Photo Gallery
Our April Senior Social was on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
This month, along with the usual delicious luncheon and desserts, attendees were treated to a presentation by the Contra Costa Sheriff Search and Rescue Team. Our socials are not only fun, but they're an opportunity to share information about resources and support to our Senior community.
Many thanks to our Senior Social Ministry Team, as well as our Hospitality Ministry for always going above and beyond to show our Senior Community at St. John Vianney and St. Mary Church a wonderful time!
30 friends and parishioners joined us for our now annual Lenten Hike at Castle Rock. As we journeyed together, we prayed the Stations of the Cross along the trail, reflecting on Christ’s passion in the beauty of nature. The hike culminated in a beautiful celebration of Mass overlooking the stunning landscape in our own backyard. It was a meaningful and prayerful experience for all who attended. Save the date for March 6, 2027.
Our February Senior Social was on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
Bidding a Fond Farewell to John Dandan
After prayerful discernment, our Music Ministry Director, John Dandan, has announced his decision to retire from his position, effective January 31, 2026, bringing to a close five years of extraordinary service to our parish community.
During his tenure here at St. John Vianney, the quality of sacred music in our parish has grown exponentially. John’s passion, dedication, and reverence for sacred music have enriched our worship, strengthened our choirs, and fostered a deep sense of unity within our congregation. He has also generously mentored and inspired countless young people as they discovered and developed their musical gifts, truly “leaving footprints on the sands of time.”
We are profoundly grateful for John’s leadership, guidance, and quiet, dignified presence. Though he will be greatly missed, his legacy will continue to resonate in the hearts of all who have had the privilege to work with him, worship with him, and hear his beautiful compositions and arrangements.
John's Farewell Reception took place on Sunday, January 25, following the 5:00 PM Mass, in Mullen Commons.
Celebrating the Retirement of Maryanne Richards
After 14 years of dedicated service on our parish staff, Maryanne Richards officially retired at the end of January.
Maryanne’s roots in our community run deep. Born in San Francisco and raised in Walnut Creek, she has been a faithful parishioner at SJV since 1968. Long before joining the office staff in 2011, Maryanne was a familiar face in our pews and a tireless volunteer, serving in numerous ministries over the decades.
Whether you knew her from her ministry work or as the welcoming voice behind the desk, we have all been blessed by her kindness, institutional knowledge, and love for this parish. While she has retired from her "official" duties, we are grateful she will remain a cherished member of our faith community.
The reception was held on Saturday, January 24th in Mullen Commons.
Thursday, December 4th, our senior parishioners gathered for our Christmas Themed Senior Social. Not only do we gather for food, fellowship, and fun, we create a wonderful opportunity for our parishioners to get social and network. Our attendees were entertained with Carols sung by the Northgate High School Madrigals.
On Saturday, October 4th, we welcomed our furry and feathered parishioners and their lovable humans in the labyrinth for a special Blessing by Father Bart.
On Thursday, September 18th, our senior parishioners gathered for food, fellowship, and fun at our monthly Senior Social. This month, our attendees channeled their competitive spirits and tested their knowledge in a rousing round of trivia! It was a great way for everyone to connect!
On Wednesday, September 17th, the Fil-Am Ministry celebrated their Bilingual (Tagalog-English) mass. Our September mass was presided by the Very Reverend Fr. John Erick Villa — Rector of the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland, CA. The mass was concelebrated by was our pastor, Rev. Fr. William Rosario and our associate pastor, Fr. Rolando Bartolay.
Mass was followed by hospitality where everyone enjoyed a delicious catered dinner and wonderful fellowship in Mullen Commons hosted by the Fil-Am Ministry.
On May 15th, our senior parishioners gathered for food, fellowship, and fun at our monthly Senior Social. Not only do we create a wonderful opportunity for our parishioners to get social and network, our Hospitality Ministry also works hard to put together insightful and important presentations to help keep our community informed. This month's theme was TRAVEL.
Last Saturday, over 60 women from St. John Vianney and St. Mary gathered for our annual Day of Reflection & Tea, a cherished tradition that began following the pandemic.
