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A Beacon of Faith in East San José: Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Deepens Faith Through Families, Worship, and Formation
In the heart of East San José, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish stands as a place of faith, welcome, and hope. Every week, thousands of parishioners gather for Mass, prayer, formation, and fellowship, creating a vibrant community rooted in devotion to Christ and care for one another. As a recipient of a Catholic Community Foundation Living the Faith Grant, the parish is building on that strong foundation to strengthen families, enrich worship, and expand opportunities for spiritual formation.
Each year, the Foundation visits a handful of grant recipients to deliver their Living the Faithawards and learn firsthand about the ministries transforming parish life across the Diocese. During our visit to Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, we encountered a community marked by extraordinary faith, dedicated volunteers, and a shared desire to grow deeper in discipleship.
A Parish with Deep Roots in Community
For generations, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish has been a spiritual home for East San José’s immigrant communities. Located in one of the city’s most diverse yet economically vulnerable neighborhoods, the parish serves a predominantly Latino immigrant community while also welcoming a vibrant Filipino community through its English-language Masses.
The parish’s impact is evident not only in its size, but also in the depth of its engagement. Each weekend, between 3,000 and 3,500 people participate in one of six Masses. Spanish-language liturgies regularly exceed the church’s seating capacity, reflecting a community where faith remains a guiding force in daily life.
The parish is perhaps best known throughout the Diocese for its annual Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration. What begins as a devotional observance grows into a two-day expression of faith and culture, drawing as many as 15,000 to 17,000 participants for Masses, prayer, music, food, and fellowship.
Beyond Sunday worship, the parish serves as a hub of support, advocacy, and accompaniment for families throughout East San José. Parishioners participate in Bible studies, faith formation programs, and sacramental preparation, while community members benefit from a wide network of services offered through parish partnerships. Working alongside Catholic Charities, PACT (People Acting in Community Together), and other local organizations, the parish hosts immigration legal assistance, educational workshops, and community support gatherings. The Rotary Mobile Medical Clinic also visits the parish once a month, offering a range of free and low-cost healthcare services for those in need. These ministries reflect the parish’s longstanding commitment to addressing both the spiritual and practical needs of its neighbors, especially immigrant families seeking guidance, resources, and a welcoming community.
A Community Eager to Grow
Leading the parish is Fr. Hugo Rojas, who became pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in 2024, bringing with him nearly three decades of priestly ministry. Originally from Argentina, he served as a missionary in Taiwan for ten years before ministering at St. Mary’s in Gilroy, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph, and Our Lady of Refuge in San José.
Drawing on his years of pastoral experience, Fr. Hugo recognized both the tremendous strengths of the parish and the opportunities for continued growth. The people of Our Lady of Guadalupe are eager to serve, to learn, and to share their faith with others.
Fr. Hugo is confident that parishioners will respond when given opportunities to serve. As he has seen throughout his ministry, many people are simply waiting to be invited.
– Fr. Hugo
“People are just waiting for you to open the door. They ask me, ‘Father, what can I do for the Church? If you don’t invite me, I don’t show up.’”
That spirit of generosity is one of the parish’s greatest strengths. From Bible studies and faith formation programs to liturgical ministries and community outreach, parishioners are eager to share their gifts in service of the Church and one another.
Bible study groups regularly draw dozens of participants, daily Masses are well attended, and more than 500 children, youth, and adults participate annually in sacramental preparation and faith formation programs. The parish’s Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) program helps people prepare for the sacraments and deepen their Catholic faith. These programs reflect a community that is eager to grow in faith and deepen its relationship with Christ.
The need became even more apparent during a challenging period in early 2026, when concerns surrounding immigration enforcement created anxiety for many families and led to a decline in Mass attendance. In response, the parish expanded support services, offered opportunities for education and accompaniment, and created spaces where community members could receive reliable information and encouragement. The experience highlighted both the vulnerability of the community and the parish’s commitment to walking alongside its people in times of uncertainty.
