A Short History Immaculate Conception ParishSr. M. Rosina Vaughn was the “directress” (superior and prin-cipal). Sr. Rosina served in that capacity during the school’s first

Church of the Immaculate Conception 1909 – 2009 1

Immaculate Conception ParishSacramento, CaliforniaDiocese of Sacramento

By Deacon Gerald M. Pauly

A Short History

Interior of the church as it looked before the 1959 remodel.


Founding of the Parish

Bishop Thomas Grace established Immaculate Conception Parish effective December 8, 1909, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Bishop Grace chose Fr. William F. Ellis as the founding pastor.1 The parish was carved out of St. Francis Parish, and included all of Oak Park east of Thirtieth St. and south of Y St. as far as Tenth,2 and beyond Oak Park all the way to Elk Grove.3

The first Mass was celebrated in a small temporary chapel on Sunday, December 5, 1909. Among the parishioners were a num-ber of Mercy Sisters from Sisters’ Hospital. Fr. Ellis announced that he would take sick calls from the Sisters’ Hospital, where he had his temporary residence. Sunday school would be conducted by the Sisters of Mercy.4 Fr. Ellis had resided also with the James Coyle family, who had generously contributed to the development of the new parish.5

The parish’s early sacramental records show a diverse body of parishioners, many Irish but also Germans, Italians, Portuguese, and Croatians. The early marriage register shows most of the grooms to be in blue collar jobs. Most of the brides either did not work outside of their homes or were employed as retail clerks or office workers.6

The first temporary church.


Fr. William Ellis

Fr. William F. Ellis was a gifted young priest who was born in County Westmeath, Ireland in 1881.7 He attended St. Mel’s College and All Hallows Seminary near Dublin, and complet-ed his theological courses at the Irish College in Rome, where he was ordained in 1904. Shortly after his ordination, he came to the Sacramento diocese. He served in Eureka, Humboldt County, then a part of the Sacramento diocese, before he was appointed as the founding pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish.8

Early History of Parish

The church in which the first Mass was celebrated was “a modest structure that was build in double time, and at not very much expense” 9 and was located in what now is the parking lot next to the present church. The initial parish property consisted of three lots on the corner of what now are Broadway and 1st Avenue. Fr. William Ellis and his brother, Fr. John H. Ellis, also a priest of the diocese, personally purchased four more lots facing 1st Avenue.10 The parish had control of the half block that faced 1st Avenue, except for one lot on the corner of 33rd Street and 1st Avenue.

By 1913 the parish priest’s residence had been built. Fr. Ellis already had plans to add a parochial school. The parish al-ready had 500 families and the Altar Society, Holy Name So-ciety, and Children of Mary were established in the parish.11

As of early January 1915, nothing definite had been done toward planning the awaited permanent church. The press reported that a parish meeting was to be held on the subject of a new church.12 By the end of 1915 plans for the new church were well underway. Frank Shea was the architect. Barton and Hite were the contractors. The cornerstone was laid by Bishop Thomas Grace early in December.13 At the Mass that followed the laying of the cornerstone, the sermon was preached by .the pastor’s brother, Fr. John Ellis, who was then serving in Jackson, Amador County.


The present church at Immaculate Conception was dedicated on Sunday, May 6, 1916, by Bishop Grace. The festivities began with a 110 vehicle auto parade from 12th and K Streets, which included the bishop’s party and members of various Catholic and other organizations. Members of the City Commission and Board of Supervisors were present at the Mass. The bishop praised Fr. William Ellis and admitted that when he appointed Fr. Ellis, he did not believe the new pastor would be able to accomplish what had been done within a few years.14

Fr. William Ellis’ Legacy and Death

Fr. William Ellis was a dedicated and highly capable priest. He organized a new parish, starting with a small temporary church. The first Mass was attended by 15 people. Six years later the parish served several hundred members.15 He was farsighted: he personally, with his brother’s help, purchased property next to the church that would be needed within a few years. This property was eventually transferred to the diocese. He built a large rectory and a church that still serve the parish. He organized the parish in Elk Grove, which for a time was a mission of Immaculate Conception. He also served as an army chaplain at Mather Field during World War I. He had served as State Chaplain of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, was local chaplain of the Young Men’s Institute and Catholic Daughters of America, and was involved with the Knights of Columbus. The influenza epidemic of 1918 hit parishioners of Immaculate Conception and laid an extra burden of work on Fr. Ellis. From that time on his health gradually declined. He died at age 41, on September 6, 1922.16

Fr. John Ellis

Bishop Thomas Grace appointed Fr. John H. Ellis, older brother of Fr. William Ellis, to be the second pastor of Im-maculate Conception Parish.17 Fr. Ellis was born in County Westmeath, Ireland, in 1876. He completed his philosophical and theological studies at All Hallows Seminary, Dublin, and was ordained a priest in 1899. Fr. Ellis served in a number of assignments around the diocese before being appointed pas-tor of Immaculate Conception.18

Immaculate Conception School

During the tenure of Fr. John Ellis as pastor, the Catholic press noted much activity at the parish, but clearly his singular tan-gible contribution was the building of the school and convent and his success in obtaining the Holy Cross Sisters to staff the school. Until the Holy Cross Sisters arrived, Mercy Sisters taught the religious education classes for the parish’s children. By 1930, the church had bought the lot at 33rd St. and 1st Ave. where the convent later was built and the quarter-block on the corner of 33rd and Y Streets that was to be the location of the school.19

The Great Depression of 1929, which had an economic impact that lasted though most of the 1930s, did not deter Fr. Ellis and his parishioners from their vision of building a school to serve the families of the parish. Fr. Ellis and his flock had to be people with great faith in God’s power to overcome economic obstacles. Early in 1930, the press reported, “An intense drive is being made in Immaculate Conception parish, Sacramento, for funds for a new parish school which, it is expected, will be opened in the fall of this year.”20 A few months later, in May, Fr. Ellis announced that construction would begin immediately on the new school and convent.21 The parish held a festival, with dinner and entertainment, to raise funds for the school and convent construction.22

The cornerstone of the school was blessed by Bishop Robert J. Armstrong on Pentecost Sunday 1930. The trowel used for the ceremony was the same one used in 1915 for the laying of the cornerstone of Immaculate Conception Church. In the school cornerstone is a box containing a history of the parish. The cornerstone has on one side an inscription in honor of the Immaculate Conception and on the other an ancient mono-gram in honor of Christ the King. H. J. Devine was the archi-tect of the school and convent and H.W. Robertson was the contractor.23

The school was built for eight grades, but the first year began with first through sixth, with the seventh and eighth to be add-


ed in the two following years.24 The first day of school was September 2, 1930. The school was staffed by the Sisters of the Holy Cross, “one of the most renowned of the teaching orders of the Church. Sister Rosena (sic), formerly of Holy Cross academy (sic), Woodland, and a noted educator, is in charge.”25

During the first year, six Holy Cross Sisters served the school. Sr. M. Rosina Vaughn was the “directress” (superior and prin-cipal). Sr. Rosina served in that capacity during the school’s first six years. According to the sisters’ records the opening day enrollment was 130.26 The Register, the Catholic newspa-per, reported the enrollment at 150.27

The woman of the parish raised funds for the support of the school by operating a booth at the state fair. The Register re-ported, “The very best of results were obtained, both socially and financially, by the ladies who had charge of this year’s booth at the state fair. Visitors from throughout the whole West repaired to the booth for refreshments.” The same story also reported that the ladies were planning a weekend “ba-zaar.”28 The bazaar was intended to help pay off the debt on the school and convent.29 During the life of the parochial school at Immaculate Conception, the people of the parish were con-tinually engaged in various fund raising activities to help sup-port the school.

The Sisters of the Holy Cross at Immaculate Conception

The Holy Cross Sisters served the parish school for 45 years. Beginning in 1930, six to eight sisters served each year at Im-maculate Conception through the 1930’s. Through the 1940’s, when the number of students reached 300 and gradually in-creased to almost 400, eight to ten sisters were assigned to the parish each year. During the 1950’s when the school popula-tion was 400 or more – 50 students in each of the eight class-rooms – there usually were seven or eight sisters at the school. During the 1960’s, when the number of students dropped back into the mid-300s, five or six sisters were assigned to the school. During the sisters’ service in the first half of the 1970’s, there were five to seven sisters each year, though that dropped to four during the sisters final year at the parish, 1974-75.30

A total of 98 different Holy Cross Sisters served the school at one time or another. Many served only for a year or two, others for four, five, or six years. The longest serving were Sr. Josetta Shore, who served for 17 years total, and Sr. Corita Coady, who served 13 years. During the 45 years, 12 sisters served as principal of the school (directress, superior). The principals usually served three to six years in that capacity at Immaculate Conception.31

Because of the decline in the number of women religious who teach in elementary schools, many younger Catholics do not

Bishop Robert Armstrong blessing the school cornerstone, 1930.


appreciate the contribution the sisters made to the church and to Catholic families in the United States. During the 1930s, 40s, 50s, and 60s, many Catholic children received from the sisters a foundation in the faith and a good education. Many graduates of Immaculate Conception School received an edu-cation that equipped them to achieve an economic level far above that of their parents. The sisters donated their lives to the education of Catholic children. The children’s parents, for the most part, could not have afforded the cost of tuition in a private school. The sisters, who lived under a vow of poverty, made that education possible.