The day began with the celebration of Mass, grounding us in the Eucharist and setting a reverent tone for the hours ahead. Our guest speaker offered a moving reflection on the Words of Mary, sharing her personal testimony of encountering Our Lady in the wake of profound loss. Her story brought both comfort and inspiration, drawing many into deeper contemplation of Mary’s presence in our lives.
Participants were then invited into a time of Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, creating space for silent prayer and the healing mercy of God.
The event concluded with small group discussions and a beautifully prepared tea luncheon, where attendees connected in fellowship and shared the blessings of the day.
We are deeply grateful to all who contributed their time, talents, and prayers to make this event possible. It was truly a grace-filled gathering that reminded us of the strength and beauty of faith shared in community.
In Christ,
Shannon Rogers
Discipleship & Faith Formation
On Sunday, April 27, 2025, at 5:00pm mass, the young men and women from our Faith Formation programs, received the sacrament of Confirmation. Vicar General, the Very Reverend, Lawrence C. D'Anjou, together with concelebrant, Fr. William Rosario and assisted by Fr. Bich Nguyen and Fr. Rolando "Bart" Bartolay, presided over the ceremony which welcomed Confirmandi from St. John Vianney and our sister parish, St. Mary's. Congratulations to all of the Candidates!
The Easter Vigil is a unique and important liturgy celebrated on Holy Saturday night, marking the beginning of Easter Sunday. It's not just a Saturday evening Mass but a distinct liturgy with a powerful symbolism of light conquering darkness, celebrating Christ's resurrection. The Vigil is divided into four parts: the Service of Light, the Liturgy of the Word, the Liturgy of Baptism, and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
At this special mass, St. John Vianney welcomed adults into our Catholic community. Congratulations to all of the newest members of our Catholic Faith!
On Thursday, April 17th, we celebrated Holy Thursday, which is the commemoration of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ, when he established the sacrament of Holy Communion prior to his arrest and crucifixion. At the conclusion of the Mass, there was a solemn procession to the Mullen Commons Vista to begin an evening of prayerful vigil at the beautiful Altar of Repose, designed and decorated by our Fil-Am Ministry.
On Saturday, March 8th, our RCIA candidates and catechumens were presented to Bishop Michael C. Barber at the Rite of Election at The Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland.
Photos courtesy of Justin Cardona and the Cathedral of Christ the Light
On February 20th, our senior parishioners gathered for food, fellowship, and fun at our monthly Senior Social. Not only do we create a wonderful opportunity for our parishioners to get social and network, we also put together insightful and important presentations to help keep our community informed. This month, we were honored to have members of the Contra Costa County Fire Rescue give a talk about Emergency Preparedness. In light of the recent wildfires in Southern California, this was a timely topic.
Love was in the air for our parish sweethearts as they attended the Annual Couples Date Night on Saturday, February 15th. Sponsored by the Couples Ministry and hosted and emcee'd by Lisa and James Guarnaccia, the couples were treated to tantalizing Trivia, icebreaker Bingo, and a rousing round of The Newlywed Game. As the competition heated up, we nibbled on delicious hot and cold appetizers and a wide variety of desserts and other confections.
On Wednesday, February 19 the Fil-Am Ministry celebrated their monthly Bilingual (Tagalog-English) mass. Our February mass was presided by Rev. Fr. Ken Sales, Pastor of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Fremont, CA. The concelebrant was our very own pastor, Rev. Fr. William Rosario.
Mass was followed by hospitality where attendees enjoyed a delicious catered dinner in Mullen Commons hosted by the Fil-Am Ministry.
Our Christmas Concert and Party was held on Friday evening, December 20th. The beautiful music brought us all into the Holiday Spirit thanks to the wonderful arrangements of our Musical Director, John Dandan, his amazing orchestra, and the unforgettable performances by the soloists and the adult and childrens choirs. After the program, we all gathered in Mullen Commons for refreshments and fellowship.
On Wednesday, December 18th, the Fil-Am Ministry proudly hosted the traditional Simbang Gabi mass.
On Wednesday, October, 2024, the Fil-Am Ministry celebrated their monthly Bilingual (Tagalog-English) mass. Our October mass was presided by Rev. Fr. John Erick Villa from St. Raymond Parish in Dublin, and the concelebrant was our very own pastor, Rev. Fr. William Rosario.
Mass was followed by hospitality where attendees enjoyed a delicious dinner in Mullen Commons hosted by the Fil-Am Ministry.
