At 320 W Garvey Avenue in Monterey Park, St. Stephen Martyr Catholic Church is known for Sunday worship in English, Spanish and Indonesian and for a history reaching back to a wooden church in 1918. Established as a parish in 1921, it combines Eucharistic life with formation from first grade through adulthood, care for sick and homebound parishioners, and an outreach center that helps local families with food, clothing and other necessities.
The parish calls its motto “Loving Christ, Loving Others.” It describes itself as a diverse faith community seeking to conform to Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, nourished by the Word, sacraments and tradition, and sent to give glory to God and be “a light unto the nations.”
Sunday Mass in English, Spanish and Indonesian
The weekend schedule gives each of the parish's three principal worship languages a distinct time:
- Saturday: 5:00 PM Mass in English
- Sunday: 7:00 AM Mass in English
- Sunday: 9:00 AM Mass in Spanish
- Sunday: 11:00 AM Mass in Indonesian
- Sunday: 1:00 PM Mass in English
The weekday rhythm continues with Mass at 8:30 AM from Monday through Saturday. A Perpetual Help Novena is held Wednesday at 6:00 PM in English, followed by a bilingual celebration at 6:00 PM on Friday.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered every Saturday from 3:00 to 4:30 PM in the church. No appointment is needed, and visitors can enter through the westside parking lot door during this period.
From a Wooden Church to the 1959 Sanctuary
Named for St. Stephen, a deacon and martyr, the parish began when Don Antonio Maria Lugo, owner of Rancho San Antonio, later called Ramona Acres, gave a small parcel for a wooden church in 1918. It became an official parish in 1921 under its first full-time pastor, Rev. John J. Cox.
Rev. Michael Conneally succeeded Fr. Cox in 1924 and established the parish's first four-room school in 1926. The Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary administered the school for 67 years as enrollment grew and more classrooms were added. A new convent was built in 1947 for the Sisters who staffed the school. The former convent now houses the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny, who volunteer in parish ministries, as well as the St. Stephen Community Outreach Center.
After the original wooden church, parishioners worshipped in two additional church buildings. The present church was erected under the leadership of Monsignor Charles W. O'Carroll and blessed by Cardinal James Francis McIntyre in 1959. Its most distinctive artistic feature is the almost life-size set of Stations of the Cross painted by John Henryk de Rosen.
A renovation in the late 1990s added saint's niches near the main entrance vestibule, a baptismal fountain and an Eucharistic chapel. These details give the Monterey Park church a setting in which prayer, sacramental celebration and visual arts remain closely connected.
How Monterey Park's Cultures Gather
The first parishioners were predominantly German, Irish, Italian and Hispanic settlers who came to work on the ranch. The Hispanic population increased during the 1940s and 1950s, followed by immigration from China and other Asian countries during the 1960s and 1970s. A Spanish Mass was added in 1970.
A Chinese Catholic pastoral ministry and a Sunday Mass in Mandarin began in 1981. That ministry was later transferred to St. Thomas Aquinas Church at the request of the Archdiocese. The Catholic Ming Yuan Institute, founded by Fr. Stanislaus Su, began offering Saturday classes at St. Stephen in 1989. Under Sr. Agatha Tseng, its classes continued on weekdays in the late afternoon as well.
The Indonesian Catholic Community became another significant part of parish life in 2001. Its history, worship and formation programs now form a distinct part of St. Stephen's identity, while the earlier Spanish and Chinese ministries remain part of the parish's story.
The Indonesian Catholic Community
The Indonesian Community of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles grew from Indonesian Catholic Families of America, a group founded around shared culture, support and a strong love of the Eucharist celebrated in Indonesian. Its first Indonesian Mass in the region was celebrated in 1984, and the community continued to grow across Southern California.
On September 17, 2001, the community became the Indonesian Community of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. St. Stephen became its official home, and Fr. Linus Tiala began serving as its first chaplain. The community's mission is to foster Catholic faith, strengthen cultural bonds and support members in their life in America.
Its Indonesian Mass is celebrated each Sunday at 11:00 AM. Members participate in joint liturgical celebrations and formation programs, and since 2006 have also served on parish councils and committees. This ongoing combination of worship, language, cultural identity and lay participation is one of the clearest examples of the parish motto, “Loving Christ, Loving Others.”
Word, Sacraments and Tradition
St. Stephen's teaching centers on God's revelation through Sacred Scripture and Tradition, with the Incarnation - God becoming human in Jesus Christ - described as the ultimate sign of God's love. The parish affirms the Holy Trinity, the Paschal Mystery of Jesus' crucifixion, death and resurrection, and the Church founded by Christ and carried forward through the Apostles.
