:00 a.m. in the Old Mission Church, 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. in the Parish Church, and 5:00 p.m. in the Parish Church. Spanish Masses are offered at 9:00 a.m. in the Old Mission Church, noon in the Parish Church, and 7:00 p.m. in the Old Mission Church.
Live-streamed Masses for the homebound are made available through the parish's online Mass page, with recordings kept on the site in English and Spanish.
Eucharistic adoration
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held in St. Anthony Chapel on Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and through the night on First Fridays from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. A Spanish hour of adoration is offered on the First Thursday of each month from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., also in St. Anthony Chapel.
Sacraments for every stage of life
Mission San Luis Rey walks with parishioners through the seven Catholic sacraments with steady, year-round formation.
- Baptism. Preparation classes are required for parents and godparents and are offered in English and Spanish. Expectant parents are encouraged to contact the parish even before the child is born. Families must be registered members of a Catholic parish, and new parishioners wait four months from registration before scheduling. Godparents must be practicing Catholics in good standing, with a male and a female when two are chosen. Bilingual celebrations are available.
- First Communion and Confirmation. Children prepare through the parish's Faith Formation program; teens prepare through Confirmation ministry. A Parent Handbook is published each year in English and Spanish.
- OCIA and OCIC. The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) and the Order of Christian Initiation for Children (OCIC) accompany adults and older children who are preparing for full initiation into the Catholic Church.
- Reconciliation. The sacrament of Reconciliation is offered in both English and Spanish.
- Marriage. Couples prepare for a Christ-centered marriage rooted in faith and love.
- Anointing of the Sick. Available for those experiencing illness or seeking spiritual renewal and healing.
- Funerals. Bereavement Ministers help families plan reverent liturgies and accompany them through the funeral rites of the Church.
Faith formation for children and teens
The Faith Formation office, coordinated by Lupita Lozano, supports families with religious education from kindergarten through eighth grade, sacramental preparation, and ongoing faith growth. Catechists are blessed at the start of each catechetical year. A separate Confirmation program, coordinated by Martha Garcia alongside Youth and Young Adult Ministry, prepares high school students for the sacrament of Confirmation. Family handbooks in English and Spanish outline expectations, calendars, and sacramental requirements for the year.
Youth and young adult ministry
High school youth meet on Wednesday evenings in the Parish Youth Room, and the Young Adult community (ages 18 to 39) gathers on Thursday evenings in the same space. Calendars for both groups are kept current through the parish's social channels on Instagram (@mslrpyouth and @mslrpyam). The ministry describes its mission as building "a community of young Catholics passionate about their faith," nurturing fellowship through social, spiritual, educational, and service activities. Inspired by the Franciscan spirit of joy, community, and missionary discipleship, the group encourages young people to live their faith courageously, "becoming lights for the world as Jesus calls them to be."
The Loretto House Food Pantry
The Loretto House Food Pantry, part of the parish's Outreach Ministry, provides groceries and diapers to families in need every week. Open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the pantry is staffed by volunteers who distribute food and infant supplies "with dignity and love." Donations of non-perishable food items, diapers, and hygiene products are always welcome, and a dedicated Social Concerns donations page lists current needs. Grisel Barrios coordinates the pantry and can be reached at the parish office for volunteer opportunities and donation drop-offs.
Ministries woven into the community
The parish is sustained by a long list of ministries, each with a coordinator and a clear invitation to get involved.
- Altar Servers. Young parishioners assist at the altar during Mass and on Holy Days, with monthly training provided.
- Art and Environment. A team designs banners, florals, and seasonal décor for the Old Mission, the Serra Center, and the Parish Chapel.
- Audio/Visual. Volunteers handle sound, projection, and cameras for liturgies and events; no prior experience is required.
- Baptism Ministry. Trained ministers accompany parents and godparents as they prepare for a child's baptism.
- Bereavement Ministry. Active for more than twenty years, this team works alongside parish staff and a family's chosen mortuary to plan funeral liturgies. Separate English and Spanish teams are available.
- Caring for Caregivers. A space of encouragement, prayer, Scripture, and shared experience for those caring for loved ones.
- Creation Care. Inspired by Pope Francis's Laudato Si', this ministry meets on the third Thursday of each month to promote stewardship of the environment and respond to "the cry of the Earth and the cry of the Poor."
- Cultural Diversity. Builds multicultural friendships and bridges of understanding across the parish's many cultural communities.
- Eucharistic Ministers. Lay ministers distribute Holy Communion at Mass, with English and Spanish coordinators.
- Filipino Ministry. Honors Filipino faith and culture through prayer, celebration, service, and cultural sharing.
- Grief Support. A safe and prayerful space for those who are mourning, rooted in the Catholic faith.
- Grupo de Oración. A Spanish-language prayer group that gathers on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. for the Rosary, Eucharistic adoration, Mass, and intercessory prayer.
- Knights of Columbus. A council of Catholic men committed to charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism, supporting the parish and the wider community.
- Liturgical and Folkloric Dance Ministry. A Spanish-language ministry of song and dance that joins cultural expression to liturgical celebration.