Our senior parishioners gathered for food, fellowship, and fun at our monthly Senior Social that resumed on October 17th.
It was a lovely way to usher in the Fall season.
At our 5:00pm mass on Sunday, September 8th, nine of our parish teens received their First Holy Communion. The mass was presided by Fr. William Rosario. A special Hospitality was held for the First Communicants and their families after mass.
The finale of our Fall Kickoff weekend was the Faith Formation Welcome Back BBQ. The event was hosted by Faith Formation, with the unfailing support of our Knights of Columbus, and Hospitality and Fil-Am Ministries. All were welcome, as people packed the Mullen Commons to partake in delicious food, fellowship, and fun and games.
Tours of our rectory and a Scavenger-hunt-style tour of our church were available for all those who wanted to learn more about our Parish history and its inner workings. What a great way to round out our Fall Kickoff weekend and begin the 2024-25 Faith Formation season!
On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, the Fil-Am Ministry celebrated their monthly bilingual (Tagalog-English) mass. Our August mass was presided by Rev. Fr. Ryan Dellota from St. Michael Church in Livermore, and the concelebrant was our very own pastor, Rev. Fr. William Rosario.
Mass was followed by a delicious dinner in Mullen Commons hosted by the Fil-Am Ministry. Attendees broke bread and enjoyed fellowship with other Fil-Am sisters and brothers from St. Mary's Church, also in Walnut Creek, and St. Perpetua's Church in Lafayette.
It is such a joy to see this Ministry and Community grow!
Our King of Glory Cross has returned!
You may have noticed the Cross had been absent from the front of the Sanctuary. At the end of June, to coincide with the recent repainting of the church interior, the Cross was temporarily removed and taken to be refurbished. After several weeks, and many man hours of meticulous work, the King of Glory is back and looking good as new!
Before placing Him back in place above the Tabernacle, the cross was placed on display in the vestibule during the weekend of August 3-4. It was a rare opportunity for parishioners to see the cross and appreciate its beautiful details up close.
Facts About the King of Glory Cross
- The Crucifix — measuring 5ft wide x 8ft high — was originally purchased by Fr. Mullen from a Jesuit Community in Taiwan. It was the first sculpture in the church and it was installed on the front wall of the Sanctuary in 1967.
- The sculptures of St. Teresa, St. John Vianney, Mary, and Joseph were also purchased from the same Jesuit community, but arrived later than the Cross.
- The Cross has remained in its original position since 1967 until its removal in July 2024 for restoration – 57 years.
- The Cross has been beautifully restored to iits original design by Andre & Barbara Bossak, owners of Beau Art Studio in Capitola, CA.
- The restoration took approximately 290 man hours and used methods consistent with procedures of the 1950-1960 time frame.
- It was restored to look as it did when it was first elevated in the church.
Click on the gallery below to view the Cross' journey to restoration and back home to St. John Vianney.
St. John Vianney and the Diocese of Oakland was well-represented at the recent National Eucharistic Revival Congress that took place in Indianapolis, IN this past July 17-21.
From left — Liz Pratt, Vicki Pezzoli, Renalyn Wood, Bishop Michael Barber, Fr. William Rozario, Eureka Casebolt, Victoria Villanueva, Chris Boome, Grace Jorge, Doug Casebolt, and Sharon Boome
Our Summer Senior Social took place on Thursday, June 27. The Mullen Commons was decorated with sunshine bright colors are our Senior parishioners were treated to a light and delicious fare of sandwiches, salads, and fresh fruit. Entertainment was provided by our Music Director, John Dandan and a guest vocalist.
Senior Socials will be on hiatus for the next few months and will resume again in the Fall.
On Wednesday, June 26, 2024, the Fil-Am Ministry celebrated their monthly bilingual (Tagalog-English) mass. The mass was presided by Rev. Fr. Jimmy Macalinao from St. Perpetua, Lafayette and the concelebrant was our very own pastor, Rev. Fr. William Rosario.
Mass was followed by a delicious dinner hosted by the Fil-Am Ministry.
We celebrated Class of 2024 graduates — of all ages — at our 5:00pm mass on 6/9/2024. Fr. William Rosario presided over mass and invited all of the recent graduates to the front of the church for a special blessing. After mass, a small reception was held in Mullen Commons.
