Holy Angels Byzantine Catholic Church

Update: Holy Angels Church Ethnic Foods now make mushroom stuffed cabbage rolls. The stuffing contains mushrooms, onions, rice, spices & tomatoes sauce. It’s to be served on Christmas Eve. They’re 9 for $ 9.00. You can call this number 858−268−3458, if you’re interested in buying them.

I’ve attended a handful of times over the year’s the Divine Liturgy (or as we Latins call: Mass).
It’s a very reverent, and uplifting experience. The ichonography and artwork on the walls and ceiling is tasteful and very beautiful!

My only concern is that on the 3 times I attended, there were less than 20 persons not counting the choir. The last time I went, there only 7 excluding myself and my daughter.
The people were friendly.
I hope such a Divine gem continues! It can be a challenge to find a reverent Mass that is as rich as this Byzantine liturgy. San Diego is very blessed to have this Catholic Rite in its backyard!

I feel overly blessed to be a member of this parish. I have felt welcome here from the very beginning, thanks to the kindness and love of Father Robert (Pipta) and many of the other parishioners of Holy Angels Church.
This parish has been blessed with parishioners of all ages and at all stages of life. If you are a large family with nine children… you will fit in just fine here! If you are new to the Catholic faith; If you are of the Latin rite; If you are a young married couple just starting out; If you are a family of six; If you are an elderly couple, you will fit in just fine here. Can you only visit once in a while when you’re in town? Are you young/​old and single? Yes, you, too, will fit in just fine here. And we’ll be very glad to have you join us!
My family has been attending for over two years now and I am so thankful for the very attentive, sincere, and loving care that Father Robert provides for his parishioners, as well as to the Divine Liturgies and other services as well. There are regular Matins and Vespers services each week throughout the year, and during the fasting seasons there is generally at least one service each day. Father Robert gives wonderful homilies and knows just about everyone’s name that ever walks into the parish — or he makes it a point to learn and remember it.
This is not a parish where you see the priest and one or two other parishioners struggling to do everything on their own. All parishioners are encouraged to serve in the parish, and very many of them do so. Some sing in the choir and act as cantors and readers on a regular basis — and they sing very well, many of them having been schooled in this area. Holy Angels is written top to bottom, side to side, completely covered on the inside with amazing icons by parishioner Mila Mina. Children and adults alike can easily spend much time before and after services (and often during!!!) gazing into these «windows into heaven». Some parishioners help throughout each month to make the delicious ethnic foods that can be purchased on Sundays, as well as many weekdays (see the website for the schedule). There are those who serve by bringing food to share each Sunday after service for our social hour. Then there are those who serve by cleaning or helping to deal with the upkeep and renovations of the church, participating in the Social Committee (those who help prepare for big events like the annual picnic, talent show, holy day parties, and so on), and more!
Prior to each service, Father Robert makes himself available for confessions (but you can also schedule an appointment for one). After each Sunday Divine Liturgy (with the exception of one or two during the summer) everyone is welcome downstairs to the hall to enjoy an array of snacks and drinks, and it is generally a wonderful time of fellowship for parishioners and guests. If you have children, you will be pleased to know that there is a wonderful new playground at this parish where all of the children seem to quickly migrate to after Liturgies these days. It is safe, shaded, and fenced in, and it has a couple of long benches for parents to rest under the shade of a large tree and chat while watching the kids.
There is also an ECF (Eastern Christian Formation) program during the school year for school aged children ages four years to twelfth grade where children can learn about the faith and grow in their spiritual life in a very safe and loving environment.

From that link you will also see that there are adult enrichment classes, too, as well as a young adults group that meets regularly.
If you’ve never been to a Divine Liturgy, check out this link on the website
for a better idea of what a wonderful experience awaits you!
Do, please, visit Holy Angels Byzantine Catholic Church. I hope that you find yourself loving it as much as my family and I do!

I love this church. It’s not my parish, but it’s really close to where I live so I’ve been to Divine Liturgy (aka Mass) there a handful of times. It’s an Eastern Rite church, Byzantine, to be specific. And they are in full communion with Rome. Their liturgy is beautiful and the priest (Fr. Robert Pipta) gives really good homilies. I really love the congregational singing as well. Their average attendance is around 100. Mostly families, but quite a few young couples as well. Fr. Pipta knows most of the parishioners by name. Divine Liturgy is at 9 a.m. on Sundays. They have other prayer services during the week as well to include evening vespers on Saturdays at 5:00 p.m.