The Parish under Fr. John EllisFr. John Ellis served as pastor of Immaculate Conception for 11 years. During that time, the parish grew. By the 1930’s Sun-day Masses were celebrated at 6 am, 7 am, 8:30 am, and 10 am, with a High Mass sung at 11 am. In March 1930, two side altars were dedicated in the church by Bishop Robert J. Arm-strong. One altar was dedicated to St. Anne, the other to the Sacred Heart.32 In later remodeling, these side altars were re-moved and air conditioning equipment was installed in those areas. In the present church, these are the areas now occupied by the Immaculate Conception window and the shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Annually the Catholic newspaper noted that a novena to the Immaculate Conception was being held during the nine days that preceded the feast. This seems to have been something like a nine day parish mission (spiritual retreat). Each year the novena was conducted by a visiting priest from one of the re-ligious congregations that performed such ministry. In 1931, for example, a Paulist priest conducted the novena,33 while in

1932, the priest was a Dominican,34 and in 1933, a Redemp-torist.35

Fr. John H. Ellis died in October 1933. The Regis-ter reported, “Sacramento was shocked today by the sudden death of Rev. John H. Ellis . . . one of the best known and be-loved priests in the diocese . . .” Fr. Ellis, who was 57 years old at the time of his death, had been in failing health for some time. Like his brother before him, Fr. Ellis had been a zealous and beloved priest.36 The school was clearly the most tangible result of his years as pastor. But priests are not judged “zealous and beloved” because they build something to serve a parish. A shepherd is judged by the care he gives to his flock. Fr. John Ellis obviously had served his flock well

Msgr. Patrick J. O’Sullivan

Bishop Robert J. Armstrong appointed Fr. Patrick J. O’Sullivan as the third pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish.37 Fr. O’Sullivan was born in Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland, in 1884. He was educated in Dingle and studied for the priesthood at All Hallows College, Dublin. He was ordained in June 1909, and arrived in Sacramento that same year. He served in vari-ous parishes, including seven years, 1911-1918, as an assistant pastor at Immaculate Conception. He then served as pastor in four parishes prior to being appointed pastor of Immaculate Conception.38 Fr. O’Sullivan served as Immaculate Concep-tion’s pastor for 25 years, from 1933 to 1958. In September 1948 he was honored by being invested as a monsignor.39

The parish school was an important priority to Msgr. O’Sullivan. The school boasted that it had a cafeteria where


children could receive a hot lunch, a music program conduct-ed by one of the sisters, and bus service.40 School enrollment in 1935 was 213; by 1940 it was 325, an increase of 50%. By 1950 the school had almost 400 students, and it continued at that level up until the early 1960’s, when it began to decline slowly.41

Immaculate Conception had a summer school of religious ed-ucation. Students attended classes for three weeks. In 1944, 140 students attended the summer classes, and 38 were able to receive their first communion.42

Under Msgr. O’Sullivan’s pastorate many of the established ac-tivities of the parish continued. The parish continued to have an annual bazaar (festival) as a fund raiser.43 The novena to the Immaculate Conception, conducted by a visiting priest, still was held annually on the nine days leading up to the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8.44 Some new things were happening. The Catholic newspaper began report-ing on the Parochial Basketball League in which Immaculate Conception School had both a boys’ team and a girls’ team.45

The 1940s and 50s

The 1940s on the national and world scene were character-ized by World War II and its aftermath and all the changes that resulted from that conflict. The 1940’s also were a time of

change in Immaculate Conception Parish.

Our Mother of Perpetual Help: In December 1940, a Re-demptorist priest conducted the annual novena leading up the feast of the Immaculate Conception and introduced the par-ish to the devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help.46 From that time on while Msgr. O’Sullivan was pastor the Feast of the Immaculate Conception was preceded by a novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help conducted by a visiting priest.47 That devotion still is held every Tuesday in Immaculate Con-ception Church.

Addition of Parish Hall-Gym: The school as it was built in 1930 did not include the parish hall-gymnasium. The origi-nal temporary church had served as the parish hall, known as Holy Name Hall.48 Msgr. O’Sullivan corrected that deficiency by adding the hall. The new hall was dedicated on December 8, 1940.49 In September 1940, Immaculate Conception pa-rishioners had held a meeting to begin a drive to reduce the parish debt.50 The addition of the hall was another act of faith on the part of a pastor and his parishioners, since the country was just beginning to come out of the depression.

New Parishes and Schools: During the early 1940’s the parish lost considerable territory and parishioners due to the estab-lishment of new parishes. Holy Spirit Parish was established in 1940.51 Two more parishes were established in 1942, St. Rose of Lima and All Hallows.52 In 1948, both Holy Spirit and


All Hallows opened their own parish schools. The opening of the new schools had little impact on the enrollment in Im-maculate Conception, which had 370 students in 1945; 392, in 1950; and 403, in 1955.53

Baptisms: The number of baptisms administered at Immacu-late Conception grew while Msgr. O’Sullivan served as pastor. Early in his pastorate, in 1935, there were 132 baptisms. There were 179 in 1940, and the same number in 1945, the lack of growth perhaps being due to many young men being away performing military service. With the war over in 1945, bap-tisms increased to 253 in 1950 and 328 in 1955.54

Parish Organizations: Parish organizations are a critical part of parish life. The Catholic Herald regularly carried stories about the activities of the Mother’s Club, in particular the fund raising activities that helped to support the parish and school.55 Numerous stories in the Catholic Herald give the impression that the Mothers’ Club was the most active club in the parish, both in fund raising and in social activities, and that impression has been verified by parishioners who were adults in the 1940’s and 50’s.. The Holy Name Society had regular monthly breakfasts for the men of the parish, a tradition that has continued.56 The Altar Society has been an active organi-zation from the earliest years of the parish and continues to be so today.57 The parish had its own Boy Scout troop.58

Religion Classes for Public School Students: The parish pro-vided religious education classes for children who attend-ed public schools. In 1940 a parish bus traveled a set route through the parish every Saturday morning to transport stu-dents, age 6 to 16, to and from the religious education classes.59 In school year 1939-40, 192 students were enrolled.60 In 1944, the number remained about the same, with 188 students were enrolled in the classes.61 In 1955, the enrollment was 276.62 In the 1940’s and 50’s the parish also offered summer religion classes for public school students.63

Parochial School Sports: During the 1940’s parochial sports flourished. The Catholic newspaper regularly reported on the basketball, baseball, track and field, and swimming com-petitions among the local parish schools. The school had a football team, the “49ers,” that competed with other parochial schools.64

Catholic Youth Organization: During the 1950’s the Catholic newspaper regularly reported the activities of the CYO at Im-maculate Conception and other parishes. The diocesan CYO offered boys’ and girls’ basketball leagues.65 The diocesan CYO also sponsored an annual one-act play competition.66The CYO, which served teenagers, was divided into “freshman”

and “senior” groups. The parish CYO had its own programs such as communion breakfasts, annual Halloween parties, roller-skating parties, days of recollection, snow trips, “fun” nights, and an annual fashion show.67 The organization was overseen by a priest director and adult advisors.68

Msgr. O’Sullivan Retires: Msgr. O’Sullivan’s 25 years as pastor came to an end in August 1958, when he retired to become pastor emeritus, and Bishop Joseph McGucken assigned Msgr. Thomas A. Kirby to be the new pastor.69 Msgr. O’Sullivan continued to reside at the parish rectory. He died in January 1960.70

Msgr. Thomas A. Kirby

Msgr. Thomas Kirby was born in Tralee, Ireland, in 1905. He studied for the priesthood at St. Patrick’s Seminary, Thurles, and was ordained at St. Patrick’s Seminary, Maynooth, for service in the Diocese of Sacramento. In 1935 he began his first assignment, as an assistant pastor in Redding. He then served as assistant director of St. Patrick’s Home, Sacramento, and then as secretary to Bishop Armstrong and later Bishop McGucken. He also was director of the diocesan cemeteries. He became a monsignor in 1946. In 1951, he was appointed chancellor of the diocese. He was director in the Sacramento diocese of the successful 1952 ballot measure that exempted parochial schools from property taxation.71

The Church Remodeling

Msgr. Kirby is remembered at Immaculate Conception as the pastor who initiated a major remodeling of the interior of the church. In 1959, the sanctuary was completely remodeled. The new altar, side altars, communion rail, and walls were oak, finished in a light stain. A mosaic of Our Mother of Perpetu-al Help was installed above a side altar. The area behind the


main altar was finished in fine woodwork, which serves as a backdrop for a large crucifix. The large Immaculate Concep-tion stained glass window above the altar was covered over, en-cased in wall.72 In 1960, Msgr. Kirby added three new statues, Mary, St. Joseph, and the Sacred Heart.73 In 1961, the church for the first time had the comfort of air conditioning, with the installation of two slightly used units.74 In 1963, the pews were refinished in a light oak stain to match the sanctuary, and new Stations of the Cross and a new marble baptismal font were imported from Italy.75 Msgr. Kirby also initiated the purchase of six stained glass windows depicting various events involving Mary.76

Parish Ministry & Organizations

Msgr. Kirby also made pastoral changes in the parish. The annual novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help, prayed on the nine days prior to the Feast of the Immaculate Concep-tion, continued in 1959. In 1960, however, the novena was to the Immaculate Conception,77 as had been the practice prior to 1940. An outside priest still conducted the novena, as had been the custom from the beginning of the parish. After 1960, the novena continued to be to the Immaculate Conception.78 In Lent 1962, for the convenience of parishioners, Msgr. Kirby added a daily 5:30 pm Mass, in addition to the 6:30 and 8:00 am morning Masses.79

In May 1959, Msgr. Kirby initiated something entirely new to the parish. As the Catholic Herald put it, “Something new in the way of women’s groups have (sic) been established in Im-maculate Conception parish, 11 neighborhood guilds, which have as their purpose spiritual and social development. There will be no fund raising projects.” The guilds met monthly in the members’ homes.80

In December 1960, the parish celebrated its 50th anniversary, unaware that the celebration was a year late. The Catholic newspaper ran an informative article on the founding of the parish and its first pastor, Fr. William Ellis.81

In other respects the parish continued to function much as it had in the past. School enrollment during these years was at a peak, with over 400 students. The Mothers’ Club met regu-larly and conducted fund raising projects to help support the school. In 1960, the Mothers’ Club sponsored a polio inocula-tion clinic, polio at the time still being a dreaded disease.82 In 1962, the Mothers’ and the Fathers’ Clubs were merged into the Patrons’ Club.83 The parish sponsored an annual festival, which in 1961 became the “Fall Festival,” as a fund raiser and social event.84

The CYO continued to function at the parish and competed in sports, such as basketball, volleyball, and softball, and drama competitions with other Sacramento area parishes.85 The par-ish school participated in the Parochial Athletic League that sponsored basketball, volleyball, softball, and flag football completion among parish schools in the greater Sacramento area.86

The Freeways

During Msgr. Kirby’s tenure as pastor Immaculate Conception Parish suffered from some seriously damaging changes over which the pastor had no control: the construction of major freeways through the parish. The first, and most damaging, was Highway 99, that took out over 20 blocks of property, mostly homes, between 21st Avenue and Broadway. Many parishioners were displaced and moved to homes in other parishes. A worst impact was that the less affluent Oak Park neighborhood was effectively cut off from the more affluent Curtis Park and Sierra neighborhoods. Prior to the freeway, east-west streets flowed from one neighborhood to the next without any barriers. The freeway made Oak Park more of a ghetto, with only a few east-west streets connecting it to the area to the west. The Highway 99 Freeway opened to Broad-way in November 1961.87

After Highway 99 came Highways 80 and 50, which cut across the northern boundary of the parish, from 21st street to 51st Street, and included the huge “Oak Park Interchange,” which itself spread over another 25 to 30 blocks of what had been mostly residential property. Though beneficial in moving traf-fic, the freeways were very damaging to the parish and particu-larly to Oak Park.


