A Parish on Magnolia Street, Six Decades Strong
Saints Simon & Jude Catholic Church sits on Magnolia Street in Huntington Beach, a few blocks inland from Pacific Coast Highway and the long sweep of Orange County coastline. The parish was founded in 1966, and six decades later its members are marking sixty years of continuous life together with the same blend of Catholic tradition and neighborhood familiarity that has defined the community since the first families walked through the doors. The mission statement on the parish describes the community this way: "Together, we are forming souls in holiness, joyfully proclaiming the Gospel, and serving all people in love." The vision is simple, too: "Through Divine grace, we strive to grow in Christ's love and share it freely and generously."
What visitors tend to notice first is the size of the operation. The parish runs a Catholic school on the same campus, a full K-8 program that shares faculty and administration with the church. It hosts a school of formation for children, middle schoolers, high schoolers, and adults. It fields a contemporary ensemble, an adult choir, and a children's choir for weekend liturgies. It sends mission teams to Kenya and Mexico. It organizes a sixty-year-old fall festival, a Lenten fish fry, and a Grief, Loss, and Healing Group. And every Sunday it celebrates four Masses in English, with three of them broadcast over YouTube.
The parish belongs to the Diocese of Orange, led by Bishop Kevin W. Vann, and serves a corner of Huntington Beach that includes young families, retirees, and a steady flow of Catholic school families who move between the church and the school buildings throughout the week.
Mass Schedule and the Liturgical Life
The rhythm of the parish begins early. Daily Mass is celebrated Monday through Saturday at 8:15 AM in the church, followed by the praying of the Rosary at 9:00 AM. On Saturdays the 8:15 AM Mass is followed immediately by the Rite of Reconciliation, so anyone wishing to go to confession before the vigil can do so without a separate appointment. Confession can also be scheduled by calling the Parish Office.
Weekend Masses open with the Saturday Vigil at 4:00 PM, then continue on Sunday morning at 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:15 AM, and 5:00 PM. The Saturday Vigil, the 9:30 AM, and the 11:15 AM Sunday Masses are livestreamed on the parish's YouTube channel for those who cannot be present in person, including the homebound who receive Holy Communion brought to them by Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.
Three musical groups serve the weekend liturgies. The Contemporary Ensemble leads the 9:30 AM Mass, rehearsing on Sunday mornings at 8:30 AM. The Adult Choir, which blends traditional hymns with contemporary choral works and is open to anyone willing to learn, leads the 11:15 AM Mass and rehearses on Thursday evenings at 7:00 PM. A Children's Choir, led by Mr. Al Palencia, sings once a month at the 9:30 AM Family Mass and rehearses on Thursday afternoons at 3:30 PM. The 5:00 PM Sunday Mass is the contemporary liturgy coordinated by Mark Mekailian, the Contemporary Music Director.
Holy Days and the great seasons of the year carry their own expanded schedules. Easter brings a Saturday Vigil at 7:30 PM and three Easter Sunday Masses. Christmas brings four Masses on Christmas Eve and two on Christmas Day. Confession is offered year-round, and the Anointing of the Sick is available to anyone facing surgery, chronic illness, or the frailties of age by calling the parish office.
Sacraments at the Heart of Parish Life
The seven sacraments structure nearly everything the parish does, and each one has a clear path for preparation.
Baptism is offered to infants and children through age six, to youth from first grade through age seventeen, and to adults. Parents and godparents are required to attend a Baptism Preparation Class, offered several times a year on Wednesday evenings. Godparents must be fully initiated Catholics (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist received), at least sixteen years old, and, if married, married in the Catholic Church. A baptized non-Catholic Christian may serve as a Christian Witness alongside a Catholic godparent. The Coordinator of OCIA and Baptisms, Denise Quackenbush, walks families through the registration process, which begins with a brief consultation and includes a completed registration form, the child's birth certificate, and the parish registration form if the family is not yet enrolled.
First Reconciliation and First Holy Eucharist are prepared over two years of Faith Formation, beginning as early as first grade, through a combination of parent-child workshops and in-home sessions. The parish describes these sacraments as pivotal moments in a child's faith journey, designed to help both children and parents fall in love with the sacraments.
Confirmation is offered as a two-year preparation program for high school students in ninth through eleventh grades, with bi-monthly classes, retreats, and service opportunities. Adults who have already been baptized and received First Communion may also prepare for Confirmation through the OCIA process. Reanna Parrino, the Director of Confirmation, Youth & Young Adult Ministry, oversees both tracks.
Marriage preparation is handled by the priests. Couples are asked to schedule their wedding date at least six months in advance. Through the process, the priests walk couples through the theology of Catholic marriage, the practical tools for building a lifelong relationship, and the requirements for a valid Catholic wedding. Lead Office Administrator Shelly Sanders handles the scheduling.
