Welcome to
Old St. Mary’s Cathedral
& Chinese Mission
Welcome to our vibrant Catholic community,
where we together celebrate
faith, hope, and love of God.
Join us in sacred worship, building community,
and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.
2026 Archdiocesan Annual Appeal
Just as PBS has pledge seasons to raise operating funds, so too does our archdiocese. For our archdiocese, it is called Triple A or the Archdiocesan Annual Appeal. This year’s theme, from the prophet Isaiah, is “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.”
We have a parish obligation of raising $44,762, which is based on 20% of last year’s donations to the parish.
Please consider supporting our archdiocese in her mission to spread the Gospel, care for the needy, prepare folks for the sacraments, support our parishes and schools, train catechists and seminarians, and care for the senior priest. Your support also help us reach our required goal.
To find out more, please take home a flyer and donation envelope at the parish or check out the Archdiocesan Annaul Appeal webpage.
Adult Confirmation Preparation
We have six candidates in our Adult Confirmation Preparation program. Please keep Ana Hernández Sánchez, Daniel Frias Vidal, Michael Caffrey, Robert Lara, Sara Garces, and Zoe Baker in your prayers.
They will be celebrating the sacrament of confirmation with Archbishop Cordileone on May 24, 2026 at 11am at St. Mary’s Cathedral. The preparation consists of 8 catechetical sessions plus a Saturday retreat and actively living one’s Catholic faith. We started Monday, March 23rd and have been meeting online from 7-8:30pm.
For more information,
please contact Fr. Ivan (IvanT@osmsf.org or 415-288-3830).
Upcoming Memorial Mass
for Fr. Daniel McCotter, CSP
11am, Saturday, June 20
Our beloved former director of the Chinese Mission and pastor of Old St. Mary’s Cathedral has passed away in Illinois on March 16, 2026. He was a Paulist priest for 44 years and prior to the Paulists, he was a Christian Brother.
He is remembered for his dedication to St. Mary’s Chinese School. Education from his Christian Brother days never left his heart. He coordinating the building of the new St. Mary’s Chinese School building on Kearny and moving of the school from a church building to the new building. He also was instrumental in the merging of Old St. Mary’s Cathedral parish with the Chinese Mission.
Everyone is invited to join us for a Memorial Mass in honor of Fr. Daniel as we give thanks to God for the gift of his life for the Church and send up our prayers for him. This will be at 11am on Saturday, June 20th.
Parish Info & What’s Coming Up ...
OCIA - A Journey of Faith
Wanting to explore the Catholic Faith? Considering becoming Catholic or receiving sacraments
of Confirmation & Eucharist?
We have a process called the OCIA where the church accompanies folks ionn their spiritual journey to discern God’s call to become Catholic.
To become a Catholic disciple of Jesus Christ is more than just knowledge. It’s all about realizing how amazing our Lord is and to fall deeply in love, so as to transform one’s life and tap into the blessings, sacraments, and companionship of our Lord and His Church.
Contact Fr. Ivan for more information.
After-Mass Hospitality
(After the 9am and 11am Mass)
Everyone is invited to our after-Mass hospitality after the 9am and 11am Sunday Masses. Each Sunday, the parish provides tea and coffee and various parishioners bring treats or make something delicious to share. We are following the Master who did his best ministry around food,
In this we start to fulfill our Mass dismissal charge to “go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.” We glorify the Lord by making people feel loved. We glorify the Lord by allowing others to help us experience God’s love through their friendship and affection.
Our parishioners and visitors often spend an hour after Mass in our auditorium getting to know one another, sharing our week, or finding needed connections, laughter, or prayers. Come an entertain angels without knowing it through your presence and hospitality. (Hebrew 13:2).
Bible Studies
Come join our online Bible Studies to deepen your appreciation of the power and wisdom of God’s Word. As St. Jerome says, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.”
Fr. Tom leads an English Bible Study on Thursday at 6pm (ZOOM ID: 819 3641 0160; Passcode: 016304).
Deacon Simon leads a Cantonese Bible Study on Friday at 8pm (Zoom ID: 758 223 4347)
2026 Archdiocesan Annual Appeal
It’s that time again when each parish is asked to help support our archdiocesan. So far we have raised $13,194 towards our goal of $44,762. Our goal is set at 20% of our ordinary income from the previous year.
Thanks to all who have given so far.
Your support helps our archdiocese support Bay Area ministries like Catholic Charities, Catholic Schools, Faith Formation, Marriage Preparation, Ethnic Ministries like to Chinese Catholics, care for retired priests, formation of future priests, continuing formation of catechists and parishioners ministers and priests.
Spirituality Resources
We are now in the season of Easter. This is our 50-day season to rejoice and to come to know in a deeper way, our Risen Lord. The resurrection of Jesus Christ makes all the difference in the world. It is our proof that sin and death have been conquered and we get to join our Lord in His triumph for our salvation. Click below for some resources to help you celebrate well this season of explosive joyful growth and gratitude and joy.
2026 Annual Paulist Appeal
The religious order, that has been serving Old St. Mary’s Cathedral & Chinese Mission since 1894, is the Paulist Fathers. We are the first men’s religious order founded in the US. We were founded to evangelize the US, then considered mission territory, with the large number of non-Christians and Protestants. Our founder, Servant of God Isaac Hecker, felt the energetic spirit of America was fertile ground for the richness and vibrancy of the Catholic faith.
Your support of the Paulist Fathers help us continue our missionary efforts in the United States. We have active ministries in evangelization, communication (through books (Paulist Press), movies and documentaries (Paulist Production), radio (Busted Halo Show)), young adult ministries, reconciliation, ecumenism, lay ministry, etc. These ministries all need your support. The funds also help us to take care of our senior Paulists and to form our future Paulist priests.
** Visiting Old St. Mary's
** Visiting Old St. Mary's
If you are planning to visit Old St. Mary's, we look forward to welcoming you. This 172 year old church has seen a lot of history and a lot of lived faith.
We have a self-guided tour pamphlet you can pick up at the church. At our church entrance, we have historic pictures of the church and tower that amazingly survived the 1906 SF earthquake. That earthquake destroyed over 80% of the city.
Our church is normally open
Mon: CLOSED
Tues-Fri: 10am-4:30pm
Sat: 11:30am-6pm
Sun: 8:30am-Noon
(until 3pm during the summer)
Who Are We?
Welcome to our community, where warmth and faith come together
to create a sense of belonging for everyone.
Join us as we share in life's journey,
celebrating and supporting one another every step of the way.