Fr. Michael Fitzgerald

In September 1963, Bishop Alden J. Bell appointed Msgr. Kir-by pastor of St. Basil Parish, Vallejo, and Fr. Michael Fitzgerald as the fifth pastor of Immaculate Conception. Fr. Fitzgerald was born in Tralee, Ireland, in 1903. He was ordained at St. Patrick Seminary, Carlow, in 1930. During the early years of his priesthood, he had served as an assistant pastor at Immacu-late Conception. He then served as pastor of several other par-ishes before returning to Immaculate Conception.88

Fr. Fitzgerald inherited the church remodeling initiated by Msgr. Kirby. Msgr. Kirby began the purchase of Immaculate Conception’s beautiful stained glass windows, but Fr. Fitzger-ald approved the final selection and it was he who insisted on bright colored glass.89 New Stations of the Cross, created by Eugenio Pattarino, were imported from Italy.90

In 1965, a front porch was added to the church, designed by architect Harry J. Devine and constructed by the Unger Con-struction. Before the porch was built, the front steps led di-rectly from the front doors down to the sidewalk. At the same time the ramp was added to the side entrance, an enhancement that came decades before the law required such improvements to provide access to handicapped people.91

Under Fr. Fitzgerald, the parish continued to have the same organizations, activities, and fund-raising as in the past, with a few exceptions. The Catholic Herald no longer had notices of the “guild” meetings established by Msgr. Kirby. They seem to have died out after their founder was sent to a new assignment. Another change was a foretaste of things to come: the parish festival, in 1963, for the first time, advertised Mexican food.92 School enrollment began to decline: by 1965 it was 340 (a

more manageable number for eight classrooms) instead of 400 or more.93 Baptisms, which had been in the 200s and 300s in the 1950s, were 132 in 1965.94 The religious education pro-gram for public school students enrolled 284 in 1964.95

In Lent 1965, Fr. Fitzgerald instituted something new for the parish: a parish mission of two weeks, the first week being for women and high school girls, and the second for men and high school boys. The mission was preached by two Redemptorist priests.

In 1965, the parish celebrated the 50th anniversary of the lay-ing of the cornerstone of the parish church. The Catholic Her-ald ran a story that included information about the building of the church, such as that the property on which the church was built was donated by Mr. & Mrs. J.D. Coyle, and that the property had previously been a Chinese laundry.96

At the same time the Herald ran a story on the church organist, Mae Williams. Miss Williams had been hired initially by the parish’s first pastor, Fr. William Ellis, in late 1915 or early 1916, and played the organ at Immaculate Conception ever since. The story related that Mrs. J.D. Coyle had recommended Miss Williams to Fr. Ellis.97 Miss Williams was known to Fr. Ellis since at least early 1915, when she played at a parish fund raiser at which Fr. Ellis spoke of his recent trip to Europe.98

Fr. Fitzgerald died unexpectedly in January 1968, while on vacation in Southern California with two priest friends. Fr. Ignatius Haran, then in residence at Immaculate Conception, was appointed by Bishop Bell to be administrator pro-tem. Fr. Haran served in that capacity for seven months, until August 1968, when Fr. Leo McAllister was appointed as pastor of Im-maculate Conception Parish.


Fr. Leo McAllister

Fr. Leo McAllister was born in 1929, in County Sligo, Ireland. He was ordained at St. John Seminary, Waterford, in 1954. He had served at Immaculate Conception as an assistant pas-tor from 1955 to 1957. He had been diocesan director of the CYO since 1953.99

During Fr. McAllister’s tenure many significant things hap-pened in the parish. Fr. McAllister formed a parish council. (This resulted in parish council meeting minutes, which, dur-ing his pastorate, became the principal source of information about the parish.) Mexican-Americans became an increasing presence in the parish. The Holy Cross Sisters withdrew from the school. A small food locker started in the parish. A se-nior citizens group started. The liturgical changes of Vatican II were being implemented.

Parish Council: When the parish council started is not clear. The first minutes are of the meeting of November 2, 1969, but those minutes refer to the minutes of the meeting of Septem-ber 29, 1969, of which there is no copy. From late 1969 on the parish council played an important role advising Fr. McAllis-ter on matters pertaining to the parish.100 The council began with representatives of parish organizations and parish staff. Beginning in 1971, the organization representatives, over a three year period, were replaced by members elected directly by the parishioners.101 A reading of the minutes of the council meetings makes clear that many parishioners took seriously their responsibilities to assist the pastor in developing pro-grams and dealing with issues affecting the parish.

Immaculate Conception was Fr; McAllister’s first pastorate.

But he grew up in a church and served as a priest in a church in which the pastor made all the decisions. Prior to parish coun-cils, wise pastors when making important decisions likely con-sulted key parish members, but that was advice sought “when needed.” With the advent of parish councils, pastors were sub-ject to receiving advice that they really did not desire. This was significant change in the governance of the Catholic Church. Fr. Leo McAllister handled the change very well. He was a man with self confidence. 102

Hispanics: In its earlier years Immaculate Conception had few Hispanics. Hispanics in Sacramento tended to live in the downtown area, served by the Cathedral. By late 1960’s more Hispanics – mainly Mexican-Americans – began attending Immaculate Conception. The parish council recognized the need to serve Spanish-speaking people. A small committee of Hispanics chose two representatives to serve on the parish council. Beginning with school year 1971-72, a Holy Cross Sister who was Mexican-American began teaching part-time and working with the Spanish-speaking the rest of her time. This was the parish’s first organized ministry to Hispanics. Even at that early date one-third of the parish school’s 212 stu-dents were Hispanic. 103

In 1973 a Guadalupana Society was formed, and it chose rep-resentatives to serve on the parish council.104 One hundred people attended Mass on the Feast of Our Lady of Guada-lupe.105 Mexican-Americans parishioners hoped to have the 1974 Holy Week services in Spanish, but that was not pos-sible because no Spanish-speaking priest was available.106 In spring 1974 a Mexican festival, sponsored by the Guadalupa-na Society, was held to raise funds for the parish. The festival made about $3,000.107 The following year the festival made $4,000.108 Fr. McAllister started a Mass in Spanish. He pre-sided, reciting the Mass prayers in Spanish, though he did not speak the language. Lay parishioners read the scriptures and preached.109

Parish School: In November 1969, Fr. McAllister brought to the parish council the question of dropping two grades from the parish school. This was because the Holy Cross Sisters had given notice that in 1970-71, there would be five sisters assigned to the school, rather than six. Fr. McAllister wanted to assign one of the remaining sisters to be in charge of CCD (religion classes for public school children). The council, af-ter discussing the matter, voted to recommend that the school continue to have eight grades. A few months later the council agreed to drop the seventh and eighth grades, though the cur-rent year seventh graders would continue at the parish school


to graduate in 1971. The present sixth graders would have the option of attending St Francis Elementary School, with the parish subsidizing their tuition. After 1970-71, Immaculate Conception would be a first through sixth grade school. The arrangement with St. Francis did not turn out well. Immac-ulate Conception parents were not satisfied with St. Francis School. In July 1972 the parish council recommended that the parish no longer subsidize Immaculate Conception students at St. Francis. Representatives of Immaculate Conception met with the St. Francis pastor regarding the parents’ complaints.110

Ultimately Immaculate Conception School reinstated the sev-enth and eighth grades. The school enrollment had dropped to 153 (from 330 in 1970) and the lack of a seventh and eighth grades was deemed to be one of the reasons. Families pre-ferred to send their children to a school with eight grades.111

In April 1974 the parish received a great blow. The Holy Cross Sisters would withdraw from Immaculate Conception School at the end of the 1974-75 school year. The Holy Cross Sisters, like most religious communities, were experiencing a drop in vocations. Also, one of the sisters as early as 1971 had advised the parish council that sisters were being given a choice of ministries, so the parish should plan for the future. Fr. McAl-lister at that time expressed his desire to have a parish school but said that the parochial school system as we have known it may not be able to continue.112

The Holy Cross Sisters served in the school through 1974-75. The next year the school employed a Franciscan Sister113 and several Maryknoll Sisters who had been displaced from their missionary work due to armed conflict. The Franciscan Sis-ter remained as principal through 1980-81, which was a great benefit to the school as it tried to recover from the loss of the Holy Cross Sisters.

Food Locker: In 1973 a member of the parish council suggest-ed establishing a food locker in the basement of the church.114 By early 1974 the food locker was functioning. Food was given to 917 people in less than three months.115 Ten parish-ioners volunteered to work in the food locker. People request-ing food came to a door at ground level. The bags of groceries were carried up the stairs by the volunteers. Some support for the food locker was coming from nearby parishes and fund raisers.116 By fall 1974 the food locker was experiencing in-creased requests for food.117

Senior Citizens: The Senior Citizens Group had its first meet-ing in November 1972.118 It started as a social organization for people 60 and above. From the beginning the meetings were well attended.119

Liturgical Changes: Many of the Vatican II liturgical changes were being implemented during Fr. McAllister’s term as pas-tor. In 1970 the parish bought new missalettes due to liturgical changes.120 The parish liturgy committee recommended that the altar be moved forward so the priest would be closer to the people.121 The weekend Mass schedule was changed to elimi-nate the Sunday early morning Mass; the earliest Sunday Mass was now 8:00 am.122 The liturgy committee also recommended that the communion rail be removed and that the organ con-sole be moved from the choir loft to the front of the church; however, these changes were not made for many years.123 The bishop authorized the parish to have lay men as extraordinary ministers of the eucharist to distribute communion at Mass.124

Other Parish Organizations and Ministries: The above gives emphasis to changes that occurred during Fr. McAllister’s term as pastor. During this time the other parish organiza-tions, such as the Holy Name Society, Altar Society, and Pa-trons’ Club continued to serve as they had in the past. The church and the school depended heavily on their services and fundraising. The CCD continued to provide for the religious education of public school students.

In late 1975 Fr. McAllister announced that he was leaving to become the pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Elk Grove.125 The new pastor arrived in January, Fr. Daniel Madigan.126

Fr. Daniel Madigan

Fr. Daniel Madigan was born in County Limerick, Ireland, in 1938. He attended St. Kieran’s Seminary, Kilkenny. After ordi-nation, he served in Limerick, and then came to Sacramento in 1966. His first assignment was as assistant pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Del Paso Heights. In 1972 he was assigned to Sacred Heart Parish, Sacramento, a transfer that moved him


from one of the poorest parts of town to one of the most afflu-ent. While at Sacred Heart Fr. Madigan attended nearby Cali-fornia State University Sacramento, and obtained a masters degree in social work. Fr. Madigan asked for the assignment at Immaculate Conception when he learned that Fr. McAllister would be leaving.127

Fr. Madigan had a major impact on the parish. He found a small but active food locker and gradually transformed it into a major operation. He found a senior citizens group and began recruiting its members to serve wherever they could to help people with various kinds of needs. He envisioned the parish school as place where children from the neighborhood – re-

gardless of religion – could receive a good education in a safe environment.

