Our History

Established 1970

St. Augustine Parish began in July 1970. It was formed of Catholics from Daly City, South San Francisco, San Bruno, and Pacifica. Under the leadership of Fr. Paul E. Duggan, St. Augustine Parish was formally established In December that same year.

Prior to and during the time the church was in construction, a 7:15 PM Saturday evening mass was held at the Parish Center: Fred's Produce, which was a commercial store next to the original Walgreens in Westborough Square. As the congregation grew, the masses were moved to Westborough Junior High School’s gymnasium (now Westborough Middle School.) There was a total of seven weekend masses: 4:00 PM and 5:15 PM on Saturdays; 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, and 12:00 PM on Sundays.

The Parish Center was also used as a meeting place for planning and organizing the Parish Building Program, created under the guidance of Fr. Paul E. Duggan and General Chairman Sherman Mattisoa, with assistance from Msgr. John J. Murphy, Fr. Joseph McHugh, C.S.Sp., and seminarians John Wester and Jerry Leach.

THE PIONEERS

In order to build the much-needed church, money was needed. It was decided that the needed funds would be acquired though pledges, to be paid over a three-year period. To secure the pledges, it was necessary to create a competent and dedicated organization to handle the task of producing and finalizing the pledges. Parishioners began volunteering their time as Division Chairmen, Section Chairmen, Team Captain and Team Members. To institute the building program, all committee members, and workers each made a pledge of their own.

Members of the clergy and parish committee worked diligently to plan and organize the fundraising program. They made efforts to publicize the fundraiser by introducing themselves to the surrounding residents, walking door-to-door to inform them of the new Catholic Church being built. The workers stressed the need to raise the required funds for the proposed church building.

Many of the people contacted were pleased to hear that a new church was being built and graciously made pledges. Additionally, the clergy and parish committee called other church parishioners from designated areas, sending out letters via postal mail, collecting and securing pledges, and completing the paperwork, as well as many other tasks. At a time be-fore cellular phones, computers, and the Internet, much of this was done through personal one-on-one conversations. The building program was a parish-wide function. Every income bearer in the parish was asked to make a pledge, payable over a 36-month period. Response to the appeal for the pledges was overwhelming, and the fundraising program was a great success.

GROUNDBREAKING AND CONSTRUCTION

After five long years of working and waiting, the time had finally arrived for the beginning of construction on our parish church. The blessing of the church site and the fundraising ceremony of the new Catholic Church of St. Augustine were held at 10:30 AM on February 15,1975, with Archbishop Joseph T. McGucken officiating. Also in attendance were founding Pastor Fr. Paul E. Duggan, Msgr. Richard W. Power and Msgr. John J. Murphy. Master of ceremonies was Fr. Daniel F. Walsh.

Official dedication of the new, multi-purpose church building took place on Sunday, December 14, 1975. Ceremonies began at 12:15 pm with the blessing and dedications. Mass was concelebrated by Archbishop McGucken with Fr. Duggan, two of his brothers, Fr. Eugene F. Duggan (Pastor-St. Denis Church, Menlo Park) and Fr. William E. Duggan (Pastor –St. Michael Church, San Francisco), as well as Fr. Joseph T. Pritchard (Pastor –St. Martin Church, San Jose). The homilist was Msgr. John J. Murphy, who had been with St. Augustine since the parish started. Master of Ceremonies was Fr. Walsh. Also in attendance were seminarians John Wester and Jerry Leach.

The three church combined choirs of St. Augustine (Children’s, Young Adult, and Adult Choirs) of 175 members under the direction of Mr. Fred Seager, sang at the special dedication Mass. Following the ceremonies, a reception was held at the University Irish Cultural Center in San Francisco.

EARLY PARISH LIFE

There were approximately 2,300 families in the parish, and since there was no parish school, St. Augustine had a brand religious education program under the direction of Sister Josephine Leyne, D.M.J., who managed all levels of religious education from preschool through adult classes. There were approximately 50 preschoolers, 420 students from the primary grade classes, many of whom were preparing for First Holy Communion, and 130 young students who were preparing for Confirmation. Fr. Duggan was the only full-time priest permanently assigned to the new parish with regular help from the Jesuit priests. Deacon John Wester and other seminarians from St. Patrick’s Seminary also assisted with the masses and other duties of running the parish. Also helping with Masses, when available, was Fr. James J. Devlin, a cousin of Fr. Duggan who had been working with Cambodian refugees in South Vietnam. On his return to California, Fr. Devlin offered Mass at St. Augustine’s on his first Sunday in the United States.

