St. Stephen Catholic Church sits along Cole Grade Road in Valley Center, a rural community in northern San Diego County. It is the Catholic parish for the area, and over five decades it has grown from a religious education program to a full parish that ministers in two languages, runs a Saturday food pantry, and operates a community thrift store.
From a 1970 CCD Class to a Dedicated Church
The parish community began in the fall of 1970 as a religious education program called CCD (Christian Catholic Doctrine). In April 1974 the first Mass in Valley Center was celebrated in the community hall, with fifty families in attendance. The community suspended its services in June 1977 but resumed them on November 11, 1978, with celebrants from Resurrection Church in Escondido. After years of saving toward the purchase of property in Valley Center, and worshipping in a converted garage and outdoors under a shade cloth in the orange grove, the parish was formally established on February 10, 1981, under founding pastor Fr. Roger Lechner.
The parish broke ground on a social hall and worship space in December 1985 and celebrated the dedication of its first building on February 10, 1989, with Bishop Maher presiding. Pastors since the founding have included Fr. Donald Coleman, Fr. Eugene Fisher, Fr. Jay Brady, Fr. Michael Booth, and Fr. William Kernan. In late 2003, when wildfires swept the surrounding hills, St. Stephen became a center for feeding and clothing victims. The first Mass in a much larger new worship space was held on Thanksgiving Day 2005, and Bishop Robert H. Brom returned on the parish's silver anniversary, February 10, 2006, to dedicate St. Stephen as the first church dedicated for the Diocese of San Diego in the third Christian millennium.
The parish is now led by pastor Fr. Luke Jauregui and a team of three deacons: John Tobin, Jim Rizzotto, and Miguel Madera. The parish's stated mission is to be a faithful Catholic community that brings people to Christ, forms disciples, and sends them to transform the world.
Sunday Mass in English and Spanish
The weekend schedule opens with a Vigil Mass on Saturday at 4:00 PM. On Sunday, Mass is offered three times: 7:30 AM and 9:00 AM in English, and 11:00 AM in Spanish. Both Sunday services are livestreamed on the parish's YouTube channel, where recordings of past Masses are also available. Visitors and newcomers are warmly welcomed and may register as parishioners through the parish family registration form or simply by attending any weekend Mass.
A Full Week of Masses, Adoration, and Confession
Mass is celebrated every day of the week at St. Stephen. The schedule is Monday at 12:15 PM, Tuesday at 8:45 AM, Wednesday at 6:45 AM, Thursday at 8:45 AM (a Communion Service rather than a full Mass), and Friday at 5:30 PM. Confessions are heard on Friday evenings from 6:00 to 7:00 PM, immediately after the daily Mass.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is offered twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 to 8:00 PM. Together with the daily Masses and weekend schedule, these hours give parishioners a steady rhythm of prayer throughout the week.
The Seven Sacraments
St. Stephen prepares Catholics for each of the seven sacraments: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, and Holy Orders. Baptisms are performed by the parish priest or deacon, with infants typically dressed in a white baptismal gown and supported by at least one godparent. First Communion is prepared through the parish's faith formation program. Confirmation, available to baptized high school students and to adults who have already received First Communion, is a two-year readiness program. Year 1 classes meet Tuesday evenings and Year 2 meets Wednesdays, both from 6:00 to 7:30 PM, with sessions offered in English and Spanish.
Couples preparing for marriage meet with the parish's Marriage Prep team. Brian and Sarah Bachman lead the English sessions and Jose Garcia leads the Spanish. They discuss Church teaching and practical topics for married life. The Anointing of the Sick may be requested at any time by calling the parish office; for emergencies after hours, the parish phone line connects directly with a priest. Those considering vocations to the priesthood or religious life are encouraged to speak with Fr. Jauregui or to contact the Diocese of San Diego's vocations office.
Faith Formation for Children, K through 8
Faith Formation for children in kindergarten through eighth grade is offered every year. Classes meet on Sundays: English from 10:15 to 11:45 AM and Spanish from 12:15 to 1:45 PM. Parents are expected to attend their own formation sessions in the parish hall during the same hours. In five-Sunday months, the fifth Sunday is reserved for special parish events and there are no classes. A separate Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program is also offered for younger children.
A Children's Liturgy of the Word has traditionally been offered during the 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM Sunday Masses, providing children with an age-appropriate presentation of the same Scripture readings the rest of the congregation hears, followed by an interactive discussion. The program is currently paused.
High School Youth Ministry in The Den
Three youth programs meet in a gathering space on the parish campus known as The Den. The High School Youth Group meets Monday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30 PM for small group discussion and prayer. The Middle School Youth Group meets Tuesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30 PM, with talks, games, and community time. Confirmation Year 1 students meet Tuesdays and Year 2 students meet Wednesdays, both from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. Youth Minister Sean Billings coordinates the program. Each track is designed to help teenagers grow in their understanding of the faith and become intentional disciples.