Food Locker: The food locker operated out of the church basement of the church. People seeking food came to a door at ground level. The food was brought up stairs by volunteers and given to those seeking help. Fr. Madigan saw that the po-tential for the food locker was great. He recognized quickly that a board of directors would be needed to guide the food locker’s development – long before the food locker had its own board.128 As time went on the requests for food increased significantly.129 Fr. Madigan recruited volunteers from other parishes and other denominations. The food locker was open five hours a day, Monday through Friday. By 1981 it was serv-ing 30,000 people a year.130 Additional refrigerators and freez-ers were obtained for food storage.131 Next came a walk-in freezer.132

Soup Kitchen: The food locker served only people with fa-cilities to prepare food. Because of concern about people in need who did not have facilities to prepare food, Fr. Madigan proposed that the parish open a soup kitchen that would serve prepared meals.133 In March 1983, 60 volunteers served a hot meal to over 160 people. A room in the parish auditorium was converted to a new kitchen.134 Soon a hot sit-down meal was being served in the auditorium every Sunday, with volunteers from Immaculate Conception, Sacred Heart, and the Chapel at Mather AFB.135

In October 1984, Fr. Madigan informed the parish council that the food locker would serve 100,000 that year and the “soup kitchen” would serve 20,000.136

Ellis Seniors Residence: The parish convent was not being fully used. Fr. Madigan proposed that the parish convert it to a low-cost residence for seniors. He solicited funds and vol-unteers and thoroughly remodeled the building to provide private rooms with adjoining baths for up to 19 seniors. It opened in November 1978. A magazine article, New Life for an Old Cloister, later reported that seven men and six women, including a retired Benedictine sister who coordinated the parish CCD program, were living in the residence.137 Because the residence maintained very low fees for room and board, including three meals a day, its financial health depended on having enough residents. At times the income was inadequate, at other times ample, depending on the number of residents.138 Fr. Madigan chose the name “Ellis” to honor the first two pas-tors of Immaculate Conception, Frs. William and John Ellis.

Parish School: In 1975-76, the school had 172 students.139


As the number lay teachers in the school increased, salary expenses went up. Expenses were $65,000 in 1974-75, with $82,000 expected for 1975-76. The parish council was reluc-tant to raise tuition out of concern that many families could not afford to pay more. In 1974-75 the church had made up a $17,000 school deficit. This was to be a perennial issue. School costs kept going up, but the parish council judged that many families could not afford to pay the full cost of educating children, so the parish sought other means to raise money.140 The Holy Name Society in particular provided a heavy subsidy to the school through its weekly bingo operation. In the 10 years ending in 1983, the Holy Name had contributed an esti-mated $250,000 to the support of the school. Some long-time parishioners say that during the 40 years that bingo operated, beginning in the late 1950s, the Holy Name Society contrib-uted $1 million to the school. 141 In addition the annual fall fes-tival income was given to the school,142 and the Patrons’ Club held regular fundraisers for the school. School enrollment remained healthy, 245 to 287 through most of the 1980’s.143

Immaculate Conception School presented the dilemma the Catholic Church still faces: how to provide Catholic school formation to children in poor neighborhoods. In 1983 a mem-ber of the parish council noted that Immaculate Conception School was serving many children who were not members of the parish, because it was a parish school that opened its arms to poor children.144 The next year the principal reported that the school was 91% minority.145 Though the school finances were a constant concern, Fr. Madigan was firm supporter of opening the school to children from needy families.

Domiciliary Care: Fr. Madigan organized what he called a “Domiciliary Care Group,” people, mainly women, to visit the shut-ins in the parish. He recruited many volunteers. They were given training. Soon many were visiting shut-ins on a regular basis, usually once a week, but at least once a month.146

Charismatic Prayer Group: In 1985 a charismatic prayer group started in the parish. Fr. Madigan did not initiate the group, but he immediately gave it his blessing, and the prayer group has continued to function at Immaculate Conception for the past 24 years.

Senior Citizens: The Senior Citizens Group was well estab-lished at the parish. The seniors met regularly, took bus trips to places of interest, and engaged in arts and crafts projects that were sold at the parish festival.147 Fr. Madigan made a great contribution to the seniors. He challenged them to get active in doing things to benefit others. He had plenty for them to do. Many of the seniors became the core volunteers

who faithfully gave their time to the food locker, the Domicili-ary Care Group, the establishment of Ellis Seniors Residence, and other services organized by Fr. Madigan.148

Immaculate Conception Community Services: As the variety of services to people in need expanded, they eventually were grouped together under the name, “Immaculate Conception Community Services.” These were the services:

• Oak Park Food Locker – grew to where 200 volunteers were distributing three-quarters of a million meals per year.

• Oak Park Soup Kitchen – served a hot meal every Sun-day to about 500 people a week.

• Wayfarer Program – the parish obtained use of a home to provide emergency shelter.

• The Seniors Club – had expanded to over 200 members who, along with other activities, gave generously of their time to all the activities being carried on by the parish.

• Ellis Seniors Residence – provided a private room and three prepared meals a day to residents, with a very low monthly fee.

• Domiciliary Care – volunteers, varying in number from 20 to 30, visited shut-ins in 60 homes and in rest homes and hospitals.

• Extension Program – to meet the needs of working par-ents the parish established a before- and after-school ex-tended day program.

• Parish School – which accepted students of all religious backgrounds and provided tuition assistance to needy families.

Some of these operations grew so large and involved so many volunteers that they outgrew the parish grounds. Immaculate Conception Community Services helped St. Anne Parish be-gin a food locker149 and developed a branch food locker in Del Paso Heights, to be staffed by volunteers from St. Ignatius Par-ish.150 Eventually Fr. Madigan, with much help from people who generously donated their time and money, was able to obtain a large facility to carry on the good work that started at Immaculate Conception. This became the headquarters and primary service center of what now is Sacramento Food Bank Services, a multi-million dollar charitable organization that operates under the Diocese of Sacramento.

In 1989, when the small semi-rural parish, St. Joseph, Clarks-burg, needed a new pastor, Fr. Madigan requested that assign-ment, which would give him more time to serve Sacramento


Food Bank Services. Fr. Madigan had served as Immaculate Conception’s pastor for almost 14 years. In October 1989, the new pastor arrived, Fr. James Sheets.

Fr. James Sheets

Fr. James Sheets was born in Sacramento, in 1949. He stud-ied at St. Patrick Seminary, Menlo Park, CA, and was ordained in 1975. He was a pastor in other parishes before coming to Immaculate Conception.151 Fr. Sheets was the first Immacu-late Conception pastor who spoke Spanish, an ability much needed in the parish.

U.S. Census data show an increasing Hispanic population within the boundaries of the parish. In 1980, there were 3,733 people in the parish who identified themselves as Hispanic. In 1990, shortly after Fr. Sheets arrived, the census showed 5,110 Hispanics, an increase of 1,377 in 10 years. The trend continued: in 2000, the Hispanic population was 5,906 a fur-ther increase of 796.152 The parish needed a pastor who was bi-lingual in Spanish and English.

Fr. Sheets employed a religious, a sister of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to serve as a pastoral associate in the parish. Her position covered a wide range of duties, from vis-iting parishioners in their homes, to overseeing the religious education program for public school students. Her responsi-bilities covered some things assistant pastors used to do, when there were more priests, and some things that religious sisters had done for years. The sister served in the parish during most of Fr. Sheet’s tenure as pastor.153

Pastoral Planning: Fr. Sheets wanted parishioners to par-ticipate in planning for the future of the parish. He initially formed a “vision committee,” a pastoral planning committee to create a vision of what they wanted the parish to look like

in five or ten years.154 Over the course of the next few years he invited people experienced in pastoral planning to meet with the committee, which became the “pastoral planning commit-tee.” 155 The pastoral planning committee and other groups of parishioners, such as the liturgy committee, participated in making virtually all important decisions affecting the parish.

Ellis Seniors Residence: Fr. Sheets invited Mercy Healthcare to do an assessment of the physical facilities of the Ellis Se-niors Residence. The report estimated that to upgrade the Ellis facilities to an acceptable level would cost $60,000,156 and that did not include the cost of an elevator that likely was needed by some of the residents. Ellis needed 12 residents just to break even. There was no money for long range improve-ments. Ultimately the Ellis Board, a separate parish organi-zation, decided that the facility should be closed, which oc-curred in late 1991. Homes were found for all the residents.157 Following an assessment by a parish committee, some of the Ellis facility, after remodeling, was converted into offices for the church and school. This left the rectory as a residence for priests.158

The School: The school’s financial problems continued as usual. In late 1992, Fr. Sheets had to give the school $12,000, to pay bills. He estimated that by the end of the budget year the parish might have to give the school up to $50,000. The parish did not have saving to continue that level of subsidy to the school. He called a “town hall” meeting of parishioners to address the issue. The letter said that we must either raise par-ish income or close the school. On top of the school expense, the church already had spent that year a substantial amount for needed school and church repairs and repaving of the play-ground.159 The annual offertory collection, which had been less than $115,000 in 1991-92, increased to almost $124,000 in 1992-93, though that not enough to solve the school fund-ing problem.

The Church: The parish was able to proceed with a remodel-ing of the church, to bring it more in line with the liturgical changes that had been implemented during the two preceding decades. The most noticeable changes were that the altar was moved closer to the people, the communion rail in front of the altar was removed, and the organ console was moved from the choir loft to the front of the church, which was now where the choir was located.160

Young Adult Group: A young adult group was formed. In early 1992, there were 20 members, though the weekly meet-ings were attended by an about eight. 161 The group eventually ceased to function as the members moved on with their lives.


Former members have acknowledged that the group was help-ful to them at that point in their lives.

Youth Group: The youth group had ceased to exist. A parish-ioner recommended asking for a “Jesuit Volunteer,” to serve as a youth minister in the parish. The parish, in 1994, got a Jesuit Volunteer, a woman who had just graduated from Holy Cross University in Massachusetts, who did develop an active youth group. Not surprisingly, the youth group was almost entirely Hispanic.162 The youth minister became a member of the pas-toral planning council.

