Be Part of Our History!

 LET'S CELEBRATE TOGETHER!

For 125 years, God has blessed St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church with a beautiful history of faith, hope, and love. Generations of families have called our parish their spiritual home. Here, countless people have encountered Christ, received the sacraments, celebrated life's blessings, and found strength in times of difficulty. As we celebrate this historic milestone, we give thanks to God for our past, rejoice in our present, and look forward with hope to our future.

This is more than an anniversary. It is a celebration of our faith, our families, and our parish community!

 

125th Anniversary Events & Celebrations

 

 December 8, 2026: Solemn Opening Mass & Parish Potluck

Join us on Tuesday, December 8, 2026, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, as we officially begin celebrating 125 years of faith, hope, and love at St. Mary of the Annunciation!

Bilingual Mass: 6:00 PM
Parish Potluck: Immediately following Mass
Location: Family Life Center

Bring Your Favorite Dish to Share

What better way to celebrate than by gathering around the table as one big parish family! We invite everyone to bring a favorite dish, dessert, or beverage to share. Whether it's a treasured family recipe or something simple, your contribution will help make this celebration special!

To help us coordinate the potluck, please contact one of our coordinators:

English: Kathy Harman
    (510) 512-0689

Español: Cristina Azpeitia
    (209) 531-5836

Kathy and Cristina will be happy to help you:

  • -Coordinate what food, dessert, or beverages you would like to bring.
  • -Provide suggestions if you're unsure what to prepare.
  • -Let you know when and where to drop off your contribution.
  • -Find other ways to volunteer and help with the celebration.

All parishioners and families are welcome!

 

April 6, 2027:  Parish Feast Day Celebration

Join us as we celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord, our parish's patronal feast. As part of our 125th Anniversary, this celebration will be an opportunity to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary and give thanks for the many blessings God has bestowed upon our parish.

More details coming soon!

 

April 10, 2027: Oakdale City Parade

Let's celebrate 125 years of faith with our Oakdale community! Our parish will participate in the Oakdale City Parade as we joyfully share our history, faith, and gratitude with our neighbors.

Interested in participating?

More information about how to join our parish's participation in the parade will be available soon.

 

April 11–17, 2027: Marian & Cristero Pilgrimage to Mexico

Our Lady of Guadalupe & the Cristero Martyrs

Join Fr. Matthew O'Donnell and Fr. Saul Perez on an unforgettable seven-day spiritual journey through Mexico. Walk in the footsteps of the Cristero martyrs, visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and discover the extraordinary witness of faith that has shaped generations of Catholics.

Pilgrimage Highlights:

  • Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico City
  • Shrine of Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro
  • Historic Guanajuato
  • Cerro del Cubilete — Christ the King
  • Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan de los Lagos
  • Shrine of St. Toribio Romo
  • Sahuayo — St. José Sánchez del Río
  • Guadalajara Cathedral

 

Dates: April 11–17, 2027

Departure: San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

Cost: $2,795 per person (double occupancy)

Deposit: $450 per person

Package Includes:

  • -Round-trip airfare from San Francisco, arriving in Mexico City and departing from Guadalajara
  • -Six nights in 4-star hotels
  • -Daily breakfast and dinner
  • -Private motorcoach transportation
  • -Professional guides
  • -Daily Mass, prayer, and spiritual activities
  • -Entrance fees and guided visits

 

Travel insurance, lunches, checked baggage fees, and personal expenses are not included.

Ready to join us?

👉 [REGISTER FOR THE PILGRIMAGE]

👉 [ VIEW THE FULL ITINERARY ]

Registration and payments are handled directly through Canterbury Pilgrimages.

Space is limited. We encourage early registration!

 

September 13, 2027: 125th Anniversary Gala

An unforgettable evening celebrating 125 years of faith, history, and community! Join us for a special anniversary gala as we honor our parish's rich heritage and the generations of faithful who have helped build our beautiful community.

Event details, ticket information, and reservations will be announced soon.

👉 [GALA INFORMATION & TICKETS — COMING SOON]

 

October 2–3, 2027: 125th Anniversary Parish Festival

Our annual Parish Festival will be especially meaningful as we celebrate 125 years of faith and community! Bring your family and friends for a joyful weekend of fellowship, entertainment, food, and celebration.

Let's make this anniversary festival one to remember!

More information coming soon!

 

125th Anniversary Merchandise

Anniversary Merchandise:

  • -Commemorative T-Shirts
  • -Anniversary Caps
  • -Additional commemorative items may be announced throughout the anniversary year.

Order your anniversary merchandise and celebrate with us!

👉 [ORDER ANNIVERSARY MERCHANDISE]

 

Be Part of Our History!

Our parish's 125th Anniversary is not simply about remembering the past. It is about celebrating the faith we share today and passing that faith on to future generations. Throughout this special year, additional events, activities, and opportunities to participate will be announced.

Visit this page regularly for updates, registration information, and upcoming celebrations.

Together, let us thank God for 125 years of blessings and continue building a parish community rooted in faith, hope, and love.

 

 

History

In March 1874, Fr. William O’Connor celebrated the first Mass in Oakdale in the Oakdale Hotel.  Beginning in 1881, Fr. Patrick Welsh, pastor of St. Stanislaus in Modesto, began to celebrate Mass monthly here and in 1888, Fr. Thomas McGuire built a small church dedicated to St. Mary.  In 1902, San Francisco Archbishop, Patrick Riordan, formally declared St. Mary’s a parish with Fr. William Nevin assigned as the first resident pastor.  St. Mary’s was also entrusted with responsibility for the missions in La Grange and Eugene. 

Following a fire in 1951 which destroyed the church on Yosemite Ave., parishioners broke ground for the present church on Oak Ave. in 1952.  The building was designed as a traditional California mission revival building with Moorish influences.  Fr. Bryan O’Rourke was named pastor and entrusted with the task of raising funds for the new church, a school and a rectory.  He served as pastor from 1952 until his retirement in 1980, during which time he was named Monsignor. 

Fr. B. Joseph Mannion was named to succeed Monsignor O’Rourke as pastor and served for 16 years, retiring in 1996.  He was instrumental in building the shrine to Our Lady of Fatima on the parish grounds which provides a quiet place for parishioners and visitors to pray.  It was also during his tenure as pastor that parishioner Roberto Magdaleno was the first from St. Mary's to be ordained as a Permanent Deacon.    Fr. (later Monsignor) Aloys Conrad Gruber succeeded Fr. Mannion as pastor and served from 1996 until his retirement in December of 2011.  Father Richard Morse, an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales, came as Administrator in July of 2011 and was named pastor in February of 2012.