The celebration of the First Holy Communion at St. Augustine Church was held on April 30 and May 1, 1977, with Fr. Duggan and Fr. John P. Tarmin as celebrants. As parishioners started to become active in the Church, organizations were formed. Some of the first were the Men’s Club, the Ladies’ Guild, the Italian Catholic Federation and the Teen Club. In the following years, more and more organizations were formed until the present time where there are now more than thirty parish ministries and organizations, eight different parish choirs, and independent organizations that include St. Vincent de Paul and the Knights of Columbus

THE PARISH HALL

With the church fully operational, the next task facing the parish was the need to raise funds for the completion of the parish hall. CCD was taught primarily in the homes of teachers. Social functions were held in a tract home several blocks away. It was apparent that there existed an urgent need for a parish hall and rectory. In May of 1979, Fr. Michael J. Keane (pastor) and Fr. Robert J. Gemmet (Associate Pastor) appealed to the parishioners for the required $484,000 that was needed to build a parish hall and rectory.

As a fundraising campaign, the St. Augustine’s Development Program was instituted with another pledge drive. Parishioners were asked to make pledges to be payable over a 36-month period. The groundbreaking for the proposed hall and rectory was held on February 10, 1980. On Sunday, March 22, 1981, at 3:00 pm, a Mass of dedication for our parish hall and rectory was held, with Fr. Keane and Fr. Neil Healy as celebrants. CCD classes were moved from catechist’s homes into the parish hall. Sister Josephine Leyne, D.M.J. was later succeeded by, Sr. Michaela Murray, O.P. After Sr. Michaela fell ill, she left her post and was then succeeded by, Sr. Nona M. Barairo, sfcc, who remains the current Director of Religious Education and Parish Catechetical Leader as of this writing.

In 1989, Fr. Keane was succeeded by the third pastor, Fr. Floro Arcamo (now Msgr. Arcamo), who remained the parish’s pastor through 1993. Fr. Eugene Tungol later followed to become St. Augustine’s fourth pastor.

The Church Expansion

THE VISION

In 1997, Fr. Eugene saw the need for another Capital Campaign for the expansion of the church and building of an elementary school. The project required two comprehensive studies which were completed by professionals in the Catholic education and parish community.

The campaign was spearheaded by Salvador (Buddy) Braganza, who was then Parish Pastoral Council President, and by Johann A. Yuzon, who was the Finance Council President at that time. Through free-will offerings and pledges made by the parishioners, the expansion was completed. During the construction, masses and devotions were held in the parish hall and at Westborough Middle School. 

On Saturday, June 2, 2001, the expanded church was consecrated by Archbishop William J. Levada at the 4:30 pm mass.

The proposal for a new elementary school met opposition from some neighborhood families who feared the type of traffic the school would generate. City Council members were lobbied, and several meetings were had with the mayor and city planning division. Finally, a town hall meeting was held to hear the concerns of the opposing parties, as well as the views of the parish community. Community members came out in full force to support the parish and hear to the City’s final decision. Members of the Knights of Columbus and Small Christian Communities made sure that the large number of parishioners in attendance remained calm and orderly. The unanimous decision to allow construction of the school was met with loud cheers and applause. In the end, members of the parish community and their opposing neighbors made peace with each other prior to leaving City Hall.

When the parish was ready to build the elementary school, the Archdiocese required another comprehensive study to be conducted. The findings turned out to be a huge disappointment to young parish-families. The study determined that a school was no longer needed due to the number of neighboring schools and the decline in Catholic school registrations. 

St. Augustine's Faith Formation Program (CCD and Confirmation) remains one of the most sought out programs by young families in the area.

THE EVOLUTION

The church continued to thrive under the administration of, Fr. Rene Ramoso. Through the generosity and support of its parishioners, St. Augustine consistently met the Archdiocesan Annual Appeal under his watch. The parish boomed with parish activities, new parishioners, ministry-volunteers, musicians, and singers. Under Fr. Rene’s leadership, the parish conducted several major fundraising events through parish festivals and Santacruzan (Marian May Festival) proceeds of which largely augmented the financial stability of the parish. His uncomplicated approach of administration opened doors for the laity to express their gifts and skills in stewardship of the community. 