Community Building & Evangelization: The parish pastoral planning council, as it was now called, in 1994, decided that the parish needed to address community building and evan-gelization as priorities. Specific ideas were to form a hospi-tality committee, recruit more liturgical ministers, get more people to bring communion to the home-bound, have a coffee social after the Sunday Mass, and to foster more activities in which Spanish- and English-speaking parishioners both could participate. On the latter point, Fr. Sheets suggested that the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, be celebrated with a bilingual Mass, and that has been the prac-tice in the parish since then.163 The Mass, held on a weekday evening, was attended by 140 people, and it was followed by a potluck dinner.164 Later the council decided to plan a pic-nic, in a city park, as another activity in which Spanish- and English-speaking both could participate. The picnic, held in East Portal Park in June 1995, was successful in bringing 150 English- and Spanish-speaking parishioners together.165

Fr. Sheets left the parish at the end of August 1995, to become the Catholic chaplain at Sutter Hospitals. In announcing his departure, Fr. Sheets said that his most difficult decision in the six years he served as pastor was to close the soup kitchen that had served a hot meal every Sunday in the parish auditorium. Fr. Sheets parting advice to the pastoral planning council was to avoid getting involved in the “nuts and bolts” and to decide by consensus.166

Fr. Mark Mosher

The new pastor was Fr. Mark Mosher. Fr. Mosher was born in San Mateo, CA, in 1955. He studied at St. Patrick Seminary, Menlo Park, CA, and was ordained in 1988. He had served as a parochial administrator in other parishes before coming to Immaculate Conception. 167

Fr. Mosher continued the existing pastoral planning council, so the planning that had begun was not interrupted. The em-phasis on community building and hospitality continued. Co-chairs were appointed for the welcoming committee, one for the Masses in English the other for the Spanish Mass. Guide-lines were developed for the greeting ministry.168

Youth Group: The Jesuit Volunteer who re-started a youth group at the parish completed her year of service. She recom-mended that the new youth minister be fluent in Spanish. A bi-lingual couple active in the Spanish Mass volunteered.169 They guided the youth group for a number of years, eventually turning the adult guidance over to other bi-lingual parishioners. The youth group has continued and is flourishing. Most of the members are bilingual and meetings are mainly in English.

School: The school was continuing to have problems. The student count dropped from 186 in 1995, to 118 in 1996, and then to 82 in 1997.170 With fewer students, the school funding problems increased. The school continued to drain resources from the parish.171 The diocese provided financial assistance and arranged with the Christian Brothers to provide an ex-perienced educator to be principal. A Christian Brother was principal in 1998-99.172 Diocesan and Christian Brother of-ficials tried to negotiate an arrangement to continue the school under the administration of the Christian Brothers, but that did not work out, so the Christian Brother principal left at the end of the school year. During the year he was principal the


school enrollment increased to 134, and there was hope that this was the beginning of a trend. That year the diocese gave the school $173,000.

Rectory: Fr. Mosher encouraged some other priests to live in the large rectory, where he was the sole occupant. After seeing the interior condition of the building, all of them declined to live there. Fr. Mosher undertook a gradual refurbishing and restoration of the rectory. The project continued on during most of his pastorate. The end result was a rectory that was far more appealing inside.

Black Catholics: In the 1980s a local group of the St. Martin de Porres Society began meeting at Immaculate Conception. During and after World War II a number of Black Catholic families moved into the parish. Though Blacks were not a great proportion of the parishioners, many were very active in the parish and led parish and school organizations. The St. Martin de Porres Society eventually faded out in the mid-1990s as many of its members aged. Black parishioners how-ever continued to be active in the parish. Later, in the early 2000s, another Black Catholic organization, the Knights of Peter Claver, and particularly its Ladies Auxiliary, met at Im-maculate Conception for a number of years and actively sup-ported the parish.

A Period of Changes and a New Administrative Arrangement

Fr. Mosher left Immaculate Conception in August 2000. He was replaced by Fr. Enrique Perez who was then serving in an-other parish in the diocese. Fr. Perez was appointed as paro-chial administrator. He was an Oratorian priest. He was born in Columbia. He was the first priest to head the parish who was born in a Spanish-speaking country.173

Fr. Perez remained as parochial administrator until July 2001, when another Columbian, Fr. Ricardo Giraldo, who was resid-ing at Immaculate Conception, was appointed half-time pa-rochial administrator and I, the author, was appointed parish steward, responsible for the day-to-day administration of the parish.174 The basic concept was that the priest was respon-sible for the eucharist and sacramental life of the parish and the parish steward was responsible for the finances, property, and supervision of employees. This concept can work effec-tively only with close collaboration between the priest and the parish steward. A parish steward was appointed because all the priests living at Immaculate Conception had other respon-sibilities and did not have the time to administer the parish on a daily basis.

Fr. Giraldo was a member of a community of diocesan priests in Columbia whose ministry was dedicated to the charismatic renewal. He was invited to the Sacramento diocese to be a di-ocesan pastoral guide to the Spanish-speaking renewal groups. While he was at Immaculate Conception a Spanish-speaking charismatic prayer group started in the parish and the Spanish-speaking Marriage Encounter began meeting here. Fr. Giraldo also oriented the parish youth group in a charismatic direc-tion. Many of the parishes’ Spanish-speaking parishioners ac-knowledge that Fr. Giraldo’s ministry helped to activate their faith life.

Fr. Giraldo returned to Columbia in 2003. Fr. Roberto Jara-millo, another Columbian, was appointed half-time parochial vicar to serve the Spanish-speaking. Fr. William Feeser, Cath-olic chaplain at UCD Medical Center, presided at Masses in English. Fr. Jaramillo served until 2005, when he moved to another diocese. He was replaced by Fr. Braulio Valencia, who then in turn transferred to another diocese. In 2006, Fr. San-tiago Raudes began serving the Spanish-speaking community on a very part time basis, and Fr. Patrick Lee began residing at Immaculate Conception while ministering part-time at UCD Medical Center. Fr. Raudes, a native of Nicaragua, had been a parishioner at Immaculate Conception for many years before he entered the seminary. In early 2008, Fr. Raudes was allowed more time to serve the Spanish-speaking, though still only two days a week.175

Diocesan Campaign: The diocese in 2002 conducted the “Di-ocesan Campaign” to raise funds to renovate and strengthen the cathedral and for other worthy purposes. Immaculate Conception Parish was assigned a goal of $190,000 in pledges. A dedicated committee of parishioners ultimately got pledges of $269,000, 42% above the goal. The parish received back 25% of the paid pledges. The parish share was used to pay for a new air conditioning and heating system in the church, to re-place the 1916 steam boiler and the old air conditioning units that no longer functioned.176

Parishioner Survey: The parish participated in the 2002 di-ocesan-wide survey of parishioners’ views, both English and Spanish, on a multitude of pastoral questions about their par-ish. The results were analyzed were the subject of much con-sideration by the parish council. The results were presented to parishioners in segments over a period of six weeks. Later there were parishioner assemblies in the parish auditorium and priorities were developed by the parish council.

Diocesan Synod: Immaculate Conception participated in the historic Diocesan Synod in 2004. The Synod seemed to be in part a follow up to the results of the earlier parishioner survey.


Significantly, the two official parish representatives were bi-lingual Hispanics, one who attended Mass in English and the other Mass in Spanish. Since the Synod itself was concluded, the Immaculate Conception Parish Pastoral Council has spent much time addressing issues that arose out of the Synod.

Sisters Catechists of Jesus Crucified: The Sisters Catechists of Jesus Crucified are a relatively new religious community from Guadalajara, Mexico. With the help of Bishop Weigand, the parish was able to obtain the services of a Sister Catechist to minister to Spanish-speaking parishioners. A sister arrived in the parish in 2002. Her ministry consisted of visiting Spanish-speaking families, forming catechists, teaching the parents of children attending religious education classes, and provid-ing pastoral assistance to the Spanish-speaking groups in the parish. The sister served in the parish until 2006, when her community replaced her with another sister. Both these sisters have performed marvelous work in the parish.

School Closure: In November 2002, the diocese announced that it would no longer be able to subsidize Immaculate Con-ception School. In the preceding five years the diocese had given the school over $1,400,000, in an effort to give it an op-portunity to increase its enrollment and become self-support-ing. The enrollment increased somewhat, but mainly due to the at-risk children that the diocese asked the school to accept. In November 2002 diocesan and parish representatives met with school staff and parents to inform them of the decision, which effectively meant that the school would have to close.

The parents were very upset and tried, with the assistance of some alumni, to develop a plan that would keep the school go-ing. Eventually it became apparent to all that the school would have to close. Many parishioners were devastated by the clo-

sure of the school. Too many parish families with school age children could not afford the tuition in a parochial school, though Immaculate Conception had the lowest tuition in the diocese. The school closed in June 2003, after serving the par-ish for 72 years. Many had given their time and money over the years to help keep the school open. That generosity had benefited Immaculate Conception’s students and will not be lost just because the school closed.

Charter School at Immaculate Conception: The parish coun-cil supported leasing the facilities to Aspire Public Schools, a non-profit organization with the mission of providing a good education to children in economically depressed neighbor-hoods. A joint-use lease was negotiated, which allowed the parish to use the school facilities for religious education class-es and other activities during non-school hours.177 The char-ter school adopted the name, “Capitol Heights Academy.” The school has earned an excellent reputation over the six years it has operated. It began as K-8, but now is K-5.

Church: In 2004, the stained glass window that was above the altar in the church as it was originally built was returned to the church, though not in the same location. The 1959 remodel-ing had covered over the window with wood paneling. Later Fr. Madigan had the window removed and used it in a parish meeting room and then in a small museum. Many parishio-ners wanted the window back in the church. It was installed in one of the old side altar areas that had held air conditioning equipment. The family of the original donors, Mr. & Mrs. J. D. Coyle, came to the dedication ceremony. At the same time a shrine for Our Lady of Guadalupe was installed in the oppo-site side altar area.178


The Parish TodayImmaculate Conception Parish serves an active church com-munity. The parish is not large, perhaps four or five square miles. Almost 500 attend the Sunday Mass in Spanish. A little less than 300 attend the two Masses in English, and many of them are of Hispanic ancestry.

The parish has groups meeting in both English and in Spanish. The Spanish-speaking Marriage Encounter in the Sacramento area meets at Immaculate Conception, and many of its mem-bers are active in the parish. A strong Spanish-speaking char-ismatic prayer group meets weekly and its members are very active in serving the parish. There is also a smaller English-speaking charismatic group. A weekly scripture study group serves the English-speaking. The Altar Society and the Holy Name Society, which have existed from the beginning of the parish, are still active and meet monthly. A Senior Citizens groups meets monthly and has periodic bus trips to places of interest. An active St. Vincent de Paul Society serves people in need. A Celebrate Recovery group meets weekly to help people break the chains of addiction and negative behavior through the healing power of Jesus.

The parish’s religious education classes serve about 170 stu-dents, mainly Hispanic. Classes are conducted in both lan-guages. The parish offers an excellent class – in Spanish, since most of the parents speak Spanish – for parents of children who attend the religious education classes. The Sister Cat-echist teaches the class. The class has produced fruit in the

“…the parish remains alive. A parish exists to serve the spiritual and corporal needs of its parishioners. That is what Immaculate Conception has done and still is doing in English and in Spanish.”

spiritual lives of many parents. The parish also has a very good formation program for catechists, also taught by the Sister Cat-echist.

The parish pastoral council has functioned for 40 years. The council has been used an active advisory body by every pas-tor during that time. Because of emphasis by the diocese, the council’s role has been growing. In recent years Hispanic pa-rishioners have chaired the council.