Pastoral Ministry with Families
After listening to parishioners and consulting with the Parish Pastoral Council, parish leaders identified family ministry and formation as two of the community’s highest priorities. Through the Living the Faith Grant, the parish will offer workshops and formation opportunities led by Catholic psychologists, marriage counselors, therapists, and other professionals to help families strengthen communication, navigate life’s challenges, and grow in faith together.
Building on a successful partnership with the University of Notre Dame, the parish will continue expanding its family ministry offerings, including a special event with internationally recognized Catholic musician and speaker Martín Valverde, whose presentations on faith, family, and discipleship have inspired audiences throughout the Spanish-speaking world. Parish leaders hope these opportunities will provide practical tools and spiritual support that help families become stronger witnesses of Christ in the home and the wider community.
“Formation is a great need here. We have volunteers eager to serve, but they lack formation. Some are in [the Diocese of San José’s] ILM [Institute for Leadership in Ministry], and some can’t participate right now. But formation is essential for both our parishioners and our leaders,” said Fr. Hugo.
Worship and Liturgical Enhancement
The Eucharist is the heart of parish life, and creating an environment where parishioners can fully participate in the liturgy remains a priority. Living the Faith Grant funding will support upgrades to the parish sound system, including new speakers and wireless microphones that will improve the clarity and reliability of audio throughout the church.
For a parish welcoming thousands of worshippers each weekend, these improvements will help parishioners more fully engage in the Mass by clearly hearing Scripture readings, homilies, prayers, and music.
Youth Ministry / Spiritual Formation
Formation extends across every generation at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. The parish plans to host two Youth Encounter Retreats, creating opportunities for young people to grow closer to Christ through prayer, reflection, the sacraments, and community.
The retreats complement the parish’s broader commitment to leadership development and faith formation, helping young people deepen their Catholic identity while encouraging them to become active participants in the life and mission of the Church.
Looking Ahead
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish is a powerful example of a community rich in faith, service, and possibility. Throughout the community, parishioners are already stepping forward, asking how they can serve. The opportunity before the parish is providing the formation, support, and leadership development that will help them fully live out their faith.
The Catholic Community Foundation’s Living the Faith Grants support parish ministries that bring the Diocese of San José’s Pastoral Plan to life. In 2025, the Foundation awarded $327,000 across 45 parishes throughout the Diocese of San Jose, supporting initiatives aligned with the Diocese’s pastoral vision, Renewed in Christ, Together in Mission. By supporting parishes like Our Lady of Guadalupe, these grants help strengthen families, deepen faith, and create long-term impact throughout the diocese.
Learn more about the Living the Faith Grants for parishes in the Diocese of San José: https://catholiccf.org/grants/living-the-faith/.
If you’d like to support the endowments that make these grants possible, visit: https://catholiccf.org/funds/#foi.
Growing in Faith Together: Saint Cyprian Parish’s Vision for Renewal
Saint Cyprian Parish in Sunnyvale is a vibrant and growing faith community committed to strengthening families, forming disciples, and serving its neighbors. As one of the Catholic Community Foundation’s Living the Faith Grant Cycle recipients, the parish is embracing new opportunities to deepen faith, foster community, and bring Christ’s love to others through evangelization, formation, worship, outreach, and collaboration.
Each year, the Foundation selects a handful of grant recipients to visit in person, delivering the grant award, while learning more about the communities they serve. We were blessed to visit Saint Cyprian Parish and hear about the ministries, people, and vision that are shaping their future.
Serving approximately 500 families and growing, including many Latino families, Saint Cyprian is entering an exciting season in its parish life. The parish is also beginning its participation in the Diocese of San José’s Sowing Seeds of Faith Campaign, a key initiative of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan.
Leading Saint Cyprian is Fr. Robain Lamba, who has served as pastor of the parish for the past two years. Originally from Cameroon, Fr. Lamba has lived in California for almost 18 years and previously ministered at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in San José, and St. Nicholas and William Parish in Los Altos. Through a parish survey and ongoing conversations with parishioners, Fr. Lamba and the Parish Leadership Team identified several priorities for growth and renewal that reflect both the pillars of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan and the needs of the parish community.