The Catholic faith is expressed through seven sacraments:
- Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation
- Sacraments of Healing: Penance or Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick
- Sacraments of Vocation: Marriage and Holy Orders
Mass is the central act of Catholic worship. The Eucharist is at its center, with the Word proclaimed and interpreted before the congregation brings forward bread and wine, receives Communion, renews its commitment to Jesus and is sent forth to proclaim the Good News. St. Stephen teaches that the risen Jesus is truly and substantially present in the Eucharist and describes this change as transubstantiation.
Reconciliation is the sacrament in which sins committed after Baptism are forgiven. Its four movements are contrition, confession, absolution and a commitment to Christian life. The Anointing of the Sick offers strength, comfort and support to people facing illness, while its healing may be spiritual as well as physical. These beliefs are joined to a concern for human dignity, care for people who are poor, protection of the environment and just social and economic conditions.
Children, Teens and the Next Generation
The elementary religious education program welcomes children from first through eighth grade. Classes meet on Saturdays from 9:00 to 11:00 AM in the school classrooms, with the program year extending from early September through mid-May. The parish emphasizes that parents are the first and foremost educators of faith and that its classes supplement what children learn at home.
Children preparing for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist attend a three-year course. The same preparation applies to children in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Unbaptized children age six or older are welcomed and receive full instruction in Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist as part of their third year.
Catechists include high school and college students, parents and grandparents who have prepared for faith formation. Their mission states: “We lovingly commit ourselves to serve the children. We will strive to promote an awareness of God's love for them, that it may help them to love themselves and others.” No child is turned away because of financial difficulty.
Teen Confirmation is a two-year high school program. Year one is intended for students entering grades 9, 10 or 11, followed by the second year of preparation. The group meets twice a month on Saturdays from 9:00 to 11:30 AM. Catechesis, prayer, worship, retreats, service opportunities and community building are integrated with a justice perspective and sensitivity to the multicultural diversity of the Archdiocese. A young person who has not yet received Baptism or First Communion can include that preparation in the program.
A Faith Journey for Adults
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is a communal process of study, conversion, faith-sharing and preparation for full communion with the Catholic Church. Unbaptized adults are catechumens, while baptized Christians seeking full communion are candidates. Both are accompanied by sponsors and the wider parish community.
The process begins with the Period of Inquiry, followed by the Catechumenate. Catechumens study Scripture, doctrine, customs and traditions, take part in worship and share the stories of their conversion. The Rite of Election leads to the sacraments of initiation celebrated at the Easter Vigil. Catechumens receive Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation, while previously baptized candidates receive the sacraments appropriate to their journey.
After their formal reception into the Church, participants continue in mystagogy, a period of reflection that helps them deepen their understanding of the faith and their role in building the reign of God. The parish also extends a particular welcome to returning Catholics who wish to renew active participation in Eucharistic and sacramental life.
Altar Servers and Eucharistic Ministers
Altar serving is an ancient part of liturgical life at St. Stephen. Within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, both men and women, younger and older, may serve. Servers assist the priest and deacon at the Eucharist and other ceremonies while remaining active members of the assembly through singing, praying and shared silence. Ideally, servers are fully initiated Catholics, but a baptized youth who has received Eucharist may serve before Confirmation. The recommended minimum age for youth is roughly fifth grade.
Servers carry the cross and processional candles, hold the book, assist with incense, present the bread, wine and water, help the priest wash his hands and prepare the altar or sacred vessels when needed. Training covers service in the assembly, the theology and structure of the Eucharist, liturgical books and vessels, vestments, Church seasons, vocabulary, posture, procession and the proper roles during worship, weddings, funerals, Baptisms, Quinceañeras and Confirmation.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion must be baptized, Confirmed Catholics at least 15 years old and registered members of the parish. They are expected to participate faithfully in Sunday Eucharist, receive spiritual, theological and practical formation and serve in a way that supports orderly and reverent Communion. The ministers gather for prayer and planning once a month and take part in an annual parish program or retreat to renew their faith and commitment.
Prayer Groups in English and Spanish
St. Stephen's prayer groups offer several regular forms of communal prayer. The Rosary Group gathers after the 8:30 AM Mass each day to pray the Rosary, making it one of the most frequent rhythms of parish prayer.
The Nocturnal Adoration Group gathers on the first Friday of each month at 3:00 PM and again after the 6:00 PM Mass. It prays in English and Spanish.
Luz del Espiritu Santo, the Spanish Prayer Group, meets every Wednesday at 7:00 PM in Room 6. Its time combines Scripture study with fellowship in Spanish.
Ministry to the Sick and Homebound
Ministers to the Sick and Homebound carry the Word and Body of Christ to parishioners who cannot attend church because of illness or age. They visit homes, hospitals and convalescent homes, helping people remain connected to parish life through conversation, prayer, Gospel reading, petitions and Holy Communion.