The parish has an excellent RCIA that prepares adults to become Catholics or to receive first communion and con-firmation. Many parishioners attend the classes to become acquainted with and to support those who attend to receive sacraments, as well as to learn more about the faith.

The neighborhood and the ethnicity of parishioners have changed over the years, but the parish remains alive. A parish exists to serve the spiritual and corporal needs of its parishio-ners. That is what Immaculate Conception has done and still is doing in English and in Spanish.


Endnotes1 A History of Sacramento County; William L. Willis; Historic Record

Company, Los Angeles, 1913

2 The Sacramento Bee, December 6, 1909.

3 The Catholic Herald, September , 1960

4 The Sacramento Bee, December 6, 1909

5 The Catholic Herald, Ibid

6 Immaculate Conception Marriage Register,

7 Willis, Ibid

8 The Catholic Herald, September 9, 1922

9 The Sacramento Bee, December 6, 1909

10 Sacramento County Assessor’s Plat Map, 1912

11 Willis, Ibid

12 The Oak Park Ledger, January 1, 1915

13 The Oak Park Ledger, December 10, 1915

14 The Sacramento Bee, Monday, May 8, 1916

15 The Catholic Herald, Saturday, May 6, 1916.

16 The Catholic Herald, Saturday, September 9, 1922

17 The Catholic Herald, September 30, 1922

18 The Catholic Register, October 29, 1933

19 Sacramento County Assessor’s Plat Maps, 1926-27, and 1930-31.

20 The Register, February 23, 1930

21 The Resister, May 11, 1930

22 Ibid

23 The Register, June 22, 1930

24 The Register, August 17, 1930

25 The Register, September 14, 1930

26 Archives of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, South Bend, IN

27 The Register, September 28, 1930

28 Ibid

29 The Register, October 12, 1930

30 Archives of the Sisters of the Holy Cross

31 Ibid

32 Catholic Register, March 23, 1930

33 The Register, November 29, 1931

34 The Superior California Register, December 4, 1932

35 The Superior California Register, November 19, 1933

36 The Superior California Register, October 29, 1933


38 The Catholic Herald, January , 1960.

39 The Superior California Register, September 19, 1948

40 The Superior California Register, August, 18, 1935


42 The Superior California Register, July 16, 1944



45 The Superior California Register, February 20, 1938

46 The Superior California Register, January 19, 1941

47 See, for example, The Superior California Catholic Herald, Novem-ber 29, 1956.

48 Statements of two long-time parishioners, Mary Ellen Griffin Ostoja and Ed Suarez


50 The Superior California Register, September 29, 1940

51 Rev. Steven M. Avella and the Diocese of Sacramento. The Diocese of Sacramento, A Journey of Faith (Ireland: Booklink, 2006), 219.

52 Ibid., 213, 243.


54 Immaculate Conception Baptism Registers

55 The Superior California Register, October 5, and November 5, 1944

56 The Superior California Register, May 16, 1948

57 See, for example, The Oak Park Ledger, February 12, 1915; and The Superior California Catholic Herald, April 17, 1958





62 The Superior California Catholic Herald, August 18, 1955

63 See, for example, The Superior California Register, October 3, 1948; and Superior California Catholic Herald, August 19, 1954, and June 6, 1957


65 See, for example, The Superior California Catholic Herald, January 7 and 21, 1954.

66 The Superior California Catholic Herald, February 6, 1958

67 See, for example, The Superior California Catholic Herald, Septem-ber 29, 1955, and February 1, 1957

68 The Superior California Catholic Herald, December 6, 1956

69 The Superior California Catholic Herald, July 31, 1958

70 The Superior California Catholic Herald, January 28, 1960

71 See Catholic Herald, July 31, 1958, and January 8, 1992, and Superior California Register, January 20, 1946.

72 Annual Parish Report, January 1 – December 31, 1959.

73 Annual Parish Report, January 1-December 31, 1960.

74 Annual Parish Report, January 1-December 31, 1961, and 1961 cor-respondence from Lester A. O’Meara, Mechanical Engineer.

75 Various 1963 correspondence from Edward’s Finishes and Eugene McCoy Company.

76 Correspondence, beginning with May 10, 1963, with Harry Clark Stained Glass Limited, Dublin, Ireland.

77 Superior California Catholic Herald, November 24, 1960.

78 See, for example, Catholic Herald, November 30, 1961.


79 Catholic Herald, March 15, 1962.

80 Superior California Catholic Herald, May 21, 1959

81 Superior California Catholic Herald, December 8, 1960.

82 Superior California Catholic Herald, May 26, 1960

83 Catholic Herald, September 27, 1962

84 Catholic Herald, March 29, 1962

85 See, for example, Superior California Catholic Herald, October 23, 1958, and Catholic Herald, March 9, 1961, December 6, 1961, May 24, 1962, and March 21, 1963..

86 See, for example, Catholic Herald, September 28, 1961, January 10, 1963

87 California Highways and Public Works, January–February 1962


89 Correspondence with Harry Clarke Stained Glass Limited, Dublin, Ireland.

90 Invoice of Eugene McCoy Company.

91 Correspondence and plans from Harry J. Devine and correspondence from Unger Construction.



94 Immaculate Conception Baptism Register


96 Catholic Herald, December 2, 1965

97 Catholic Herald, December 2, 1965

98 Oak Park Ledger, February 12, 1915

99 Catholic Herald, August 29, 1968

100 See I.C. Parish Council Minutes, November 2, 1969 through Novem-ber 24, 1975

101 See By-Laws of Parish Council, Article III

102 Personal observation of the author, who was the first president of the Immaculate Conception Parish Council

103 I.C. Parish Council Minutes, November24, 1969; April 17, 1970, August 30, 1971; September 27, 1971.

104 I.C. Parish Council Minutes, October 29, 1973

105 I.C. Parish Council Minutes, January 28, 1974

106 I.C. Parish Council Minutes, March 25, 1974

107 I.C. Parish Council Minutes, May 20, 1974

108 I.C. Parish Council Minutes, June 30, 1975

109 I.C. Parish Council Minutes, September 30, 1974

110 I.C. Parish Council Minutes, August 28, 1972

111 I.C. Parish Council Minutes, January 28, 1974, and March 25, 1974

112 I.C. Parish Council Minutes, November 29, 1971, and April 29, 1974

113 I.C. Parish Council Minutes, May 20, 1974


115 I.C. parish Council Minutes, April 29, 1974





120 I.C. Parish Council Minutes, February 23, 1970

121 I.c. Parish Council Minutes, April 24, 1972

122 I.C. Parish Council Minutes, July 31, 1972

123 I.C. Parish Council Minutes, April 28, 1975

124 I.C. Parish Council Minutes, February 24, 1975

125 I.C. Parish Council Minutes, November 24, 1975

126 I.C. parish Council Minutes, January 26, 1976

127 The Ramblings of Father Dan Madigan, Daniel Madigan, 2008










137 Margaret Krug, New Life for an Old Cloister, Columbia Magazine, March 1981

138 For example, see I.C. Parish Council Minutes, June 27, 1983, and August 11, 1985

139 Diocesan School Department, Elementary School Enrollment, 1975-76


141 I.C. Parish Council Minutes, February 28, 1983, and statements of parishioners Joseph Ostoja and Ed Suarez.


143 Diocesan School Department, Elementary School Enrollment, 1981- 82 through 1988-89

144 I.C. Parish Council Minutes, September 26, 1983


146 I.C. Parish Council Minutes, January 26, 1981, November 29, 1982, and October 29, 1984


148 Fr. Madigan’s Address to Senior Citizens Group, April 12,1977

149 I.c. Parish Council Minutes, February 25, and March 25, 1985

150 I.C. Parish Bulletin, August 18, October 20, and October 27, 1985

151 Diocesan Records

152 U.S. Census Data, 1980, 1990, 2000

153 Immaculate Conception Parish Records

154 Letter from Fr. James Sheets, to members of the committee, July 5, 1991

155 I.C. Pastoral Planning Committee Minutes, August 5, 1991, and fol-lowing

Endnotes (continued)


156 Letter from Mercy Healthcare, August 22, 1991

157 I.C. Pastoral Planning Committee Min-utes, October 21, 1991

158 Report of Ellis Study Committee, March 16, 1992

159 Letter to Parishioners from Fr. Sheets, December 27, 1992

160 Town hall meeting, March 28, 1993

161 I.C Pastoral Planning Council Minutes, January 13, 1992

162 I.C. Pastoral Planning Council Minutes, June 16, 1994

163 I.C. Pastoral Planning Council Minutes, June 16, September 15, and October 29, 1994

164 I.C. Pastoral Planning Council Minutes, December 15, 1994

165 I.C. Pastoral Planning Council Minutes, February 16, April 20, May 18, and August 10 1995.

166 I.C. Pastoral Planning Council Minutes, August 10, 1995

Endnotes (continued)


168 I.C. Pastoral Planning Council Minutes, September 14, and November 9, 1995

169 I.C. Pastoral Planning Council Minutes, December 14, 1995

170 Diocesan School Department, Elemen-tary School Enrollment, 1995-1997

171 I.C. Pastoral Planning Council Minutes, March 12, 1996

172 Letter from brother Victor Kenneth, FCS, June 20, 2003


174 Appointment letters of Bishop Weigand, July 7, 2001

175 Various appointment letters of Bishop Weigand

176 I.C. Pastoral Planning Council Minutes, December 18, 2001, and April 16, 2002

177 I.C. Pastoral Planning Council Minutes, April 15, May 20, and September 30, 2003.

178 I.C. Pastoral planning Council Minutes, May 25, 2004.

A Short History of Immaculate Conception Parish by Deacon Gerald M. Pauly. Copyright ©2009. Photos from Immaculate Conception Parish archives.


