Name of Church St. Joachim Church

Address 401 West 5th Street, Madera, CA 93637

Phone number (559) 673-3290

Website www.sjoachim.org

Mass times Saturday vigil 5 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. (Spanish); Sunday 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m. (Spanish), 9:30 a.m.; 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. (Spanish), 4 p.m. (Spanish), 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m. (Spanish).  Weekdays 7 & 8 a.m., with the 8 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday in Spanish and a Wednesday, 7 p.m. in Spanish.  Saturday, 8 a.m.

Confessions Saturdays, 9-11 a.m., Wednesdays 6 p.m.

Names of priests Fathers John Warburton, pastor, Gustavo Lopez, rector, Shaji Athipozhi, James Catalano.  The Oblates of St. Joseph are a religious congregation founded by St. Joseph Marello (1844-95), an Italian priest who later became Bishop of Acqui in Northern Italy.  Marello’s community, originally known as the Company of St. Joseph, began with four candidates in 1878.  Marello encouraged his nascent community to imitate the virtues and qualities of St. Joseph as they began their work, which included serving the elderly, handicapped and orphaned.  The community came to California in 1931.  They are known locally for their seven-acre Shrine of St. Joseph in Santa Cruz, where visitors are welcome to come for Mass and confession, as well as private prayer.  The Oblates have about 30 priests in the U.S., but like many religious communities, have struggled for vocations.

School Pre-K through 8, located across the street from the parish.  Sisters of the Immaculate Conception serve on the school staff.

Special parish groups Legion of Mary, Bible studies, Knights of Columbus, youth groups, weekday adoration (see the website for times), Italian Catholic Federation, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Hospital and Jail Ministry.

Music Depends on the Mass, cantors, choirs, organ and piano.

Fellow parishioners A mix of English and Spanish speakers.

Parking Plenty in a lot beside the church; on the weekend you can also park across the street at the school.

Acoustics Good

Cry room Yes

Additional observations  St. Joachim is a parish of the Diocese of Fresno.  The church is an older, cathedral-style church built in 1959 (planning is underway for a new church).  Artwork includes a large mosaic of Christ behind the altar, a traditional crucifix, shrines of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and many other mosaics and a variety of statues.  There are many colorful stained glass windows, including The Three Skulls in the sacristy, skulls wearing a biretta, miter and papal tiara to remind clergy of the brevity of life.  The exterior entry of the church has a large mosaic of St. Joachim which was recently restored after high winds damaged it.  (Listen to the pastor, Fr. Warburton, talk about the restored mosaic:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLIcOL1SR50.)  The church has also welcomed the Extraordinary Form of the Mass (watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jGfwmDmkJY.) There is also a parish bookstore nearby which offers a variety of religious items.  The parish serves two mission churches, St. Anne and St. Agnes.