Queen of Apostles Parish in San Jose celebrated its 50th anniversary of founding with a special Mass, May 16, presided by Bishop Patrick J. McGrath and concelebrated with present pastor Father Michael Carson.
The multi-cultural dimension of the past and present Diocese of San Jose was clearly reflected at the Queen of Apostles celebration with Prayers of the Faithful offered in Italian, Spanish, Hindi, Filipino, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese and English.
Queen of Apostles Parish was established June 25, 1960, located on Moorpark Avenue amidst orchards then, by the Archdiocese of San Francisco of which Santa Clara County was then a part.
Father Elwood Geary was appointed pastor. As the new church was being built, Mass was celebrated at the Mother Butler High School auditorium (now Harker Academy).
The church was completed and the first Mass was celebrated on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8, 1961. On May 13, 1962, the church was blessed by San Francisco Archbishop Joseph T. McGucken. Confirmation took place that evening with over 6,000 parishioners in attendance.
Construction for the school began Dec. 5, 1963 and was completed by September of 1964, opening with three grades, and staffed with two Religious of the Sacred Heart and one lay teacher.
The rest of the classrooms were used by nearby Archbishop Mitty High School while their building was being completed.
As other parishes were created and boundaries changed, the community became smaller. However, it did not diminish the growth of the community in faith and spiritual development, service groups to help the parish meet the demands of discipleship, and social events that help members get to know one another, observed Father Carson.
On May 1, 1978, San Francisco Archbishop John R. Quinn appointed Father Richard Fry as pastor. The parish’s Silver Jubilee was celebrated on May 5, 1985 with Bishop Pierre DuMaine, the first Bishop of San Jose. (The diocese was inaugurated in 1981.)
In 1985, Queen of Apostles became a Marianist parish. Father Bertrand Clemens, SM, was appointed pastor and was installed on August 25. Father Jim Mifsud, SM was his parochial vicar with Brother Bob Wade, SM as facilities director.
When Father Clemens became ill, Father Joseph Stephanelli, SM was appointed pastor. Father Mifsud succeeded him as pastor in 1987.
In the following years the parish took on the tasks of renovating the church, which began in January of 1992.
Celebrating liturgy at Archbishop Mitty High School cafeteria and at Ascension Parish ended when the church was finished, and the community moved back on May 3, 1992. In 1998, the new rectory and community center were built.
Queen of Apostles became a diocesan parish in 2007. Father Mike Carson was appointed pastor and Father Noel Sanvicente as parochial vicar. In 2009, Deacon Brian McKenna was assigned to the parish.
“As Queen of Apostles celebrates 50 years as a parish, the people can be proud of the many accomplishments they have achieved as the people of God,” Father Carson said.
At the conclusion of the anniversary Mass, parishioners joined Bishop McGrath and Father Carson for the dedication, blessing and renaming of the community center in honor of Father Mifsud.
“Queen of Apostles Parish is committed to growing in discipleship and bringing the message of God’s love. They bring Jesus’ call to be his body in the world today, and to be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit as they are lead to build the kingdom of God here on earth,” Father Carson said.