Home visits generally occur weekly or every two weeks, depending on need. A St. Stephen priest celebrates Mass for people in convalescent homes monthly, and ministers respond to hospital requests on an emergency basis. When illness is severe, the priests can provide confession and the Anointing of the Sick.
A Mass for the Sick with the Anointing of the Sick is generally celebrated each quarter, usually on the second Saturday, followed by refreshments. The same ministers can lead a vigil or Rosary and assist at a funeral Mass, extending care through times of sickness and bereavement.
Mercy Beyond the Parish
The Community Outreach Center occupies the former convent at 122 S. Ramona Avenue. It assists local families with food, clothing and other necessities. Its work reflects the corporal works of mercy taught by the Church: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, caring for the sick, visiting the imprisoned and burying the dead.
Parish service also includes volunteering at food pantries, serving people who are poor, assisting the St. Vincent de Paul Society, visiting the homebound and participating in the annual parish bazaar. These ministries place material assistance alongside the prayer and sacramental life of the parish.
Safeguarding Children and Young People
St. Stephen participates in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Safeguard the Children program. A parish committee works to create a safe environment for children and young people in the parish, school, home and community. Its responsibilities include monitoring Archdiocesan policies, educating families and volunteers, evaluating church and school safety, reviewing programs and events, assisting with safe-environment audits and supporting child-abuse prevention activities.
The parish also requires background checks for adults participating in youth ministries. Safeguarding is understood as a responsibility of the entire community, involving leadership, parents, teachers, volunteers and the wider parish family rather than a concern limited to one group.
Weddings, Funerals and Memorials
Catholic marriage is understood as a sacramental union that gives spouses the grace to love one another as Christ loves the Church. The Christian home is called the “domestic church,” a place where faith is first handed to children. Because the church building is a place of prayer, weddings are approached with quiet and respect, and alcoholic beverages are not permitted in the church or parking lot.
Marriage preparation includes a meeting with the priest, an Engaged Encounter weekend or approved equivalent, preparation for the responsibilities of Catholic marriage, baptismal and First Communion and Confirmation records, a civil marriage license, and sworn testimony from two witnesses for each person. The parish works with couples preparing for the Rite of Matrimony and the responsibilities of married life.
For a death in the family, the selected mortuary contacts the parish office. A bereavement minister then helps the family coordinate the vigil and funeral liturgy. The vigil combines prayer and gathering time for stories, memories and sympathy. The funeral liturgy usually includes the Eucharist, with Scripture readings and liturgical music chosen by the family or other mourners.
The parish also provides Memorial Masses, Quinceañeras, anniversary blessings, Mass intentions, devotional services and prayer groups. These services accompany birthdays, marriages, anniversaries, illness and death as part of the sacramental and prayer life of St. Stephen.
The Church Year
The parish follows the universal Catholic liturgical year. Advent opens with four Sundays leading to Christmas. Christmas extends from Christmas Eve through the Epiphany and concludes with the Baptism of the Lord. Lent is a forty-day season of repentance and renewal, beginning with Ash Wednesday and continuing through Holy Thursday.
The Triduum centers on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, culminating in the Easter Vigil. The Easter season celebrates Christ's resurrection and concludes at Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit is sent upon the Apostles. Ordinary Time then explores Christ's mission through the Gospels, including Trinity Sunday, Corpus Christi and the Solemnity of Christ the King. Throughout these seasons, Mass places the saving death and resurrection of Jesus at the center of Catholic prayer and life.
Giving, Councils and Leadership
St. Stephen is led by Pastor Fr. Joseph Magdaong and Associate Pastor Fr. Ali Kanissius, who also serves as Indonesian Chaplain. Deacons Armando and Irene Estrada assist in parish ministry, and Irene coordinates the Eucharistic Ministers. Fr. Ali and the Indonesian community continue the long relationship between the Archdiocesan Indonesian community and St. Stephen.
Ministry leaders include Anna Hernandez, chair of the Safeguard the Children Committee; Martha Sanchez in elementary religious education; Eddie and Carmen Tolentino in Ministry to the Sick and Homebound; Denise in adult initiation and confirmation; and Maria Khoe as president of the Indonesian Community of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The Pastoral Council advises the pastor on pastoral work, while the Finance Council assists with the financial affairs of the parish and school.
Online giving makes one-time, recurring and future gifts possible through a secure account. Donors can schedule gifts, adjust contribution amounts and review upcoming and past gifts. Contributions are included on the annual tax statement unless the gift is anonymous. Further information is available through secure online giving.
Taken together, these ministries keep St. Stephen Martyr Catholic Church rooted in the Monterey Park community it has served since 1921: a Eucharistic parish of Word, sacraments and tradition, known for English, Spanish and Indonesian worship and committed to formation, family, care for the sick, mourning and material need.