A Parish Rooted in Serra Mesa
St. Columba Catholic Church stands on Glencolum Drive in the Serra Mesa neighborhood of San Diego, on land that was part of a Spanish land grant tied to Mission San Diego de Alcala. The parish has served Catholic families in this part of the city for more than half a century and is recognized for its bilingual rhythm of daily Mass in English and Korean, a parish school next door, and a steady outreach to neighbors without housing through its Feeding God's Children ministry.
The parish's mission is to spread and live the word of God by following the footsteps of Jesus Christ and helping everyone to know the way to salvation through meaningful worship, catechism, charitable actions, effective evangelization, and Stewardship as a way of life. Its vision is to be a community of loving, faithful and welcoming people dedicated to following the teachings of Jesus Christ, united and growing in faith and loving service.
Mass in English and Korean, Every Day of the Week
The Eucharist is celebrated every day at St. Columba. On Monday through Thursday, Mass is offered at 7:00 a.m. Friday Mass is at 8:15 a.m. Saturday morning Mass is at 8:00 a.m. The Sunday schedule runs through 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 5:30 p.m. in English, with a 12:00 p.m. Mass in Korean. Saturday evening includes two vigil Masses: 5:30 p.m. in English and 7:30 p.m. in Korean. Holy Day schedules are announced as they approach.
Confessions are heard on Saturday afternoons from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the church, and alternate times can be arranged by calling the rectory. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held on the first Friday of each month from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. On Wednesdays at 5:15 p.m., the parish gathers for the Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, with a Mass and fellowship on the last Wednesday of every month. The parish maintains an active Flocknote list, a YouTube channel, and a weekly bulletin that is available online.
Walking with the Pastor: A Sanctuary of Hope
Father Roldan Nuñez is the pastor of St. Columba. Ordained on April 7, 1992, he served for twenty-five years in his home diocese before being promoted to Pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Julian on July 1, 2024. He was appointed to St. Columba on July 1, 2026, and brings years of intensive ministerial experience to the parish.
His primary objective is to establish the church as a "Sanctuary of Hope," a vision that emphasizes a renewal of deep prayer, sacramental devotion, and active local charity. Rather than implementing immediate change, his leadership approach prioritizes an essential listening and hearing phase that honors the existing spiritual traditions of the community while gently guiding parishioners toward a shared evangelical mission. Fr. Rolando Gabutera continues to serve at the parish and is referenced on the parish council, finance committee, and liturgy and worship committee. He can be reached for vocation discernment through the rectory at 858-277-3863.
From St. Edward's to a Celtic Cross in the Chapel
The parish was born in January 1955, when Father Edward Johnson was appointed the first pastor of what was then called St. Edward's Church. Father Johnson celebrated the first parish Masses in his apartment on Afton Road and later in Gibbs Hanger at Montgomery Field. He was tragically killed in an automobile accident in June 1955, and Father Alfred Geimer was named interim pastor. Father Patrick O'Neill took over in September 1955, broke ground for the new church in May 1957, and welcomed the first Mass in the hall in December 1957.
The first Mass in the completed church was offered in October 1958, and Bishop Richard H. Ackermann formally dedicated the building on December 12, 1958. Ground was broken for the parish school and convent in February 1963, and Bishop Francis J. Furey blessed the completed school and convent on May 17, 1964. In 1966, following the guidelines of Vatican II, the sanctuary was remodeled. Msgr. O'Neill retired in January 1985 and was succeeded by Msgr. John Dickey, then Msgr. Patrick Mullarkey in January 1990. A second renovation in 1991 added a daily Mass chapel and the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, where a beautiful Celtic cross was installed in the early 1990s.
The Celtic cross on the wall behind the altar in the chapel is based on a grave slab at the Clonmacnoise Monastery in Offaly County, Ireland, a site founded in the sixth century on the bank of the River Shannon that became an important center of trade, religion, and craftsmanship. The cross reminds the parish of the power of Christianity to bring harmony and peace to the conflicts and anxieties of daily life. Father Mario Elias was appointed pastor in July 2008, followed by Father Mel Monreal in July 2014 and Father Ed McNulty in October 2016.
St. Columba, the Patron of the Parish
The church is named for Saint Columba, an Irish abbot and missionary born on December 7, 521, who died on June 9, 597. Known in Irish as Colm Cille, meaning "church dove," Columba is credited with spreading Christianity in present-day Scotland. He founded the important abbey on Iona, which became a dominant religious and political institution in the region for centuries, and is one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. After founding several monasteries in Ireland, he and his twelve companions crossed to Dunaverty near Southend around 563 and settled in Iona, where they established a new abbey as a base for spreading Christianity among the Pictish kingdoms of the north.
