it all started in 1910...
The Vincentian Fathers, who staffed the parish for its first twelve years, named the parish for their patron saint, St. Vincent de Paul. During these early years the original and, which had three houses on it, was transformed into a rectory and a church. In 1922 the Augustinian priests were assigned to the parish, and then in 1925, when the Augustinians were transferred to St. Patrick's Parish, diocesan priests were permanently assigned to St. Vincent de Paul Church.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me..."
In 1948, Monsignor Patrick Dunne, serving as pastor, determined that it was time for the parish to take the next step in serving the community. Plans were drawn up for a parish school and construction was completed in two years. Monsignor Dunne invited the Dominican Sisters of Tacoma, Washington, to staff the school. Because of increasing enrollment, two classrooms were added in 1959.
The Dominican Sisters were transferred in 1969, and the pastor at that time, Monsignor Peter Mimnagh, invited a group of Mercy Sisters from Ireland to staff the school. The school continued to expand and in 1983 another new classroom was built. Over the next twenty years, new instructional and enrichment programs were added to the school day, which necessitated an increased staff that now includes part time teachers for music, Spanish, physical education, art, and computer education, in addition to the Kindergarten through eighth grade faculty. In 1988 an extended care program was offered, both before and after school to support the needs of working parents, and an after-school sports program was initiated, staffed by parents and volunteers. A computer lab; a multi-purpose room, and an additional classroom were added in 2003.
The Dominican Sisters were transferred in 1969, and the pastor at that time, Monsignor Peter Mimnagh, invited a group of Mercy Sisters from Ireland to staff the school. The school continued to expand and in 1983 another new classroom was built. Over the next twenty years, new instructional and enrichment programs were added to the school day, which necessitated an increased staff that now includes part time teachers for music, Spanish, physical education, art, and computer education, in addition to the Kindergarten through eighth grade faculty. In 1988 an extended care program was offered, both before and after school to support the needs of working parents, and an after-school sports program was initiated, staffed by parents and volunteers. A computer lab; a multi-purpose room, and an additional classroom were added in 2003.
A new look...
From 2005-2010, Msgr. Dennis Clark undertook to renovate the Church to its current look and feel. Part of this renovation included tearing down the old rectory and building our current Preschool in 2010. This new building allowed us to add a dedicated science lab and a new library above the preschool for our k-8 school.
Since 2010, the physical plant has been updated to renew and refresh the facilities. A new electrical system was installed, and Phase I of the technology improvement plan was completed, carpeting has been replaced in the hallways and stairs, new flooring installed in the first and second-grade classrooms, blinds have been installed in five classrooms, with lock-down shades for classroom doors, and a rechargeable cart with 30 notebook computers for seventh and eighth grades was purchased, as well as Promethean boards, which were installed in every grade and the science room. Security cameras were temporarily installed with completion and permanent installation completed in 2019 as part of Phase II of the technology plan.
...and a new project
Late in 2016, Father (now Bishop) John Dolan and the Diocese agreed to accept the Historic Jones House from Scripps Mercy, and an agreement was negotiated for interior and exterior restoration. Ideally this would be the new rectory for any priests assigned to St. Vincent de Paul Parish, School, and Preschool.
Together as a Parish Community, we thank God for all He has done to advance the Good News of Salvation in Jesus, through the many generations of St. Vincent de Paul Parishioners in the Diocese of San Diego. St. Vincent de Paul...pray for us.
RESTORE & MAINTAIN OUR RECTORY
Together as a Parish Community, we thank God for all He has done to advance the Good News of Salvation in Jesus, through the many generations of St. Vincent de Paul Parishioners in the Diocese of San Diego. St. Vincent de Paul...pray for us.
RESTORE & MAINTAIN OUR RECTORY
Now...
We are a community of people on fire with the Holy Spirit and eager to call others into encounters with the love of God by doing the works that Jesus did and "even greater ones," as Jesus promised in John 14:12.
Our pastor, Fr. Alex de Paulis, who arrived in July of 2017, as well as our Deacon, Kevin Helfers, who came on board in summer of 2021, truly shepherd us in the way of authentic missionary discipleship. Our clergy, staff and incredible team of parish missionaries seek to encourage one another to be continually formed as and form others to become missionary disciples.
