St. Anthony Mary Claret Catholic Church
St. Anthony Mary Claret Parish is a Catholic parish in southeastern Fresno, California, in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California.
The Claretians began to minister to the Spanish- and English-speaking faithful in the suburban area of Fresno in 1951. During this year a temporary building was created that would eventually house the permanent building which now stands today. The church was the first to be named by the U.S. Claretians. Over time improvements were made and a site was purchased that would eventually house a permanent parish.
Although the parish is part of the official Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno it holds loose ties to the diocese. Its parish priests are assigned and directed by the Claretian U.S. Western Province in Los Angeles California.
The parish boasts a strong growing Hispanic community, under the current direction of Rev. Gabriel Ruiz, CMF with assistance of associate pastors Rev. Ralph Berg, CMF and Rev. Albert Vázquez, CMF.
Past Parish Priests
- Rev. Ron Alves, CMF
- Rev. Cecil Barron, CMF
- Rev. Robert J. Billett, CMF
- Rev. Brian Culley, CMF
- Rev. Tony Diaz, CMF
- Rev. Dennis Gallo, CMF
- Rev. Art Gramaje, CMF
- Rev. Henry J. Luna, CMF
- Rev. Darrin Merlino, CMF
- Rev. Quyen Nguyen, CMF
- Rev. Anthony Okolo, CMF
- Rev. Valentín Rámon, CMF
- Rev. José Sánchez, CMF
- Rev. Rosendo Urrabazo, CMF
- Rev. Fernando Vega, CMF
External links
- Official website
- Claretian Missionaries of the U.S. Western Province
- Diocese of Fresno official website