San Rafael Parish

Beautiful parish and church. The parish activities are also very fun and the food quite good. I would also check out the church. The acoustics there are fantastic and the layout unusual but very pretty. It has the altar in the center.

This is the first time I have been to this Catholic church. It was easy to find, central location in Rancho Bernardo.
The church itself was nice and had a unique circular design in which makes it convenient to see what is going on.
The stained glass was really pretty!

Lovely mass and friendly parish. We were visitors is Christ’s house and all made us feel «all are welcome»

Modern Church. Circular in design. Not the traditional lay out of the church. The circular design offers a better view of the mass.

Interesting, different architecture in this Catholic church in Rancho Bernardo. I love it! Very cool art everywhere, from naïve mosaics to sculptures and that super cute Virgin Mary outside with well curated roses adorning nicely. I was invited to a first communion and had a great time, especially for the variety of people congregated there (from Indians with saris to the classical girls dressed in white for their communion, everything is accepted here). The circular shape makes it very integrative to everybody. I like the style, I am not a church goer, but like to attend religious events of my friends and their families and will definitively go again.

love this parish! Msgr. Dennis is an amazing preacher, the people are very friendly. yes there are no kneelers but it was said in second vatican council we can either stand or kneel but not to be sitting during the consecration so I am ok not kneeling due to no kneelers. the church has 5 masses, no 530pm mass on Sunday though. the closest parish is St. Michael’s in Poway if you want to attend a 530pm mass on Sunday.

San Rafael has no kneelers because of the demographics. Rancho Bernardo is a Senior Community. although things are changing in RB. probably 90% of San Rafael members are seniors and unable to kneel. It is a very nice church and Father Dennis is an awesome Pastor for his flock. Other Catholic Churches close by are St. Mike’s in Poway and also St. Gabe’s in Poway and Our Lady of Mount Carmel in PQ. all of those have kneelers. Monsignior Dolan and Father Mel are REALLY GOOD pastor/​priests at St. Mikes! Father Michael is beautiful french Pastor at St. Gabes. but my favorite priest remains Father Hal at Saint Gabriels. you need to catch him sometime. I believe he is «retired» but you would never know it! He often does the 5pm Saturday Mass at St. Gabe’s, and regularly at the 9am weekday Masses (Mon-​Thurs). Father Hal is such a great traditional priest with traditional values and he shares what’s on his mind like nobody’s business ! Father Hal has such wisdom and does not suffer fools wisley :)

I refuse to review a church because it is «the house of GOD» It has it’s own style: no kneelers and circular pews that could be an issue to some. But I say SINCE WHEN DOES CONVENIENCE DETERMINE YOUR FAITH IN GOD? BTW: I was only visiting.

I was raised Catholic by my mother and grandmother and attended San Rafael regularly during high school. What other reviewers have said is true, there are no kneelers, however, if you want to be a black sheep and still have decent knees you can kneel on the floor, like I’ve seen many people do. They sing the ‘Our Father’, occasionally the way it is sung changes, I’m not really a fan of that.
My most recent visit was last night, the 10pm Christmas Eve mass. Let me tell you, this is the place to see and be seen if you are single and in your mid 20s-​30s. Well, with the close of Mr. Charlie’s around the corner, where else is a girl to go in Rancho Bernardo?

The hubby and I were wanting to check out a Church around the area because we plan on moving there in a month or so. so this Church came up and we decided to check it out.
The first thing I noticed was that there were no kneelers. odd. we always kneel during consecration. what were supposed to do? Apparently. they stand. ok. I guess.
Its a small, circular Church. Mass was a little less than an hour.
I wonder what other Catholic Churches are in the area.

I’ve been going to San Rafael for about 7 years and am still moved by the warmth of the congregation, the Priests and everyone involved with the church. From the day I first walked through the doors, I felt welcomed. I have spoken to so many parishioners and they all tell the same story — they were looking for a church, they walked into San Rafael, and they knew they were home. If you’re considering a Catholic church, please consider an Rafael. You won’t be disappointed — you will be very welcomed.

Very modern, very Novus Ordo. I haven’t been here in years, but even 10 years ago, they weren’t kneeling during the consecration. Yikes!
Weird circular layout.