We are filled-up with God's goodness at Mass, Adoration, praise and worship, and a variety of dynamic discipleship formation opportunities. We are also equipped and sent out to go and make disciples of all nations. Through Kingdom Builders, we learn how to share the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit and then we go out and do it together with various "St. Vincent's Mission Outreach" opportunities around town and even virtually.
Our pastor, Fr. Alex de Paulis, who arrived in July of 2017, as well as our Deacon, Kevin Helfers, who came on board in summer of 2021, truly shepherd us in the way of authentic missionary discipleship. Our clergy, staff and incredible team of parish missionaries seek to encourage one another to be continually formed as and form others to become missionary disciples.
We are filled-up with God's goodness at Mass, Adoration, praise and worship, and a variety of dynamic discipleship formation opportunities. We are also equipped and sent out to go and make disciples of all nations. Through Kingdom Builders, we learn how to share the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit and then we go out and do it together with various "St. Vincent's Mission Outreach" opportunities around town and even virtually.
Where we are headed...
We're headed on the adventure of mission with the Chief Shepherd of our souls, Jesus! As we stay connected to Him, who is the Vine, we will together bear much fruit that will last and build the Kingdom of God in the power of the Holy Spirit.
We pray that revival will come not only to our community, but to our city and all those in our spheres of influence. To us, revival means every heart on fire to know, love, and serve the Lord Jesus Christ here on earth, sharing the good news of the Kingdom of God and making disciples of all, so that we can all enjoy Our Father in Heaven, as brothers and sisters in Christ for all of eternity.
Whether you are brand-new to the whole "God thing" or you're on fire to share the love of Jesus with others, we invite you to become a part of our family here at St. Vincent's. The Body of Christ needs YOU!
We pray that revival will come not only to our community, but to our city and all those in our spheres of influence. To us, revival means every heart on fire to know, love, and serve the Lord Jesus Christ here on earth, sharing the good news of the Kingdom of God and making disciples of all, so that we can all enjoy Our Father in Heaven, as brothers and sisters in Christ for all of eternity.
Whether you are brand-new to the whole "God thing" or you're on fire to share the love of Jesus with others, we invite you to become a part of our family here at St. Vincent's. The Body of Christ needs YOU!
Our Patron
Who is St. Vincent de Paul?
St. Vincent de Paul was born to a poor peasant family in the French village of Pouy on April 24, 1581. His first formal education was provided by the Franciscans. He did so well, he was hired to tutor the children of a nearby wealthy family. He used the monies he earned teaching to continue his formal studies at the University of Toulose where he studied theology.
He was ordained in 1600 and remained in Toulose for a time. In 1605, while on a ship traveling from Marseilles to Narbone, he was captured, brought to Tunis and sold as a slave. Two years later he and his master managed to escape and both returned to France.
He was ordained in 1600 and remained in Toulose for a time. In 1605, while on a ship traveling from Marseilles to Narbone, he was captured, brought to Tunis and sold as a slave. Two years later he and his master managed to escape and both returned to France.
St. Vincent went to Avignon and later to Rome to continue his studies. While there he became a chaplain to the Count of Goigny and was placed in charge of distributing money to the deserving poor. He became pastor of a small parish in Clichy for a short period of time, while also serving as a tutor and spiritual director.
From that point forward he spent his life preaching missions to and providing relief to the poor. He even established hospitals for them. This work became his passion. He later extended his concern and ministry to convicts. The need to evangelize and assist these souls was so great and the demands beyond his own ability to meet that he founded the Ladies of Charity, a lay institute of women, to help, as well as a religious institute of priests - the Congregation of Priests of the Mission, commonly referred to now as the Vincentians.
From that point forward he spent his life preaching missions to and providing relief to the poor. He even established hospitals for them. This work became his passion. He later extended his concern and ministry to convicts. The need to evangelize and assist these souls was so great and the demands beyond his own ability to meet that he founded the Ladies of Charity, a lay institute of women, to help, as well as a religious institute of priests - the Congregation of Priests of the Mission, commonly referred to now as the Vincentians.