Anointing of the Sick can be administered at home, in a hospital, or in a care facility, and is not reserved for those at the end of life. The parish encourages anyone preparing for surgery, coping with chronic illness, or simply in need of God's healing presence to call and request a visit from a priest.
Funeral Rites are coordinated through the parish office, beginning with a meeting with a priest who walks the family through the Catholic funeral liturgy and helps plan the Mass, the committal, and any accompanying rites.
Becoming Catholic is the OCIA process, formally the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, which Denise Quackenbush also coordinates. The parish describes it as an ongoing process that anyone can begin at any time. It moves through five stages: Inquiry, where questions are asked and the Catholic faith is introduced; the Catechumenate, with deeper formation; Purification and Enlightenment, which typically coincides with Lent; the Sacraments of Initiation, usually celebrated at the Easter Vigil; and Mystagogy, the period of integration after Easter. Those who have already been baptized and received First Communion but seek full communion through Confirmation have their own path.
Kids Ministry: From Little Saints to Sacramental Prep
Rhea Moreno, the Director of Faith Formation and Family Ministry, oversees a layered program for children from birth through fifth grade. The youngest, ages zero to two, belong to Little Saints, a parent-and-me playgroup that meets on Sundays after Mass and is meant to introduce the youngest disciples to the parish while giving parents a place to build community.
Every Sunday at the 9:30 AM Mass, children in first through fifth grade are invited forward before the Scripture readings and sent to the Franciscan Room for a special Gospel lesson, called CLOW (Children's Liturgy of the Word). They return to their families after the Creed, just in time for the Offertory and Liturgy of the Eucharist. Tot Liturgy runs at the same time for children ages two to five, with age-appropriate faith formation in a separate space.
For children in preschool through fifth grade who are not in the parish school, Elementary Faith Formation meets weekly on Wednesdays from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM or on Sundays from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM, October through May. Catechists lead sessions organized by grade level, with family resources to continue the work at home. In their second year of formation, baptized children begin preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Eucharist.
The whole children's program revolves around the monthly Family Mass, a 9:30 AM Sunday liturgy designed with families in mind, featuring youth participation throughout, uplifting music, and a homily aimed at both children and adults. After Mass, families stay for breakfast and activities. The Family Mass rotates through seasonal themes: Grandparents Day in September, the parish patrons Saints Simon and Jude in October, All Saints Day with children dressed as their favorite saints in November, Advent Wreath Making in late November, and Epiphany Sunday in early January.
Every summer, the parish hosts Vacation Bible School for a single week, with mornings full of games, Bible stories, crafts, science experiments, snacks, and fellowship. Open to children from preschool (ages three and potty trained) through incoming fifth graders, the program runs on adult volunteers and on middle and high school students who serve as small-group leaders.
Middle School and High School Ministry
Middle schoolers have their own dedicated ministry that meets about twice a month on Monday evenings from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The program is built around the idea that middle school is the moment young people begin to form their own identity, and the parish wants that identity rooted in Christ. Rhea Moreno oversees the program, which is supplemented by Middle School Youth Nights held roughly every third Friday of the month from 7:00 to 8:30 PM, open to anyone who wants to attend regardless of whether they are in Faith Formation or Catholic.
High school ministry, branded SSJ Youth Ministry, gathers around three rhythms. The first is a weekly Bible Study on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM in the Youth Room, where students reflect on Scripture together in a welcoming space. The second is a monthly social night, with the location rotating between the church, beach bonfires, bowling alleys, and movie theaters. The third is the two-year Confirmation preparation program, which incorporates retreats, service opportunities, and special events. Juniors and seniors who have already been confirmed are invited into Peer Ministry, a leadership team that meets every four to six weeks on Monday evenings to plan events for the younger students and to grow in faith together.
For young adults, Scarlett Rose Sheldon directs a dedicated ministry that works to create a welcoming space for Catholics in their twenties and thirties, with its own calendar of gatherings and faith formation.
Adult Faith Formation and Retreats
The Adult Faith Formation program at Saints Simon & Jude reaches practicing Catholics and newcomers alike. The backbone is a rotating set of Bible studies that draw men and women together to explore Scripture through the lens of the liturgical season, particular topics, or selected books. Studies are announced through the parish bulletin and social media channels.
Two evenings a month the adult ministry moves off campus. Tacos & Theology is for men; Tapas & Theology is for women. Both meet at 4 Son's Brewery on Gothard Street in Huntington Beach from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM, with a guest speaker, casual conversation, and small-group discussion in a relaxed setting. Tapas & Theology in October features Joan Patten, the Delegate for Consecrated Life for the Diocese of Orange, speaking on the theme "Be the Light!"