- Samoan Ministry. A newer community gathering Samoan parishioners in prayer, fellowship, and service.
- Visitadores por Cristo. Missionary visitors who go door to door to share the Good News, pray with families, and invite them into parish life. The group meets Wednesdays and Fridays at 7:15 p.m. and Saturdays at 4:00 p.m. in front of the Old Mission.
- Women of St. Clare Bible Study. Meets on Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in Room 119 for reflection and sharing.
Pastoral and Finance Councils
The Parish Pastoral Council accompanies the pastor with prayerful reflection, communal wisdom, and collaborative support. Members serve three-year terms, meet at least four times a year, and may form committees to support parish initiatives. The council provides input on Faith Formation and Religious Education, Liturgy and Worship, Social Action and Outreach, Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Intercultural Inclusion and Diversity, Family Life and Spirituality, Vocations and Ministry, Ecumenical and Interreligious Cooperation, and Community-Building Events.
The Finance Council, working in accordance with Canon Law, assists the pastor and parish administrator in the faithful stewardship of the parish's financial resources, properties, and facilities. Both councils publish their guidelines and plans, with Spanish-language versions available for the Pastoral Council's plan.
Leadership
The parish is led by three Franciscan religious and a permanent deacon.
- Fr. Edgardo (Lalo) Jara, OFM, Pastor. Born in San Carlos, Costa Rica, Fr. Lalo entered the Order of Friars Minor in Mexico in 1997, completed his novitiate in Burlington, Wisconsin, and earned a Master of Divinity from the Franciscan School of Theology in California. He was ordained in February 2017 and holds a Doctor of Ministry from Fordham University, with research focused on Hispanic Small Christian Communities. He has served in parishes in Maryland, Virginia, and the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., and has been a national Eucharistic preacher for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
- Fr. Macario "More" Torres, OFM, Associate Pastor and Director of Faith Formation. Originally from Romita, Guanajuato, Fr. More professed his solemn vows in 2013 in St. Louis and was ordained a priest in September 2014. He has served in Illinois, Missouri, and San Antonio, Texas, and brings a background in Bible and theology to the parish.
- Bro. Adolfo R. Mercado, OFM. A friar from Sacramento, California, Bro. Adolfo is continuing his pastoral formation at the parish before ordination to the transitional diaconate and priesthood. He assists in Religious Education and at Casa Loretto.
- Deacon Lyle Blackmon. Permanent deacon serving the parish community.
Supporting the clergy and friars are parish staff who coordinate formation (Lupita Lozano and Martha Garcia), liturgy and music (Music Director Kerey Quaid and Associate Music Director Francisco Osio), outreach (Grisel Barrios), and pastoral care (Pastoral Associate Shirley González). Veronica McMaster serves as Business Manager, Alberto Beltran as Facilities Manager, Karen Willson as Director of IT and Communications, and a team of administrative and pastoral associate assistants keeps daily operations moving.
Safe Environment
Working with the Diocese of San Diego, the parish maintains a Safe Environment program that screens and background-checks all clergy, staff, volunteers, and catechists who work with minors. Training and clearance through the CMG Connect Program are required before anyone can serve in Catholic schools, religious education, or youth ministry. A dedicated Safe Environment contact number, 760-547-0715, is available for questions, with reporting channels linked through the diocese.
Visiting the parish
The parish office, located at 4070 Mission Avenue, is open Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:55 a.m. and again from 12:35 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., and on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The main phone line is (760) 757-3250, with email routed through office@sanluisreyparish.org. Newcomers and returning Catholics are warmly welcomed; parish registration is available online and is the first step toward scheduling a baptism, receiving offering envelopes, or joining a ministry. Modest, comfortable clothing is appropriate for Mass, and visitors are invited to come as they are and find their place in a community where "we hope that you feel at home and find your personal 'mission' at the Mission in our Catholic Community."
Giving and communication
Online giving supports the Sunday offering, special collections, religious education tuition, wedding and sacramental fees, social outreach, the building fund, and youth and young adult programs. Contributions can be scheduled or made one time through the parish's online giving portal, and donations are also accepted in person at Mass or at the parish office. Parishioners can sign up for Flocknote to receive parish news, upcoming events, spiritual reflections, and urgent updates by email or text. Bulletins, parish news, and Pastor Reflections from Fr. Lalo are published regularly, and the online Mass page keeps a growing library of recent English and Spanish homilies and readings.
A community rooted in place and prayer
From the historic walls of the Old Mission Church to the daily crowds that fill St. Anthony Chapel and the Parish Church, Mission San Luis Rey Parish is a working Franciscan community in the heart of Oceanside. English and Spanish worship side by side, Filipino, Samoan, and Latino cultural communities find a home, food and diapers leave the Loretto House each week for families in need, and a steady stream of young people gathers on Wednesday and Thursday evenings in the Youth Room. Grounded in Word and Sacrament and guided by the spirit of St. Francis, the parish moves forward as a community that finds God in hospitality, simplicity, and shared service.