St. Anthony Mary Claret Catholic Church
Encyclopedia
St. Anthony Mary Claret Catholic Church is located in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley
San Joaquin Valley
The San Joaquin Valley is the area of the Central Valley of California that lies south of the Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta in Stockton...
in Central California
Central California
Central California, sometimes referenced as Mid-State, is an area of California south of the San Francisco Bay Area and north of Southern California...
. The Claretians
Claretians
The Claretians, a community of Roman Catholic priests and brothers, were founded by Saint Anthony Claret in 1849. They strive to follow their founder's “on fire” example and help wherever they are needed. Their ministries are highly diverse and vary depending on the needs of the area. They focus...
began to minister to the Spanish and English speaking in the suburb of Fresno
Fresno
Fresno is the fifth largest city in California.Fresno may also refer to:-Places:Colombia* Fresno, TolimaSpain* Fresno, a ghost village in Nidáliga, Valle de Sedano, Burgos* Aldea del Fresno, Madrid* Fresno de la Vega, Ribera del Esla, León...
in 1951. During this year a temporary building was created that would eventually house the permanent building which now stands today. The church was the first to be named by the U.S. Claretians
Claretians
The Claretians, a community of Roman Catholic priests and brothers, were founded by Saint Anthony Claret in 1849. They strive to follow their founder's “on fire” example and help wherever they are needed. Their ministries are highly diverse and vary depending on the needs of the area. They focus...
. Over time improvements were made and a site was purchased that would eventually house a permanent parish.
Although the parish is part of the official Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno
Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno is a particular church of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in the western region of the United States, in the State of California. It is a suffragan diocese of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles...
it holds loose ties to the dioceses. Its parish priests are assigned and directed by the Claretian U.S. Western Province in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
The parish boasts a strong growing Hispanic community, under the current direction of Rev. Gabriel Ruiz, CMF with assistance of associate pastors Rev. Ralph Berg, CMF and Rev. Albert Vázquez, CMF.
Past Parish Priests
Rev. Ron Alves, CMFRev. Cecil Barron, CMF
Rev. Robert J. Billett, CMF
Rev. Brian Culley, CMF
Rev. Tony Diaz, CMF
Rev. Dennis Gallo, CMF
Rev. Art Gramaje, CMF
Rev. Henry J. Luna, CMF
Rev. Darrin Merlino, CMF
Rev. Quyen Nguyen, CMF
Rev. Anthony Okolo, CMF
Rev. Valentín Rámon, CMF
Rev. José Sánchez, CMF
Rev. Rosendo Urrabazo, CMF
Rev. Fernando Vega, CMF