Parish ministry has been a central focus for the North American Claretians, sharing the word of God and assisting those in need. The parishes serve as a base of operations, allowing us to evangelize the surrounding migrant communities. Initially, we were unique in ministering to the Spanish-speaking Catholic population. Today, we minister to these ever-changing and diverse communities in the United States and Canada.
United States
Immaculate Heart of Mary
San Antonio, TX
The oldest Claretian sponsored church in the United States, the parish serves as an historical anchor of the community. Located near San Antonio’s famed River Walk, the Claretians continue their ministry to those in need.
San Gabriel Mission
San Gabriel, CA
Designated as the Pride of the Alta California Missions, San Gabriel has served as the center of Claretian ministry in California since 1908. From this mission, the city of Los Angeles was founded in 1781. Upon their arrival, the Claretians restored, rebuilt, and revitalized Catholic life in the region. Today, the community continues to serve a multicultural parish, offering English, Spanish, and Vietnamese services.
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Chicago, IL
Serving the Spanish-speaking Catholic community in the Upper Midwest since 1924, Our Lady of Guadalupe has served as the center for Latino Catholic ministry in the region. From here, our Claretian missionaries travelled throughout the region to minister to newly arrived peoples. Like many Claretian parishes located in transitory urban enclaves, we deal with urban issues: poverty, gangs, drugs, domestic violence, and unemployment. As the home of the National Shrine of Saint Jude, the church’s devotees offer prayers, support, and hope to those in need in an ever-changing society.
Our Lady of Fatima
Perth Amboy, NJ
In the 1940s, we accepted an invitation to minister to the Catholic Latino community in New Jersey. The years following World War II brought an influx of Caribbean Catholics to metropolitan New York. From the outset, this small mission, later known as Our Lady of Fatima Church, has served a vibrant multi-national community. Energized by new members, the parish has played a significant role in the life of the community.
St. Anthony Mary Claret
Fresno, CA
One of the first U.S. churches to honor our founder, Saint Anthony Mary Claret, this parish continues the work of this Holy man. Serving 1500 to 2000 families, the church plays an important role in the life of the community, ministering not only to those permanently residing in the Greater Fresno area but also to migrant workers.
St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church
Jersey City, NJ
Saint Joseph Parish is in the heart of Jersey City. It is the oldest continuously operating Catholic Church in Jersey City. It is a multicultural parish. Dating from 1857, the Church was dedicated to Saint Joseph, the patron of laborers. The Claretians took over the parish on July 1, 2019.
Canada
Below are the parishes we currently serve in Canada. For more information about each parish, please visit their websites.
Centre Claret
Montréal, Québec
We initiated a new urban ministry in 1999 by acquiring the former rectory at the East End of Montréal. Focusing on youth and vocational ministry, the Centre provides an environment for community life and spiritual reflection. We work with other religious communities and groups, and provide a Catholic anchor for the neighborhood.
Notre-Dame d’Anjou
Montréal, Québec
Serving as one of the primary centers for outreach to the Spanish-speaking Catholics in Greater Montreal, the parish serves four places of worship throughout the city. It is an anchor for the migrant community and reflects Saint Anthony Mary Claret’s commitment to serving people who are looking for a place of belonging and community.
Notre-Dame-de-Protection
Sherbrooke, Québec
This Canadian Claretian ministry has been in the city of Sherbrooke of the Eastern Townships since the 1960s. In Sherbrooke, the Claretians opened a Canadian novitiate as well as established Camp Claret in 1963. A year later, the Claretians took possession of Notre-Dame-de-Protection Church, located outside the city of Sherbrooke. Like other Claretian ministries, the parish has created separate ministry sites for the Latin American mission. With the reorganization of the Archdiocese of Sherbrooke, the Claretians have assumed responsibility for the pastoral ministry of adjoining parishes.
Holy Cross Parish
Ottawa, Ontario
In 2004, we expanded our Canadian ministry to the Province of Ontario in the Canadian capital city of Ottawa. We serve a predominately English-speaking population, and the parish welcomes a vibrant international community.
Saint Bernard Parish
Gloucester, Ontario
We accepted responsibility for Saint Bernard Church in 2011. Established in March 1959, the Church has become the center for Catholic life in the area, and includes three elementary schools: Saint Bernard, Saint Thomas More, and Saint Marguerite d’Youville.
Portuguese Mission of the Holy Spirit
Metropolitan Archdiocese of Gatineau
Gatineau, Quebec
Established in 2022, this new ministry welcomes recent Catholic immigrants to Canada. By way of embracing Saint Anthony Mary Claret’s commitment to migrants, we accept the responsibility of serving the Brazilian Catholic community located in this city.
Timiskaming First Nation and Long Point First Nation
Rouyn-Noranda Diocese, Quebec
In 2021, we accepted the ministry at two of the three missions of the Anicinabek First Nations that the Diocese of Rouyn-Noranda has in their Aboriginal milieu, namely the Sainte-Kateri-Tekakwitha mission of Timiskaming First Nation (TFN), located in Notre-Dame-du-Nord, Quebec, and the Sainte-Anne mission of Long Point First Nation (LPFN), located in Winneway, Quebec. By serving the people of the First Nations, our Claretian mission continues to expand in rural Canada.
Mexico
Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza
Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico
We established this international ministry to commemorate the 150th-anniversary founding of the Claretian Missionaries. This collaborative ministry between the Mexican and United States Claretians provides pastoral assistance to help those working on the border. This parish serves families that have migrated north in search of employment primarily in the mega-factories employing the poorest of the poor at substandard wages.