Catholic Book Studies is a parish-wide tradition. Books selected by the clergy are distributed after Christmas, read independently through the weeks that follow, and discussed together during Lent. There is a suggested donation of twenty dollars to cover materials, and discussion leaders are always being recruited. Anyone interested can contact Fr. Philip Smith.
Retreats are another pillar. The parish runs an annual parish retreat weekend, with the most recent one held at the Mary & Joseph Retreat Center in Rancho Palos Verdes and led by Fr. Mike Walker, pastor of St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Beaverton, Oregon, and a longtime friend of Fr. Reynold. The retreat, titled Communitas, ran from a Friday through a Sunday and included lodging and meals. Retreat fees are charged on a sliding scale between double and single occupancy.
Fellowship and the Life of the Parish
Fellowship is treated as a serious ministry in its own right. Coffee and Donuts after Sunday Masses is coordinated by Louise Nakamine and is meant to do more than offer snacks; it is meant to provide a space where new and longtime parishioners build relationships and feel at home.
The Men's Club meets on the second Thursday of every month at 7:30 PM, with an engaging speaker and a meal prepared by the members themselves. Women Creating Community gathers women of the parish and their guests once a month during the school year for speakers, discussions, and fellowship, and hosts an annual Christmas Brunch with mimosas, raffles, and a festive morning for women and girls of all ages. The Prime Time Fellowship Group is for parishioners aged sixty and above, with social gatherings, spiritual enrichment, and service opportunities coordinated by Denise Quackenbush.
The Holy Smokes Meat Ministry is described on the parish's own pages as "truly unique to Saints Simon & Jude." A dedicated crew of grillmasters provides BBQ for major parish events including the Fall Festival and Summer Kickoff. New members are recruited the old-fashioned way: by walking up to the smoker and introducing themselves.
During Lent, the Men's Club Lenten Fish Fry takes over Colman Hall on Friday evenings from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM (excluding Good Friday), serving a robust menu of fish fry, fish tacos, cheese quesadillas, and clam chowder, with all proceeds supporting the parish and school.
Prayer Ministries and the Spiritual Life
Prayer ministries at Saints Simon & Jude take several forms. Eucharistic Adoration is offered on the last Wednesday of every month from 9:15 AM to 8:45 PM, an extended period of silence before the Blessed Sacrament. During Adoration, parishioners pray the Psalms, the Liturgy of the Hours, or the Jesus Prayer; meditate on a Bible verse; speak to Jesus and listen; or simply sit in silence.
Centering Prayer is a meditative practice that meets in three different settings: on the second and fourth Monday of each month from 7:00 to 8:00 PM in the Franciscan Rooms; on Tuesdays from 4:00 to 5:00 PM via Zoom; and on Wednesdays from 4:00 to 5:00 PM in the Franciscan Rooms. The practice is rooted in ancient Christian tradition and is meant to foster interior silence and attentiveness to God's presence.
Parking Lot Prayer meets every Wednesday from 3:30 to 4:30 PM. The ministry brings prayer out of the church building and into the parish's everyday footprint, creating a sacred space where anyone driving in or walking by can stop for prayer in a welcoming, accessible setting.
The Rosary is prayed Monday through Saturday at 9:00 AM in the church, immediately after the 8:15 AM Mass.
Outreach and Service: Huntington Beach and Beyond
Drew Perez, the Director of Outreach and Evangelization, leads a ministry that operates on two scales: the immediate Huntington Beach area and the wider world.
Every week during Advent and Lent, the parish partners with a local charity to support its mission. The list of regular partners is long: Waymakers Huntington Beach Youth Shelter for homeless, runaway, abused, and at-risk youth ages eleven to seventeen; Mary's Path, a residential therapeutic program for pregnant and parenting youth from the foster care system; Save Our Youth; OC Children and Family Services; Thomas House for unhoused and at-risk families; Sea Cliff Assisted Living; Share Ourselves, which provides medical, dental, behavioral, and social services; and the Huntington Beach Navigation Center.
On the international side, the parish sends two mission trips a year in partnership with Praying Pelican Missions. The most recent included a return to Kenya in January, with adults aged 18 and older joining the team for ten days of mercy ministry, children's ministry, and farm work alongside the Little Sisters of St. Francis, and a sixth annual trip to Ensenada, Mexico, in June for similar relational ministry work with the local church. Both trips include the option to help fundraise through a parish GoFundMe page.
The Quilt Guild meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 5:30 PM to design, sew, and donate quilts that comfort the bereaved and raise funds for other ministries. No quilting experience is required.
The Grief, Loss, and Healing Group offers a safe, confidential space for anyone navigating the death of a loved one, divorce, relocation, job loss, or any major life transition. The seven-session program is rooted in Catholic spirituality and offers coping strategies, encouragement, and the steady presence of a faith community.
