St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Vista, California carries on a Catholic tradition in North County San Diego that began in 1852, when Franciscan priests from Mission San Luis Rey first celebrated bimonthly Masses in a chapel at Rancho Guajome. Today the parish at 525 W. Vista Way offers daily Mass in two languages, a parish school that has welcomed students since 1961, and a long list of ministries rooted in the parish's mission to teach, sanctify, and serve.
A Parish With Roots in 1852
The first Catholic Masses in this part of North San Diego County were celebrated twice a month by Franciscan friars in the chapel inside the lavish Rancho Guajome home built by the C. J. Couts family, beginning in 1852. For decades the faithful in the Vista area worshipped in private homes and borrowed buildings. In the late 1920s and early 1930s, Mission Fathers said Mass in homes around town, and a parishioner named Mrs. Skinner found a "church" building in a storeroom in the alley behind McDougall's Pharmacy, where about ten people gathered.
In 1938 the property on Vista Way was purchased for $900 plus back taxes of $200, and an old county schoolhouse, now Founder's Hall, was moved onto the property and dedicated by Bishop Francis Charles Buddy of the Diocese of San Diego. The parish was officially named St. Francis of Assisi Church. A new church building seating 285 was begun in 1946, along with a 55-foot bell tower that still stands today; Bishop Buddy dedicated and consecrated it on November 29, 1947. The rectory followed in 1951, and in 1953 Bob Hope was invited to attend the parish festival but arrived late because he "couldn't find the place." The original Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel, built by the Hispano Club and dedicated on March 9, 1958, was later taken down to make way for St. Clare Hall in 1984 and 1985; the chapel itself was rebuilt on a new site next to the parish library. In 1962, a ship's bell from a deactivated Navy destroyer was installed in the empty belfry through a Catholic chaplain in San Diego.
The current church building, dedicated on May 6, 1973 by Bishop Leo T. Maher, was designed to represent the different cultural communities of St. Francis. In 1990 the large glassed baptistry and cry room and the hospitality kiosk were added.
Daily Mass in English and Spanish
St. Francis of Assisi is a parish where worship happens in two languages every day of the week. English Mass is celebrated Monday through Saturday at 8:00 am in the church, and the Saturday Vigil in English is at 4:00 pm. Sunday brings three English Masses at 7:00 am, 9:00 am, and 5:00 pm.
Spanish Mass is offered Monday through Friday at 7:00 pm. The Saturday Vigil in Spanish is at 6:00 pm, and on Sunday the Spanish Masses are celebrated at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm in the outdoor sanctuary, with a third Sunday Spanish Mass at 7:00 pm in the church. Masses are livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube for those who cannot be present in person.
The parish proclaims its mission in three verbs: teach, sanctify, serve. The call to teach rests on Mark 13:10: "The gospel must first be preached to all the nations." The sanctification pillar rests on the words of institution from Luke 22:19-20: "This is my Body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me." And the call to serve flows from John 13:15: "I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do."
A Pastoral Team of Three Priests and Nine Deacons
St. Francis is pastored by Rev. Ruben Arceo as pastor of the community. Two associate pastors from the Third Order Regular of Saint Francis, Rev. Juan Diego Lopez Perez and Rev. Juan Pablo Barragan Mendoza, share the work of shepherding the parish. The pastoral team is supported by an unusually large group of nine deacons serving as pastoral assistants: Dn. Ron Arnold, Dn. Loi Hoang, Dn. Pedro Enciso, Dn. Wayne Heffner, Dn. Jose L. Maldonado, Dn. Victor Garcia, Dn. Juan Villaseñor, and Dn. Daniel Sanchez. Deacon Jose L. Maldonado and his wife Magy lead Marriage Preparation. Religious education is directed by Elvia Martinez as Interim Director of Religious Education, music by Music Director Roberto Vallin, youth ministry by Adriana Lita, and the parish school by Principal Elizabeth Joseph. Sister Madeline Fitzgerald coordinates adult sacraments, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, and accompanies those discerning a call to the priesthood or religious life.
A Parish School and Religious Education for All Ages
St. Francis of Assisi School has been part of the parish since 1961, when it opened with six Sisters of the Order of Poor Clares, now Sisters of St. Clare, who came from Ireland to staff grades one through six. Kindergarten was added in 1962, and seventh and eighth grades in 1963; total enrollment that year was 298 students. A convent was built on the property for the sisters. By 1980 the sisters had purchased their own home, and the old convent building was converted into parish and religious education offices and a preschool. Modular units were added over time for additional classrooms, a computer lab, a school library, and offices. The school remains a thriving part of parish life today under Principal Elizabeth Joseph.
Beyond the school, the parish runs a religious education program for children preparing for First Communion and Confirmation, and a youth ministry led by Adriana Lita. SPRED, Special Religious Development, extends religious education to parishioners with intellectual disabilities, welcoming them into the full sacramental life of the Church.
Adoration, Confession, and Prayer Through the Week
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is at the center of weekday prayer life at St. Francis. The Blessed Sacrament is exposed Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm, with the hour of reposition subject to change due to funerals. On Sundays the community gathers for adoration from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm. On the first Friday of the month, adoration stretches from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm. A Holy Hour in Spanish follows the 7:00 pm Mass on the first Friday of the month.