Seven Sacraments, a Parish School, and a Church That Welcomes
St. Columba celebrates all seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Infant baptism is coordinated by Deborah Whaling, and adult baptism is prepared through OCIA, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. First Holy Communion is a two-year Saturday program, with Reconciliation required before First Communion. Confirmation is prepared in a two-year youth program coordinated by Cathy Embalsado, or through OCIA for adults. Matrimony must be scheduled at least six months in advance, and additional time may be needed if either party requires a dispensation from the Diocese of San Diego. The Anointing of the Sick is arranged by calling the rectory.
Parishioners are warmly invited to register, and the church welcomes those who are returning to the Catholic faith after years away. The parish also offers a free senior luncheon and a weekly fellowship gathering.
Free childcare is available every Sunday during the 9:30 a.m. Mass in the preschool, for infants and children up to four years of age. For information, call Trish at 858-279-0161.
St. Columba Catholic School, located on the same campus, is a community of faith dedicated to academic excellence and serves students in the Serra Mesa area. The parish and school are closely linked, with the Men's Club having supported the construction and maintenance of parish and school buildings since 1955.
Ministers and Parish Leadership
The Liturgy and Worship Committee works with the pastor to plan, coordinate, and evaluate parish liturgies and ensure they are reverent, meaningful, and foster active participation. Tim Baxter chairs the committee and leads the altar servers. Mark Villas serves as Liturgy and Pastoral Coordinator and oversees music. Curtis Carlson leads the Eucharistic ministers, and Bel Cavada leads the lectors. Altar servers are open to boys and girls who are baptized, have received First Eucharist, and are in at least fourth grade, with participation through twelfth grade.
The Parish Council serves as an advisory body to the pastor, helping to guide the spiritual mission, pastoral planning, and overall life of the parish community through prayer and discernment. Craig Rowe serves as president and chairman. The Finance Committee advises the pastor on financial matters, reviews income and expenses, helps build the annual budget, and reviews employee compensation.
Feeding God's Children and a Network of Small Communities
Feeding God's Children is one of the parish's most visible outreaches. Over three years, the ministry's generous donations have provided more than 5,000 meals for unhoused families and individuals living in their vehicles, making a significant impact on the surrounding community. Sharon Simpson coordinates the effort.
The Men's Club, founded in 1955 alongside the parish, grew from supporting the construction and maintenance of parish and school buildings to providing food for those in need, hosting pancake breakfasts and barbecues, and supporting parish and school events. It meets monthly to plan upcoming activities and can be reached through Curtis Carlson.
St. Columba's Men's Faith Group welcomes men of all ages to share how God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit have influenced their lives within their families, the Church, and the community. The group meets on the first Saturday of each month from 8:45 to 10:45 a.m. in the ministry center. Contact Mike Pisor for more information.
The St. Columba Women's Group meets on the third Thursday of the month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the ministry center. What began in 2005 as a monthly ecumenical women's prayer group evolved into a mothers' group in 2017 and took its current name in 2025 to welcome all women in the community who desire support or Christian fellowship. Monthly meetings include Bible reading, group sharing, prayer, and fellowship, with proceeds supporting the Missionaries of Mary Queen of Heaven, a women's religious institute that rescues girls and women from human trafficking. The group also offers an annual weekend retreat and occasional outings. Contact Karmyn Garcia for more information.
Our Lady's Rosary Makers create rosaries for missions in need and promote devotion to the Blessed Mother. All materials and instruction are provided. The Prayer Warriors ministry keeps the parish in prayer for the sick, with names kept on the list for thirty days at a time. Faith Explained meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the ministry center, with a potluck at 6:00 p.m. The Safety Committee maintains an Illness and Injury Prevention Program for employees, volunteers, and visitors.
Becoming Catholic and Growing in Faith
For those inquiring about the Catholic faith, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults welcomes adults who have never been baptized as well as baptized adults seeking full membership through the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation. Classes begin each September and are coordinated by Jason Van Foeken. The parish also provides faith formation for youth preparing for Confirmation, in a two-year program that begins in September.
St. Columba participates in the Annual Catholic Appeal of the Diocese of San Diego, and parishioners are encouraged to give online or in person. The parish also responds to wider appeals for relief, including emergency support through Catholic Relief Services following natural disasters.
St. Columba Catholic Church, its school, and its many ministries are bound together by a simple goal set out in its mission and vision: to be a sanctuary of hope where the Eucharist is celebrated every day, the sacraments are available to all, and the people of Serra Mesa grow in faith, hope, and love.