Young Adults in Their 20s
The Young Adult Ministry gathers adults ages 18 to 29 every Thursday evening from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in The Den. Aaron Zamora and Jordan Tompkins lead the ministry. Evenings open with prayer and a short welcome, followed by Scripture reading and discussion. The program welcomes both lifelong Catholics and those new to the faith, with a stated aim of helping young adults build a Christ-centered community of friendship and purpose.
Discovering Christ and Adult Faith Formation
For adults seeking a deeper relationship with God, the parish offers Discovering Christ, a seven-week evangelization series plus a retreat day. Each session includes a shared meal, prayer time, a video teaching, and small group discussion. Discussion topics include the meaning of life, the identity of Jesus, the Resurrection, the Holy Spirit, and the role of the Church. The sessions include a Children's Ministry so the whole family can attend.
Adult Faith Formation meets weekly on Saturdays from 9:00 to 11:00 AM in Briscoe 2, with discussions on Scripture, the lives of the Saints, and various Catholic spiritual formation programs. Pat Schwerdtfeger directs this ministry.
Becoming Catholic through RCIA
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the parish process for adults preparing to enter the Catholic Church, whether unbaptized or already baptized in another Christian tradition. Carrie Tyler and Jay Anderson lead the English process; Miguel and Juana Madera lead the Spanish. The process moves through inquiry, the catechumenate, the Rite of Election on the First Sunday of Lent, the Lenten period of Purification and Enlightenment, initiation at the Easter Vigil, and Mystagogy during Eastertide. Catechumens typically receive Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist together at the Vigil.
St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Stephen operates the parish food pantry, distributing groceries each Saturday morning from 8:30 to 9:00 AM. On the fourth Saturday of the month, the pantry is open additionally from 12:30 to 2:00 PM. About thirty-six volunteers rotate through staffing and pickup duties, helping more than ninety families per week and providing over eighteen thousand meals throughout the year. The Society also organizes the parish's annual Christmas Giving Tree toy drive and hosts a community Walk for the Poor at Bates Nut Farm to raise funds.
The Thrift Center on Campus
The parish Thrift Center operates on the St. Stephen campus under the Women's Guild, selling donated clothing, shoes, linens, quilts, books, art, small appliances, kitchenware, jewelry, toys, and small furniture in a boutique-style setting. The shop is staffed primarily by volunteers, and proceeds support church projects and community programs. Donations of clean, gently used items are welcomed.
Bereavement Ministry and the Bereavement Angels
St. Stephen's Bereavement Ministry accompanies families through the first year of grief with a six-part bilingual program. Volunteers known as Bereavement Angels receive monthly training from licensed professionals with sixty years of combined bereavement counseling experience. They make regular phone calls to the bereaved, write entries in the parish's Grief's Companion Journal, and send Mass cards. Grief support groups meet either at the parish or through community partnerships.
Bringing Communion to the Homebound
Each Sunday morning, two Eucharistic Ministers take Communion from Mass to parishioners who are ill, elderly, or otherwise unable to attend in person. Camile and Diane Martineau coordinate English visits, and Rabago and Maria Efrain coordinate Spanish visits. Each visit begins with a phone call so that the family can prepare.
Music Ministry
The Music Ministry, under Dave Wickham, enriches liturgy and devotions through a blend of traditional Catholic repertoire and contemporary Christian music. The parish makes reference tracks available for chanting the Mass parts (Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, and others), along with a beginner's guide to Gregorian chant. Singers and instrumentalists of all skill levels are welcome to join.
Women's Guild and Ministerio de Mujeres
The Women's Guild is the umbrella organization for women's ministry, supporting parish organizations and acts of good will in the community. Its subgroups include the Martha's, who cater funeral and celebration-of-life receptions for up to 150 guests; the Altar Angels, who maintain altar linens and seasonal decorations; and the Coffee and Donuts team that hosts Sunday refreshments. The Guild meets for a retreat every other year and funds projects throughout the parish and community. A separate women's ministry, Ministerio de Mujeres, focuses on helping women grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ through social events and faith formation.
Men's Fellowship
Catholic Men's Fellowship meets on the third Saturday of each month, beginning with 7:00 AM Mass, followed by breakfast and a talk. Brian Bachman leads the group, which is open to any man who wants to grow in Christ and meet other Catholic men from the area.
Welcome Committee, Volunteer Roles, and Night in Bethlehem
The Welcome Committee reaches out to new parishioners to help them connect and call St. Stephen home. Parish volunteers serve as ushers, lectors, altar servers, and Eucharistic Ministers during Mass; staff the food pantry and thrift store; assist with hospitality and event planning; and help run livestreamed Masses and parish social media. Each Advent the parish hosts Night in Bethlehem, a living Nativity experience for the whole community with food, fellowship, and activities for all ages.
Giving, Online Resources, and Practicalities
The parish office sits at 31020 Cole Grade Road, Valley Center, and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The phone number is (760) 749-3324; for a priest after hours in an emergency, callers select Option 1. Online giving is available for one-time or recurring gifts to the regular offering, debt reduction, maintenance, faith formation, the youth minister, or the holiday offering. The parish participates in the Annual Catholic Appeal of the Diocese of San Diego and uses Flocknote for parish-wide email communication and FORMED for Catholic books, audio talks, movies, and documentaries.