Confessions are heard in the parish office Monday through Friday from 1:00 to 5:00 pm by appointment, and on Saturday mornings from 9:30 to 11:00 am on a walk-in basis. The line for Saturday confessions closes at 11:00 am, and if no one is in line, confessions close for the day. The parish offers guidance on how to pray before confession, what to say during it, and how to give thanks afterwards.
Queen of Peace devotions gather the community around a rosary and the Chaplet of Mercy every Monday evening at 6:00 pm in the church, asking Mary's intercession for peace in hearts, families, and the world.
The Seven Sacraments
The parish prepares its members for the full sacramental life of the Catholic Church. Infant Baptism is offered for children from birth to age six. Parents must be registered parishioners, attend classes, and a donation of $95 per child is requested. English baptisms are held on the fourth Saturday of the month at 9:00 am, and Spanish baptisms on the third Saturday at 9:00 am. Children over the age of reason, about seven and older, follow a separate preparation, and adults enter through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, still often called by its older name RCIA. A sponsor must be at least sixteen, fully initiated in the Catholic Church, a practicing Catholic in good standing, and, if married, in a marriage recognized by the Church.
First Communion and Confirmation preparation is coordinated by Elvia Martinez, Interim Director of Religious Education. Engaged couples are encouraged to call the parish office early, since at least one partner must be a registered, active member of the parish. Anointing of the Sick is available by appointment. Holy Orders is welcomed through conversations with the parish priests or Sister Madeline and links to the Diocese of San Diego Vocations Office.
From the Altar to the Jail: A Wide Range of Ministries
The parish organizes its life around three branches of ministry. Liturgical ministries serve at every Mass and include Extraordinary Ministers of Communion, who also bring the Eucharist to the homebound, hospitals, and convalescent homes; sacristans who prepare everything needed for the celebration; lectors who proclaim the Word of God; altar servers; the music ministry under Roberto Vallin; and a hospitality ministry whose members arrive thirty minutes before Mass and welcome each person who walks through the door.
Spiritual and formation ministries support the ongoing growth of parishioners. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults welcomes those inquiring into the Catholic faith or preparing to receive Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. The Women's Ministry gathers women of the parish for faith and fellowship. Couples Date Night invites married and engaged couples to share a meal, their joys and challenges, and prayer together on Saturday evenings from 6:00 to 8:30 pm. A Men's Ministry, a Franciscan Family Ministry, a Catholic Christian Family Movement USA chapter, a Legion of Mary, the Apostolate of Mary, Visitadores por Cristo, the Divine Mercy and Prayer group, Ignatian Spirituality gatherings, the Guadalupana Association, a Prayer Group, Small Communities, a Word and Life Supper group, and Marriage Called to Sanctity round out the formation list.
Volunteer and outreach ministries include the Knights of Columbus, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, an LGBTQ Support Group affiliated with St. Thomas More, a Creation Care initiative, a Streaming team for online Masses, the Festival Organization Committee, and a Social Justice Ministry. The Jail Ministry visits those incarcerated, a Pro-Life Ministry witnesses to the dignity of the unborn, and a Bereavement Ministry accompanies families who have lost a loved one. A Sick and Homebound Ministry brings the Eucharist and prayer to those who cannot easily take part in parish life.
Members of the parish who come from communities in Oaxaca, Mexico celebrate their home patrons through annual festivities: Saint Sebastian of Tecomaxtlahuaca, Saint James of Oaxaca, Saint Michael the Archangel of Tlacotepec, and Saint Rose of Lima of Caxtlahuaca. Funeral Masses follow the standard Catholic rites, including an optional Vigil the evening before, the Funeral Mass with the celebration of the Eucharist, and a Christian burial or committal service led by a priest or deacon. Cremation is allowed, provided the cremated remains are kept intact and buried or interred in a cemetery or columbarium as soon as possible after the Funeral Mass. The parish also celebrates Quinceañeras as a Communion Service of Thanksgiving with the blessing of religious articles, usually scheduled on Saturdays at noon.
Joining the Parish
Newcomers are warmly invited to register as parishioners. Registration supports sacramental preparation, helps the parish plan events and projects for faith growth, and provides monthly donation envelopes. Forms are available online through the parish's secure registration page and at the parish office during business hours, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with the office closed for lunch from noon to 1:00 pm. The parish office is located at 525 W. Vista Way in Vista, California. The main phone line is (760) 945-8000, and the email is stfrancismain@stfrancis-vista.org.
Online giving is available through ParishSoft, and donations can also be dropped in the boxes at the entrances to the church and the parish office. The parish takes part in the Annual Catholic Appeal sponsored by the Diocese of San Diego under the theme "In Mission, We Are One." Parishioners can also sign up for CatholicCent, a program that rounds up credit card transactions to the next dollar and donates the change to St. Francis of Assisi Church and School.
Bulletins and parish announcements are posted regularly, and a free myParish app for iOS and Android keeps daily readings, confession and prayer reminders, parish news, and a way to submit prayer requests close at hand. The parish office encourages anyone considering a visit with these words: "When you dress appropriately for Mass, it tells God that He is worth the effort and He deserves our best."
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church is a community rooted in more than 170 years of Catholic life in North County San Diego and alive today in two languages, a parish school, a deep sacramental life, and dozens of ministries built on the conviction that the gospel must be taught, sanctified in the Eucharist, and lived out in service to one another.