St Maria Goretti Church

I don’t go here for mass anymore like I use to, but I still go here every Saturday to help the parents sell snacks and etc. to the students during GLVN. It’s pretty fun helping them out and getting to see all of these parents, teachers and kids being happy :) these parents and their children are like a family to me.

I’ve been going to this church for over 20 years. My dad is very religious so I know how it feels like waking up early on a Sunday as a kid =(. This is one of the most crowded church, so parking space gets pretty full. It’s better to come early to get a good parking space.
The choir here is pretty good and the choice of songs makes you feel the great atmosphere. It’s funny when I see the younger kids dressed like they just got out of bed lol. Overall, one of the best mass I’ve been to and full of great memories.

I’ve been coming to this parish ever since I was about 7 years old. It is by far the most welcoming church I know!
Dress attire is not strict compared to other churches.
What I love about this parish and community is that how we are all welcomed as brothers and sisters coming into the House of God trying to give him more of our Time, Treasure and Talent in ways we never thought of. You definitely have time to reflect on your Catholic Faith.
Father Steven Brown and Father Michael recently left the parish however, the priests that are taking over are great as well! Great homilies and wonderful choir that’ll make you want to sing. They have many opportunities for you to get involved whether it be: singing in the choir, altar serving, ushers, etc.
The church alone is beautiful with stained glass windows with a story. Very clean, tidy, and always decorated during festivities and holidays!

I am a devout and practicing member of the Roman Catholic church and out of all the Catholic churches in the San Jose area this is the one I like to attend mass at the most. I go to almost every Catholic church you can think of in San Jose but everytime I come here I feel instantly at home even though I don’t live anywhere close to here. My Mother used to take my Brother and I to church here ever since we were 15 years old and although he has lost his way (we are in our late 30’s now) I still attend Spanish services with my Mother and recently signed up to contribute my knowledge of the Bible through Bible study in Spanish to people who don’t know the Bible as well as I do. I hope to become an active member of this church and help it grow and I hope to prosper with it, and prosper with the Lord through it.

My mom comes to this church faithfully. I was baptized here as a child, both my older brothers were baptized here. I even baptized my son here. So I can say my family has been going to this church at least 30 years. I remember as a kid going to mass at 6:45 a.m. or the 11 a.m. or 6 p.m., Sundays though. I haven’t gone for years but my mom takes my son on Saturdays, sometimes twice if he feels like it. He loves the singing, he’s only 7. This place hasn’t changed. They have the same pews and everything inside. The parking has gotten a lot better but leaving is still a nightmare. Every year they have a carnival. I love seeing that when I drive by. I think I’ve been to so many as a kid, now I see the craziness with the parking and I just stay away.

Most people who know me don’t think I’m the religious, but I actually do practice the normal rituals of my Catholic faith. St. Maria Goretti is where I attend mass regularly.
The mass, homilies, run time vary on the priest. The best at it is FATHER MARK! HE IS THE BEST PRIEST HERE. He starts and ends RIGHT ON TIME, which is surprising because he is FILIPINO! No Filipino time for him. He always ends the mass right on time, usually right smack on the hour. What makes him great is the way he runs the mass doesn’t seem rushed. His homilies keep you engaged even though you tend to be one of those people who start to dose off during these… hmmm. His tone and communication is also very nice. It just sounds like he is talking to you as a friend. There some priest that really seem pushy on their approach.
The church itself is very clean inside and out. There seems to be a recent issue with the wireless microphone they use and picks up INDIAN MUSIC/​RADIO and you can really hear it. The tech department has bandaged the issue, but I don’t think it is completely fixed. As of this writing it may have though. This church projects the lyrics and prayer against the white wall. The problem is it is not quite clear. It is very small if you are towards the back and due to the brightness/​contrast/​gamma it is not easily read. With some tweaks it may be improved, but I believe they make projectors strictly for broadcasting in the day time as it has different specs to accommodate the environment. The music direction has always been rock solid. It’s not super modern and hip like some churches, but they do keep up with the times and have some cool original versions of some songs.
This may not be the most extravagant looking parish, but it is rock slid in all aspects. I had to deduct one star because not all the priests are on the same level as Father Mark.

Pretty cool church… I went here for a baptism, it was very roomy…
Interesting entrance in to the driveway though…

I like how their sign out front near the street is in the Comic Sans font face. Awesome!

I come to Sunday 5:30pm Lifeteen Mass
I usually dont sing but the choir that does an awesome job!!!

I love my church. I attend the Sunday 9:30 AM mass and we welcome all sorts of people no matter what color or sexual orientation.

Attended a Vietnamese mass here and although I don’t speak Vietnamese, I instantly felt welcomed. Not one person looked at me with a «Who’s this Italian-​Puerto Rican chick at our mass?» kind of face.
During the sign of peace (although I didn’t understand what these wonderful people were saying to me) they still smiled and shook my hand. Their choir/​music ministry is the BOMB at the Vietnamese mass — super large, great singers and all very passionate. Really great Vietnamese community here and I loved how they involved the youth and young adults in their mass.
The church is a little dated and could use some construction improvements, but I may return again for an English mass.