Community Mission Partners
The parish partners with several outside organizations that extend its reach into the wider community. 40 Days for Life is a prayer and advocacy campaign for the dignity of every human life, with the parish hosting a prayer team for the Costa Mesa vigil. Family to Family allows parishioners to sponsor families in need, refugees, veterans, and struggling Holocaust survivors. The Knights of Columbus council at Saints Simon & Jude serves the parish through charitable works, fundraising, and faith-based initiatives. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides education and support groups for individuals and families affected by mental illness. RISE Against Hunger partners with the parish on meal-packing events. SHIP (Self-Help Interfaith Program) provides temporary shelter, meals, and job assistance to people experiencing homelessness. The St. Vincent de Paul Society runs a food pantry and provides financial assistance, with a Help Line at (714) 964-5818 for those who need assistance or want to volunteer.
Music and Media Ministry
Andre Rossignol, the Director of Music and Media Ministries, oversees a program that combines the parish's strong tradition of choral music with a developing media operation. The Adult Choir, the Contemporary Ensemble, and the Children's Choir serve the weekend liturgies, while a media team supports the upcoming expansion of livestream and in-church production capabilities. Musicians of all ages and abilities are welcomed into the ministry, with the parish noting that no experience is required for the choir but that a willingness to learn is essential. The Contemporary Ensemble rehearses on Sunday mornings at 8:30 AM; the Adult Choir rehearses on Thursday evenings at 7:00 PM; and the Children's Choir rehearses on Thursday afternoons at 3:30 PM.
The Parish School
Saints Simon & Jude Catholic School sits on the same campus as the church, sharing faculty, administration, and the rhythm of the week. The school offers an in-person, all-day, every-day program, and operates as a full K-8 Catholic school. Parishioners and school families move between the church and the school buildings for Mass, sacraments, and school events, and the Family Mass is explicitly designed to draw the two communities together.
The Fall Festival and Annual Traditions
The Fall Festival is the parish's signature community event. Held the first weekend of October each year, the festival brings rides, food, games, live music, and raffles to the parish grounds for three days of celebration. In 2026 the parish is marking its sixtieth annual Fall Festival, with three nights of live entertainment and a Grand Prize Drawing for a $10,000 prize, a four-carat diamond necklace, and an SSJ Quilt. Volunteers serve at game booths, food booths, and the general festival operation; the Holy Smokes Meat Ministry grills for the duration; and Café SSJ sells baked goods donated by parishioners. The festival is also the parish's largest fundraiser of the year.
Other recurring traditions include the Feast of San Gennaro in September, an Italian-themed meal with real Italian pasta and meatballs served in honor of the saint; the annual parish retreat weekend; the Lenten Fish Fry; Catholic Book Studies during Lent; and the Women Creating Community Christmas Brunch in early December.
Clergy and Staff
The parish is led by Reverend Reynold Furrell, Pastor, who writes a weekly pastoral letter to the parish. Reverend Philip Smith serves as Parochial Vicar, assisting with Masses, Baptisms, Confessions, weddings, funerals, and parish administration. Deacon Matt Calabrese serves as a permanent deacon. Pastoral staff includes Andrew Watson (Parish and School Business Manager), Andre Rossignol (Director of Music and Media Ministries), Mark Mekailian (Contemporary Music Director), Lyssa Rollolazo (Director of Communications and Hospitality), Rhea Moreno (Director of Faith Formation and Family Ministry), Reanna Parrino (Director of Confirmation, Youth and Young Adult Ministry), Scarlett Rose Sheldon (Director of Young Adult Ministry), Drew Perez (Director of Outreach and Evangelization), and Denise Quackenbush (Coordinator of OCIA and Baptisms).
Becoming a Parishioner
Newcomers are warmly welcomed. Registration can be completed online through a simple form, or in person at the Parish Office during business hours. Registration helps the parish keep sacramental records accurate and provides documentation for tax purposes regarding contributions. The parish encourages everyone, whether a longtime Catholic or just beginning to explore the faith, to attend Mass, join a ministry, engage in Bible study, and participate in fellowship events as a way to deepen their faith and feel at home.
Beliefs and Values
The parish describes itself as rooted in the seven sacraments and nourished by the Body and Blood of Christ Jesus, worshiping God the Father, following Jesus Christ His Son, and living by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The stated values are: a cherishing of Catholic tradition and daily living out of the faith; a commitment to service and sharing God's love through acts of kindness and compassion; the celebration of the Eucharist as central to community life; lifelong learning and spiritual growth through Faith Formation; the upholding of the Gospel as good news to be shared; the recognition of the seven sacraments as the means by which God's grace works in human lives; belief in the unity of the Holy Trinity, one God in three persons; and, above all, the unconditional love of God that unites and strengthens the parish community.