For the most part, parishioners and neighbors noticed the physical changes in the church facilities and surroundings in a positive way. The compound was fenced and gated to secure the safety of parishioners during evening gatherings; facilities are maintained and updated; and statues such as St. Francis of Assisi, the Holy Family, Michael the Archangel, and other Marian images keep watch of the different garden sites.

In 2014, St. Augustine Catholic Church took 1st Place for Outstanding Landscape and Maintenance of Property in the Commercial Category, in the City of South San Francisco. The parish was awarded by the South San Francisco Beautification Committee of the City of South San Francisco.

Since its inception, St. Augustine has evolved to become the largest parish in the Archdiocese of San Francisco. 

On its 45th year, St. Augustine Church began focusing on the renovation of the church’s Sanctuary, which inspired parishioners to work together as one body.


As remembered by Lee Varniwith  
and contributing writers 
Amor Baldomero and Nerissa A. Broas

The Sanctuary Renovation

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In March 2007, a proposal prepared by the Temporal Commission to improve the tabernacle was presented to the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC). Due to other priorities that time, the proposal was held in abeyance. Four years later, in November 2011, our Pastor, Fr. Rene Ramoso had the tabernacle project revisited especially since several parishioners have shared with him their concern that the tabernacle and the crucifix are not completely visible from certain vantage points in the church. The observations were further validated and so, in July 2012, the PPC seriously considered the proposal. Initial consultations were done including a visit by Fr. Dave Petitnggill who noted that improving the tabernacle would necessarily involve a renovation of the sanctuary that would allow for a liturgically appropriate configuration. Aside from raising funds for the project, the need to discuss and process the idea with everyone was considered of utmost importance. In response to the call for raising funds for the project, the Music Ministry held a concert entitled, “Love is in the Air” in February 2014. The PPC also launched the SantaCruzan 2014 not only as a community catechesis and community building opportunity but also as a form of stewardship to generate funds for the renovation of the sanctuary. Another fund-raising was the Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in October 2014, a second pilgrimage to the Holy Land and another to Eastern Europe in 2015. With the successful fund-raising projects, the next step was to look at the other components needed by this undertaking especially with reference to the requirements of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. In addition, the project idea was further shared with the various members of the ministries, religious organizations and the parish community in general.

THE PLANNING PROCESS

The parish availed of the services of Sr. Marilyn Ann Morgan, RSM as a Liturgical Consultant to provide guidance and direction in the planning process and to help ensure the participation of the community. Sr. Marilyn called for the formation of two committees: namely, the Design Steering Committee and the Advisory Committee. The Design Steering Committee is composed of parishioners who represent different aspects of the parish in terms of philosophy, theology, age, etc. This committee participated in the formation sessions and served as the decision-making body. The Advisory Committee, which was opened to all parishioners represented the parish age-wise, ethnically, and in all its diversity. Both Committees at-tended the four Formation Sessions/Workshops conducted by Sr. Marilyn on July 12, August 4, August 25 and September 8, 2014 at the Parish Hall. During the meetings, the participants shared their ideas and inputs, and endorsed a common vision statement and liturgical principles which formed the basis for design development of the project. Workshop Highlights While the focus of the project is the renovation of the sanctuary, it was imperative during the workshops to consider the other essential aspects as follows:

A. Sacred Space-a place of transformation; a place that touches our soul; where one feels the presence of God.

B. Gathering-we welcome one another and gather before and after the liturgies as one worshiping community.

C. Seating of the Assembly-should reflect how the assembly participates in the actions of the liturgy.

D. Liturgy of the Eucharist/Blessed Sacrament Chapel-focuses on the space needed to carry out the liturgy and the placement of the

       Blessed Sacrament.

E. Baptistry-we look at the kind of space to carry out the rite of baptism or both infants and adults according to the rites of the liturgy.

F. Reconciliation Chapel/A Space for Music-consist of a prayerful and sacred place for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and a suitable

      space for the musicians as leaders of the songs and still a part of the assembly.

G. Shrines and Images/Art and Environment-we need to look at who we honor, how we honor the saints and where to create shrines for

      them so that they can be accessible for private devotions. Art and fitting environment should be found in the worship space.

WORKSHOP OUTPUTS

As a result of the active deliberation during the workshops, the committees drafted the guiding principles and conducted a needs assessment in relation to the worship space, worship support space and exterior spaces. Such outputs were reviewed and finalized by the Design Steering Committee as basis for the architectural program statement.