Family Ministry: Strengthening Families and Building Community
Strengthening family life emerged as a key priority for the parish. Saint Cyprian plans to establish small faith-sharing groups, support participation in retreats and conferences, and offer Retrouvaille, a program that helps couples improve communication and strengthen their marriages.
“The family is a domestic church, and the family is the center of society. If the family is not doing well, society is not going to do well,” shared Fr. Lamba.
Youth and Young Adults: Creating Opportunities for Encounter
Because Saint Cyprian does not currently have a formal teen ministry program, the parish plans to invest in opportunities for youth and young adults to gather for fellowship, retreats, prayer, and Mass.
“We have a growing young adult group now with about 18 members. While we have a small budget for them, the Living the Faith Grant will allow us to offer more retreats where we can go to a place like Rancho San Antonio, hike, share a meal together, and have Mass,” said Dale Vorwerk, Parish Finance Council Chairperson.
Evangelization and Formation: Welcoming Questions, Deepening Faith
To support evangelization and formation, Saint Cyprian plans to offer Alpha, a program that invites people to explore life’s big questions and deepen their faith. Fr. Lamba hopes it will help engage parishioners, welcome those seeking answers, and reconnect people with the Church.
“We’re going to start Alpha here and we’re going to invite other parishes to participate. We’re going to answer some of the basic questions of faith: Who is Jesus Christ? Why do we pray? It’s about bringing people back to God,” said Fr. Lamba.
Worship and Music: Enriching Parish Life
The grant will support the purchase of new Advent and Lenten prayer resources in both English and Spanish, helping parishioners enter more deeply into the liturgical seasons. Saint Cyprian also plans to purchase a new sound board, strengthening the parish’s worship experience.
Parish Outreach: Serving the Wider Community
Fr. Lamba plans to further expand the parish outreach efforts through a new food distribution partnership that will serve families in need. Through this outreach, they will invite more members of the surrounding community to practice the works of mercy and participate in parish events, formation opportunities, and Mass.
Reflection on Collaboration and Impact
Saint Cyprian Parish is a wonderful example of what can happen when a parish listens to its community and responds with faith, creativity, and purpose. Through investments in family life, youth ministry, evangelization, worship, and outreach, the parish is creating new opportunities for people to encounter Christ and grow as disciples.
Collaboration is a key component of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan and an important emphasis of the Foundation’s Living the Faith Grant Cycle. We look forward to seeing how these ministries strengthen families, deepen faith, and bear fruit in Saint Cyprian Parish and beyond.
Learn more about the Living the Faith Grants for parishes in the Diocese of San José: https://catholiccf.org/grants/living-the-faith/.
If you’d like to support the endowments that make these grants possible, visit: https://catholiccf.org/funds/#foi.
Make-a-Will Month: Why August Is the Perfect Time to Plan Ahead
August is Make-a-Will Month, which is the perfect time to be reminded of the importance of having legal plans in place with a will and trust, as nearly 70% of Americans lack a valid will. For most of us, seeing “make a will” on our to-do list is very daunting. While it can be a difficult subject, putting your plans together can help give you and your loved ones peace of mind. Below are three reasons why everyone should have a will, no matter your net worth.
1. You Decide How your Assets are Distributed (not the courts!)
Only by creating a will can you decide who should receive your money, assets, and belongings after your lifetime. Without a will, the courts will determine who is “next of kin” and hand everything over to that person (after taking a substantial amount themselves in fees).
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Welcome to the Team, Adelene!
An alumna of Santa Clara University, Adelene holds an MBA from the Leavey School of Business and a BA in Film & Video from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She brings more than two decades of experience in strategic communications, storytelling, public relations, and community engagement across nonprofit, public sector, and social impact organizations. Most recently, Adelene served as Communications Manager at Housing Trust Silicon Valley, where she led strategic communications across the Greater Bay Area and helped raise the organization’s national profile as a leader in affordable housing finance. Previously, as Marketing Communications Program Supervisor at Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, she managed integrated marketing and communications for more than 40 programs serving over 40,000 individuals and families annually.