On June 1, 2024, members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, along with Executive Director, Claudia Ramirez welcomed Archbishop Andrew Bellisario from the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau, Alaska to St. John Vianney. Archbishop Bellisario presided at 4:30pm mass.
Our May Senior Social was held on Thursday, May 16th. Seniors enjoyed a Spring celebration with fresh sandwiches, delicious salads, and wonderful company. Members of St. Vincent de Paul Society did a presentation to tell us all about some of the services they provide to those in need in the community — from food vouchers and gas cards to daily showers and other types of assistance — the St. Vincent de Paul Society goes above and beyond to help. For more information about the St. Vincent de Paul Society, please visit their ministry page on our web site.
On Sunday, May 5, a very special Farewell Hospitality was held to honor Deacon Alendro and Deacon Velenson. For the past two years, Alendro and Velenson have become an important part of our Parish Family. In the coming weeks, they will be ending their time with us and returning to their homes in Goa, India to prepare for their upcoming Ordinations into the priesthood, this September. We gathered in Mullen Commons to thank them for their service, celebrate them, and bid them a heartfelt farewell.
On Sunday, April 28, 2024, at 5:00pm mass, 33 adults and teens received the sacrament of Confirmation. Bishop Michael Barber, together with concelebrant, Fr. William Rosario, presided over the ceremony which welcomed Confirmandi from St. John Vianney and our sister parish, St. Mary's. Congratulations to all of the Candidates!
In honor of Earth Week 2024 (April 22-27), Faith Café presented “The Letter”, a powerful documentary exploring the principles of Pope Francis’ letter Laudato Si’ and the escalating impact of climate change on communities around the world. Developed with the help and participation of Pope Francis, this film is a thought-provoking message for our Earth and an invitation to “enter a dialogue with all people about the future of our common home.” https://laudatosimovement.org/
Our April Senior Social was held on Thursday, April 18th. Seniors enjoyed a trip to Italy at the Mullen Commons with lasagna, pizelle and more! They were also treated to a presentation by the Mechlers about their trip to Italy!
On Wednesday, April 17, 2024, the Fil-Am Ministry celebrated their monthly bilingual (Tagalog-English) mass. Our presider was Rev. Fr. Mark Reburiano from St. Gregory church in San Mateo and the concelebrant was our very own pastor, Rev. Fr. William Rosario.
As usual, the mass was followed by a delicious dinner hosted by the Fil-Am Ministry.
At our Easter Vigil, St. John Vianney welcomed 7 adults into our Catholic community. The Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation takes place during the Liturgy on Holy Saturday when the Elect receives the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. It is then that the person is fully initiated into the Catholic Church.
On Good Friday, we commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary.
On Thursday, March, 28th, we celebrated Holy Thursday, which is the commemoration of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ, when he established the sacrament of Holy Communion prior to his arrest and crucifixion. At the conclusion of the Mass, there was a procession to the Mullen Commons Vista to begin an evening of prayerful vigil at the beautiful Altar of Repose, designed and decorated by our Fil-Am Ministry.
Seniors enjoyed a St Patrick's themed lunch and were treated to Irish Dancing, performed by dancers who are ranked 10th in Irish dance and music in the world! They visited just before they left for Glasgow to compete in the World Championships.
Click above to watch the Irish Dance performance.
SJV Families participated in MLK Day of Service at the Food Bank on Jan 15. The families spent time learning about Martin Luther King Jr, bagging produce to be distributed and touring the Food Bank.
Did you know that 1 in 4 residents in Contra Costa and Solano Counties receive food from the Food Bank and their local partners ( including SVDP)? What a blessing this day was serving alongside some of our youngest parishioners.
The January Senior Social occurred on Thursday, January 18th, with a rousing game of trivia! Guests had lunch and had to answer trivia questions by table, with the winners getting candy bars as a sweet prize!
Our monthly Bilingual Mass Fil-Am Novena Mass was celebrated Wednesday evening, January 17th.
Following the Mass, guests were treated to dinner in our Mullen Commons, courtesy of our Fil-Am Ministry.
Bishop Barber visited St John Vianney on Sunday, December 17,
to talk to the parish and join us for hospitality.