NEXT PHASE

The Design Steering Committee was then tasked to screen and select the architectural firm for the project. Based on set criteria, Greg Roja and Associates, Inc. was chosen for the project. This architectural firm worked on the schematic design to be presented to the Office of Worship as well as to the Building Committee of the Archdiocese. Meanwhile, in March 2015, the parish formed the Ways and Means Committee to conceptualize and focus on major fundraising activities for the Sanctuary Renovation Project as well as to oversee the mode of celebration for the 45thFoundation Anniversary of the parish as a springboard for the fund-raising events. This Committee formed working sub-committees that planned and implemented various activities and projects to accomplish set goals. Among these projects were: The Black and White Charity Ball, Jubilee Golf Club Tournament, 45thAnniversary Souvenir Program, Dollar Raffle, Family Fun Day, “The Angelo’s” Concert, “Our Story” (45 Years of Parish Life) Book, and Children’s Choir Concert. In addition to these, parishioners and other benefactors continued to give their contributions and donation pledges for the project.

In a meeting with the Archdiocesan Office of Worship on August 3, 2015, concerns on the peripherals were discussed and the Sanctuary Renovation Over-all Project was approved in principle. The architect’s initial de-sign was then presented to the parish community and later, the necessary revisions were done. The architectural plan was completed and present-ed to the Building Committee which looked into the estimated construction costs as well as the financial and other requirements of the project. The Office of Worship then recommended the project for the approval of Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone who gave his comment specifically on the location of the tabernacle, the design of the altar and the ambo.

GROUNDBREAKING

Construction was projected to begin early 2016. However, this was delayed due to other minor revisions required on the plans. On April 23, 2016, the parish held the much-awaited groundbreaking ceremony for the Sanctuary Renovation Project in the presence of Fr. John Piderit of the Archdiocese of San Francisco to the excitement of the parish community. While the necessary building permit was being processed, plans for alternative venues for the daily and weekend Masses, other liturgical activities and parish events were considered and necessary preparation was underway.

CONSTRUCTION

Actual construction started last February 2017. The parish put up a huge tent in the courtyard between the church and the parish office/rectory while the church was off limits during the entire construction period. To accommodate the assembly at Masses and other liturgical activities, the parish hall was used for weekday Masses and other events.

On weekend Masses, a CCTV camera was set up in the tent to capture the actual celebration of the Mass and projected this on screen for those Mass goers in the Parish Hall. Parishioners patiently endured the inconveniences especially the cold and windy weather in the area as well as the occasional sunny hot summer days. All the 5,000 parishioners eagerly awaited completion of the construction. Meanwhile, the Ways and Means Committee continued following up pledges of support from parishioners and other benefactors. The various Ministers and religious organizations came up with their respective fund-raising activities ranging from casino trips, direct solicitation, “Wall of Money”, golf tournament, dollar raffle, several pilgrimages and others. Construction phase took 6 months since the work was not just renovating the sanctuary to include the new tabernacle, new altar and ambo but also improving the interiors. The ceiling was raised to allow for more natural light. The new tabernacle was placed at the center, opening the view of every place in the church. The large crucifix was moved slightly to the side nearer to the choir area and lighted from behind with colors of the liturgical seasons. The floor tiles were replaced, the icons were relocated, the pews were refurbished, and the stained glass restored. In addition, the lighting and sound systems were upgraded, and the restrooms improved to be in compliance with the city’s building code. The project reached $2.1 million which the parishioners pledged to raise as an expression of their stewardship.

REDEDICATION AND BLESSING

To transition to the renovated church, the parish community realized the need to be prepared for this phase. A committee was formed with the guidance of Associate Pastor Fr. Ed Dura, to plan and prepare the community. Two series of workshops entitled, “Renewed Church, Renewed Hearts” were held on July 20 and August 17, 2017 attended by ministers, members of religious organizations and parishioners at large.

The committee worked for the long -awaited event of the Rededication and blessing of the newly renovated St. Augustine Church and consecration of the new Altar by His Excellency, Most Reverend Salvatore Cordileone, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of San Francisco on August 26, 2017 to coincide with the celebration of the feast day of the patron saint of the parish, St. Augustine. This included the sanctification of the new Italian tabernacle and ambo. It was indeed a day of rejoicing not only for the parishioners but also for the hundreds of guests who attended the occasion. With the grace of God, the leadership of the clergy and the overwhelming support of the parish community, the newly renovated sanctuary is now a reality!


Mediatrix Valera

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