Adelene will lead the Foundation’s marketing and communications strategy and implementation, oversee brand management and public relations, and help share stories that connect our community to the Foundation’s mission and impact.
Q&A with Adelene Ramos
Where did you grow up and what was your favorite part about growing up there?
I grew up in a small town near Sacramento with only a handful of Filipino American families (at the time) and one Catholic church, Holy Rosary. Everyone knew each other and although we weren’t related, our community felt like an extended family. I loved that sense of connection and belonging, and it’s something I’ve carried with me throughout my life.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I enjoy watching movies, going on hikes in the redwoods, visiting the beaches in Santa Cruz, and watching sunsets with my family. We love exploring the Bay Area and taking advantage of all the family-friendly activities, events, and festivals that happen throughout the year. I also enjoy visiting museums and writing poetry. One of my personal goals is to publish a chapbook of poetry someday.
What’s your favorite Christmas movie?
A Christmas Story. Watching it every year has been a tradition in my husband’s family since he was a child, and I’ve loved becoming part of that tradition, especially now that we get to share it with our daughter. It’s one of those movies that always brings laughs, fond memories, and a sense of togetherness, making it the perfect way to kick off the holiday season.
What’s the most interesting thing about you that we wouldn’t learn from your resume?
Most people know me through my work in marketing and communications, but storytelling has always been a big part of my life. I studied film in college and I write poetry, but what I love most is connecting with people and hearing their stories. One of my favorite parts of being a communicator is meeting someone for the first time, learning about their experiences, and finding common ground. By the end of an interview, I often feel a genuine connection to that person and a responsibility to tell their story authentically, accurately, and with care.
Why is your faith important to you?
My faith grounds me in the belief that love should be at the heart of everything we do. I often return to 1 Corinthians 13, especially its final verse: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” It reminds me to lead with compassion, serve others generously, and use my gifts to make a positive difference in my community.
What is your favorite part about working at the Foundation (so far)? What attracted you to this position and organization?
I was drawn to this position because it brings together so many things I’m passionate about: storytelling, communications, community impact, and service. Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work with nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, and I’ve found the work deeply meaningful.
What has impressed me most so far is the Foundation’s commitment to helping people create long-term impact through philanthropy. I’m excited to help write and share stories of generosity, grow awareness of the Foundation’s mission, and work alongside a talented team that is dedicated to serving our community.
What is something you still have left on your bucket list?
I’d love to visit friends who live in Europe (Switzerland, Austria, France, and Italy) and spend time exploring the places where my ancestors lived before coming to the Philippines, including the Basque Country in northern Spain. I’d also love to visit Corsica, where my husband’s Puerto Rican ancestors came from. Learning more about our family histories while experiencing those cultures firsthand would be incredibly meaningful. I believe understanding where you come from helps guide where you’re going.
What is one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?
Before having our daughter, my husband and I spent many years producing video and multimedia projects through our boutique production company, and have won awards, been in film festivals, and aired documentaries on PBS. I think like a storyteller first. Whether it’s a video, a newsletter article, a social media post, or a conversation, I’m always looking for ways to help people connect through stories.
2026 Capstone Advisor Session Recap
At the Foundation, we are continually inspired by the vital role advisors play in helping families navigate complexity, articulate purpose, and build meaningful legacies. Our 2026 Capstone Advisor Session brought together a dynamic group of professionals for a morning centered on exactly that—deepening relationships, expanding perspective, and refining the tools needed to guide clients through some of their most important decisions.
During the networking portion of the event, advisors across disciplines —financial, legal, tax, philanthropic, and beyond—took full advantage of the opportunity to connect with peers who face similar challenges and opportunities in their work. The energy in the room and conversations throughout the event reflected the attendees’ shared commitment to excellence and collaboration.
(more…)Annual Report
2025 (PDF)
Grant Distribution
As of June 30, 2026 (PDF)