Appendix IPastors, Priests and Deacons at Immaculate Conception Church

Pastors: Fr. William Ellis + 1909 - 1923

Fr. John H. Ellis + 1923 - 1933 Msgr. Patrick J. O'Sullivan + 1933 -1958 Msgr. Thomas A. Kirby + 1958 - 1963 Fr. Michael J. Fitzgerald + 1963 - 1968 Fr. Leo McAllister + 1968 - 1975 Fr. Daniel Madigan 1976 - 1989 Fr. James P. Sheets 1989 - 1995 Fr. Mark Moser 1995 - 1999 Fr. Enrique Perez, Parish Administrator 1999 - 2001 Fr. Ricardo Giraldo, Parish Administrator 2001 - 2003

Fr. Patrick J. Sullivan + 1913 - 1919 Fr. Alphonsus Gavin + 1919 - 1921 Fr. T. J. Morgan 1920 - 1923 Fr. Michael O'Meara + 1921 - 1922 Fr. M. Manogue + 1922 - 1924 Fr. S. Molynearx + 1924 - 1928 Fr. Patrick J. Cronin + 1928 - 1930 Fr. John F. McGuire + 1928 - 1930 Fr. Patrick J. Moran + 1930 - 1933 Fr. Daniel P. Toomey + 1930 - 1935 Fr. Michael McGoldick + 1933 - 1936 Fr. James Kenney + 1935 - 1938 Fr. J. Vaughn + 1936 - 1942 Fr. Michael J. Fitzgerald 1937 - 1942 Fr. Edward Bardon + 1938 - 1944 Fr. John O'Connor + 1938 - 1947 Fr. William Serado + 1942 - 1948 Fr. John J. Healy + 1944 - 1947 Fr. Charles J. Campbell + 1947 - 1949 Fr. Cornelius Higgins + 1947 - 1948

Fr. Thomas O'Brien + 1948 - 1950 Fr. Hugh Bannon + 1948 - 1953 Fr. James Mulligan + 1949 - 1955 Fr. William Broderick + 1950 - 1953 Fr. Charles Fagan + 1950 - 1957 Fr. Edmond A. Gray + 1952 - 1954 Fr. Thomas Relaihan 1953 - 1954 Fr. Daniel Cullinan + 1954 - 1956 Fr. Vincent O'Shaughnessy 1954 - 1960 Fr. Leo McAllister + 1955 - 1957 Fr. John K. Hannon 1956 - 1959 Fr. Vincent Lyons + 1957 - 1960 Fr. Robert Lehmann + 1958 - 1962 Fr. Arnold Meagher 1958 - 1962 Fr. Patrick O'Connor 1958 - 1965 Fr. Anthony Traynor 1960 - 1963 Fr. Patrick O'Brien 1960 - 1963 Fr. Patrick V. Lenehan 1962 - 1967 Fr. Dermot Dryer 1962 - 1964 Fr. James F. Church 1963 - 1968

Priests:


Fr. Louis Donnelly 1964 - 1965Fr. Ignatius Haran 1964 - 1977Fr. Joseph King 1965 - 1968Fr. William J. Dinelli 1966 - 1969Fr. Gordon Johnson 1966 - 1969Fr. Sean Finlay 1969 - 1970Fr. T. Brendan O'Sullivan 1969 - 1970Fr. James Frey 1970 - 1972Fr. Mario Blanco 1972 - 1973Fr. Michael O. Downey 1972 - 1978Fr. Keith Kenny + 1973 - 1975Fr. Patrick Leslie 1977 - 1981Fr. Joseph P. Ternullo 1978 - 1981Fr. John Flynn + 1982 - 1985

Pastors, Priests and Deacons at Immaculate Conception Church (Continued)

Fr. Paul Brunell + 1982 - 1894Fr. Joseph Vallooran + 1986 - 1988Fr. Paul Schloeder 1987 - 1989Fr. William J. Feeser 2002 -Fr. Roberto Jaramillo 2003 - 2005Fr. Ambrose Ugwuegbu 2005 - 2006Fr. Nelson Ogwuegbu 2004 - 2006Fr. Christian Ezeh 2006 - 2007Fr. Braulio Valencia 2005 - 2007Fr. Enrique Alvarez 2007 - 2007Fr. Patrick J. Lee 2005 -Fr. Santiago Raudes 2007 -Fr. Edward Pepka 2008 - 2009

Deacons:

Deacon Gerald Pauly, 1992- Parish Steward 2001-Deacon Ramon Vega+ 1995 - 2000

+ Deceased


Appendix IISisters of the Holy Cross who lived in Immaculate Conception Convent

and taught in the school, 1930-1974

Year Position1930Sr. M. Rosina Vaughn DirectressSr. M. Evelyn Franz TeacherSr. M. Anna Therese Perdue TeacherSr. M. Cleophas Schutz CookSr. Dorothy Mary Schwarzman TeacherSr. Brenda Marie Curran Teacher1931 Sr. M. Rosina Vaughn DirectressSr. M. Evelyn Franz TeacherSr. M. Anna Therese Perdue TeacherSr. M. Cleophas Schutz CookSr. Dorothy Mary Schwarzman TeacherSr. Brenda Marie Curran TeacherSr. M. Emmanuel King Teacher1932 Sr. M. Rosina Vaughn DirectressSr. M. Evelyn Franz TeacherSr. M. Anna Therese Perdue TeacherSr. M. Cleophas Schutz CookSr. Dorothy Mary Schwarzman TeacherSr. Brenda Marie Curan TeacherSr. M. Emmanuel King TeacherSr. M. Matilda Bievenour Teacher1933 Sr. M. Rosina Vaughn DirectressSr. M. Evelyn Franz TeacherSr. M. Anna Therese Perdue TeacherSr. M. Cleophas Schutz CookSr. M. Rita Anne Lies TeacherSr. Dorothy Mary Schwarzman TeacherSr. M. Bethania Whitehouse TeacherSr. M. Branda Marie Curran Teacher1934 Sr. M. Rosina Vaughn DirectressSr. M. Evelyn Franz TeacherSr. M. Anna Therese Perdue TeacherSr. M. Cleophas Schutz CookSr. M. Rita Anne Lies TeacherSr. Dorothy Mary Schwarzman TeacherSr. M. Bethania Whitehouse Teacher1935 PositionSr. M. Rosina Vaughn DirectressSr. M. Evelyn Franz TeacherSr. M. Carlos Trant CookSr. M. Rita Charles Peterson TeacherSr. Maria Anner TeacherSr. M. Rita Anne Lies TeacherSr. M. Bethania Whitehouse Teacher1936 Sr. M. Patricia Shore DirectressSr. M. Evelyn Franz TeacherSr. M. Carlos Trant CookSr. M. Rita Charles Peterson TeacherSr. M. Bonavita Cannon Teacher

Year PositionSr. M. Rita Anne Lies TeacherSr. M. Bethania Whitehouse TeacherSr. M. Malachy McCarthy Teacher1937 Sr. M. Rita Charles Peterson DirectressSr. M. Malachy McCarthy TeacherSr. M. Carlos Trant CookSr. M. Editha Andrews TeacherSr. M. Evelyn Franz Music TeacherSr. M. Romanus Smith Teacher1938 Sr. M. Rita Charles Peterson DirectressSr. M. Othelia Parnell TeacherSr. M. Dionysia Dempsey TeacherSr. M. Evelyn Franz Music TeacherSr. M. Carols Trant CookSr. M. Edithia Andrews TeacherSr. Martha Mary Murphy TeacherSr. M. Romanus Smith Teacher1939 Sr. M. Rita Charles Peterson DirectressSr. M. Editha Andrews TeacherSr. M. Liberata Kaumans TeacherSr. M. Ignatius Schumacher TeacherSr. M. Romanus Smith TeacherSr. M. Camillus Smith TeacherSr. M. Ursula Neis Teacher1940 PositionSr. M. Grace Imelda Jennings DirectressSr. M. Camillus Smith TeacherSr. M. Corita Coady TeacherSr. M. Liberata Kaumans TeacherSr. M. Ignatius Schumacher TeacherSr. M. Bernice McDermott TeacherSr. M. Romanus Smith TeacherSr. M. Vibiana Weber Music Teacher1941 Sr. M. Grace Imelda Jennings DirectressSr. M. Camillus Smith TeacherSr. M. Corita Coady TeacherSr. M. Arsene Gillis TeacherSr. M. Ignatius Schumacher TeacherSr. M. Bernice McDermott TeacherSr. M. Romanus Smith TeacherSr. M. Vibiana Weber Music TeacherSr. M. Seraphia McKenna TeacherSr. M. Florent Ennis Music Teacher1942 Sr. M. Grace Imelda Jennings DirectressSr. M. Camillus Smith TeacherSr. M. Florent Ennis Music TeacherSr. M. Corita Coady TeacherSr. M. Ignatius Schumacher TeacherSr. M. Bernice McDermott TeacherSr. M. Romanus Smith Teacher


Sisters of the Holy Cross who lived in Immaculate Conception Convent and taught in the school, 1930-1974

(continued)Year PositionSr. M. Vibiana Weber Music TeacherSr. M. Irene Kleinhanz TeacherSr. M. Stephen Purcell Teacher1943 Sr. M. Grace Imelda Jennings DirectressSr. M. Florent Ennis Music TeacherSr. M. Corita Coady TeacherSr. M. Ignatius Schumacher TeacherSr. M. Bernice McDermott TeacherSr. M. Romanus Smith TeacherSr. M. Vibiana Weber Music TeacherSr. M. Irene Kleinhanze TeacherSr. M. Stephen Purcell TeacherSr. M. Rosina Rouke Teacher1944 PositionSr. M. Timothea Quinn DirectressSr. Margaret Mary Morton Music TeacherSr. M. Patricia Clare Shore Teacher - 4thSr. M. Corita Coady Teacher - 7thSr. M. Bernice McDermott Teacher 1stSr. M. Romanus Smith Teacher 5thSr. M. Vibiana Weber Music TeacherSr. M. Irene Kleinhanz Teacher 3rdSr. M. Stephen Purcell Teacher - 6thSr. Ellen Marie McBride Teacher - 2nd1945 Sr. M. Timothea Quinn DirectressSr. Margaret Mary Morton Music TeacherSr. M. Patricia Clare Shore Teacher - 4thSr. M. Corita Coady Teacher - 7thSr. M. Bernice McDermott Teacher 1stSr. M. Rose Cunningham Teacher - 5thSr. Rita Mary Turecek Music TeacherSr. M. Irene Kleinhanz Teacher - 4thSr. M. Stephen Purcell Teacher - 6thSr. Ellen Marie McBride Teacher - 2nd1946 Sr. M. Timothea Quinn DirectressSr. M. Corita Coady Teacher - 7thSr. M. Georgeanna Jeager Teacher - 1stSr. M. Agnes Eugenie O'Brien Teacher -6thSr. M. Ella Rose Wirthlin Music TeacherSr. Miriam David Peterson Teacher - 3rdSr. M. Marcelle Frizzie Teacher - 4thSr. Mary Rose Cunningham Teacher - 5thSr. M. Sebastian Adza Teacher - 2nd1947 Sr. M. Valery Zekucia DirectressSr. M. Corita Coady Teacher - 7thSr. M. Florent Ennis Music TeacherSr. M. Georgeanna Jeager Teacher - 1stSr. M. Agnes Eugenie O'Brien Teacher - 5thSr. M. Ella Rose Wirthlin Music TeacherSr. Margaret Mary Duggan Teacher - 8thSr. Miriam David Peterson Teacher - 3rdSr.M. Grace Kos Teacher - 6thSr. M. Sebastian Adza Teacher - 2nd

Year Position1948 Year PositionSr. M. Valery Zekucia Directress - 4thSr. M. Corita Coady Teacher - 7thSr. M. Florent Ennis Music TeacherSr. M. Rita Jane Dosch Teacher - 5thSr. Margaret Mary Duggan Teacher - 8thSr. Christine Healy Teacher - 1stSr. M. Grace Kos Teacher - 6thSr. Margaret Ann Nowacki Teacher - 2nd1949 Sr. M. Valery Zekucia Directress - 4thSr. M. Corita Coady Teacher - 8thSr. M. Florent Ennis Music TeacherSr. M. Barbara Browne Teacher - 7thSr. Mary Grace Kos Teacher - 6thSr. Margaret Ann Nowacki Teacher - 1stSr. M. Adian Poore Teacher - 2ndSr. M. Gertrude Sullivan Teacher - 5th1950 Sr. M. Valery Zekucia Directress - 4thSr. M. Corita Coady Teacher - 8thSr. M. Florent Ennis Music TeacherSr. M. Liberata Kaumans Teacher - 1stSr. M. Grace Kos Teacher - 7thSr. Marissa Loringer Teacher - 3rdSr. M. Irmalyn Benkert Teacher - 5thSr. M. Jacinta Millan Teacher - 6th1951 Sr. M. Valery Zekucia Directress - 4thSr. M. Corita Coady Teacher - 8thSr. M. Florent Ennis Music TeacherSr. M. Irene Kleinhanz Teacher - 6thSr. M. Willana Bowen Teacher - 7thSr. Marissa Loringer Teacher - 3rdSr. Maria Dominga Gurena Teacher - 1stSr. M. Jacinta Millan Teacher - 5th1952 Sr. M. Valery Zekucia Directress - 4thSr. M. Corita Coady Teacher - 8thSr. M. Florent Ennis Music TeacherSr. M. Irene Kleinhanz Teacher - 6thSr. M. Willana Bowen Teacher - 7thSr. M. Jacinta Millan Teacher - 5thSr. M. Jane Chantal Method Teacher - 3rdSr. Maria Dominga Gurena Teacher - 1st1953 PositionSr. M. Grace Kos Directress, Principal -8thSr. M. Josetta Shore Teacher - 6thSr. Harriet Marie St. Marie Teacher - 1stSr. M. Willana Bowen Teacher - 7thSr. M. Jacinta Millan Teacher - 5thSr. M. Jane Chantal Method Teacher - 3rdSr. Mary Klopenburg Teacher - 4thSr. Donna Maria Beattie Music Teacher1954 Sr. M. Grace Kos Directress, Principal -8th


Sisters of the Holy Cross who lived in Immaculate Conception Convent and taught in the school, 1930-1974

(continued)Year PositionSr. M. Josetta Shore Teacher - 6thSr. M. Irmalyn Benkert Teacher - 7thSr. M. Jacinta Millan Teacher - 5thSr. M. Jane Chantal Method Teacher - 3rdSr. Mary Klopenburg Teacher - 4thSr. Janice Taylor Teacher 1stSr. Donna Maria Beattie Music Teacher1955 Sr. M. Grace Kos Directress, Principal -8thSr. M. Josetta Shore Teacher - 6thSr. M. Irmalyn Benkert Teacher - 7thSr. Mary Klopenburg Teacher - 4thSr. Janice Taylor Teacher 1stSr. Donna Maria Beattie Music TeacherSr. M. Manuella Gatterer Teacher - 3rd1956 Sr. M. Grace Kos Directress, Principal -8thSr. M. Josetta Shore Teacher - 6thSr. M. Irmalyn Benkert Teacher - 7thSr. Mary Klopenburg Teacher - 5thSr. Donna Marie Beattie Music TeacherSr. M. Manuella Gatterer Teacher - 3rdSr. Patricia Riley Teacher - 1st1957 Sr. M. Grace Kos Directress, Principal -8thSr. Agnetis Wickey Teacher - 7thSr. M. Elizabeth Scott Teacher - 6th, FluterSr. Mary Klopenburg Teacher - 4thSr. Donna Marie Beattie Music TeacherSr. M. Manuella Gatterer Teacher - 3rd1958 Sr. M. Grace Kos Directress, Principal -8thSr. M. Josetta Shore Teacher - 6thSr. M. Marcelle Frizzie Teacher - 4thSr. Anna Marie Towers Teacher - MusicSr. M. Adrian Poore Teacher - 2ndSr. Patricia Riley Teacher - 1stSr. Margaret Mary Wiley Teacher - 7th1959 Sr. M. Rosina Rouke Directress, Principal - 7thSr. M. Josetta Shore Teacher - 6thSr. M. Marcelle Frizzie Teacher - 4thSr. Anna Marie Towers Teacher - MusicSr. M. Adrian Poore Teacher - 2ndSr. Patricia Riley Teacher - 1st, FlutterSr. Margaret Jean Wiley Teacher - 7th1960 Sr. M. Rosina Rouke Directress, Principal - 7thSister Mary Josetta Shore Teacher - 6thSister M. Gustava Hayes Teacher - MusicSister M. Oswin Donnelly Teacher - 4th

Year PositionSister Patricia Riley Teacher - 1st, FlutterSister M. Anne Clarice Doll Teacher - 8th1961 Sr. M. Rosina Rouke Directress, Principal - 7thSr. M. Josetta Shore Teacher - 6thSr. M. Gustava Hayes Teacher - MusicSr. M. Ita Doyle Teacher - 4thSr. Patricia Riley Teacher - 1st, FlutterSr. M. Anne Clarice Doll Teacher - 8th1962 PositionSr. M. Rosina Rouke Directress, Principal - 7thSr. M. Anne Clarice Doll Teacher - 8thSr. M. Rita Mary Turecek Teacher - MusicSr. M. Ita Doyle Teacher - 4thSr. Constance Cherry Teacher - 6th,Sr. Yvonne Marie Hatt Teache - 8th1963 Sr. M. Rosina Rouke Directress, Principal - 7thSr. Agnes Solare Teacher - 1stSr. M. Josetta Shore Teacher 4thSr. Martha Neeser Teacher - 6thSr. Joanne Phillips Teacher - 7th1964 Sr. Rita Slattery Directress, Principal - 8thSr. Julie Kalousek Teacher - 7thSr. M. Josetta Shore Teacher - 4thSr. Martha Neeser Teacher - 6thSr. Mary Byrnes Teacher - 1st1965 Sr. Rita Slattery Directress, Principal - 8thSr. Dolores Jean Bray Teacher - 7thSr. M. Josetta Shore Teacher - 4thSr. Mary Byrnes Teacher - 1stSr. Elizabeth Haley Teacher - 6th1966 Sr. Rita Slattery Directress, Principal - 8thSr. Dolores Jean Bray Teacher - 7thSr. M. Josetta Shore Teacher - 4thSr. Mary Byrnes Teacher - 1stSr. Elizabeth Haley Teacher - 6th1967 Sr. Rita Slattery Directress, Principal - 8thSr. Dolores Jean Bray Teacher - 7thYear PositionSr. M. Josetta Shore Teacher - 4thSr. Mary Byrnes Teacher - 1stSr. Elizabeth Haley Teacher - 6th1968 PositionSr. Rita Slattery Directress, Principal - 8th


Sisters of the Holy Cross who lived in Immaculate Conception Convent and taught in the school, 1930-1974 (continued)Year PositionSr. M. Josetta Shore Teacher - 4thSr. Eileen Marie McCormick Teacher - 7thSr. M. Agnes Loretto Scheberle Teacher - 4thSr. M. Sylvester Paukovich Teacher - 1stSr. Elizabeth Haley Teacher - 6th1969 Sr. Dolores Jean Bray Superior, PrincipalSr. M. Agnes Loretto Scheberle Teacher - 4thSr. Carolyn Banks Teacher - 8thSr. M. Josetta Shore Teacher - 4thSr. Catherine Kamphaus Teacher - 1stSr. Ellen Francis Otte Teacher - 6th1970 Sr. Dolores Jean Bray Superior, PrincipalSr. M. Agnes Loretto Scheberle Teacher - 4thSr. M. Josetta Shore Accountant, TutorSr. Catherine Kamphaus Teacher - 1stSr. Ellen Francis Otte Teacher - 6th1971 Sr. Dolores Jean Bray Superior, Principal, Religious Ed. CoordinatorSr. M. Agnes Loretto Scheberle Teacher - 4thSr. Maria Goretti Valdovinos Math Tutor, worker Mexican-American ActivitiesSr. Miriam Josephine Schuh PrincipalSr. Doreen Marie Vignassa Teacher - 6thSr. M. Josetta Shore 1972 Sr. Maria Goretti Valdovinos Superior, Coordinator Mexican-American ActivitiesSr. M. Agnes Loretto Scheberle LibrarianSr. Miriam Josephine Schuh PrincipalSr. Dolores Jean Bray Religious Ed CoordinatorSr. Doreen Marie Vignassa Teacher - 6thSr. Marilyn Zugish Teacher - 1st1973 PositionSr. M. Agnes Loretto Scheberle LibrarianSr. Maria Goretti Valdovinos Coordinator Mexican-American ActivitiesSr. Miriam Josephine Schuh PrincipalSr. Doreen Marie Vignassa Teacher - 6thSr. Marilyn Zugish Teacher - 1st1974 Sr. M. Agnes Loretto Scheberle LibrarianSr. Maria Goretti Valdovinos Coordinator Mexican-American ActivitiesSr. Doreen Marie Vignassa Teacher - 6thSr. Marilyn Zugish Teacher - 1st

Members of Other Religious Communities Who Served at Immaculate Conception Parish

Religious Sisters of Mercy, names unknown, who directed religious education classes for children 1909 - 1930

Sr. Elaine Sturges, OSF 1975 - 1981Sr. Veronica, MM 1975 - 1984Sr. Dolores, MM 1975 - 1984Sr. Mary Kane, MM 1979 - 1982Sr. Maria Goretti Valdovinos, CSC 1975 - 1978Sr. Norbert, OSB 1979 - 1981Sr. Carol Quinn, PBVM 1989 - 1985Sr. Rosalie Cooper, OSF 1991 - 2003Sr. Hannah O'Donoghue, RSM 1995 - 1996Br. Victor Kenneth, FSC 1998 - 1999Sr. Socorro Tiscareño, SCJC 1999 - 2000Sr. Angela Itiat, HHCJ 2000 - 2001Sr. Lucy Dei, HHCJ 2000 - 2002Sr. Dorothy Chukwuma, HHCJ 2000 - 2002Sr. Amparo Muñoz, SCJC 2002 - 2006Sr. Guillermina Mendoza, SCJC 2006 - Due to incomplete records, some religious who served after 1975 might not be included, and dates might be incorrect by a year or so.

Documents

A Short History Immaculate Conception ParishSr. M. Rosina Vaughn was the “directress” (superior and prin-cipal). Sr. Rosina served in that capacity during the school’s first