About Our Lady of the Assumption

Our Lady of the Assumption Parish began as a designated Portuguese Cultural Center within the Diocese of Stockton.  In 1972, a young group of Catholics inspired by two Portuguese missionaries,  Father Jose Carlos and Father Ivo Rocha, set out to found a place where they would celebrate both their faith and culture.  With this vision and a great deal of courage, they purchased 5 acres of land on S. Walnut in Road in Turlock, CA.  The community began celebrating Mass in Portuguese in a mobile home on the property while they constructed the first Church.  Bishop Don Merlin Guilfoyle dedicated and blessed the first Church on June 11, 1973. In 1981, The Portuguese Cultural Center was designated as Our Lady of the Assumption Parish with Father Ivo Rocha serving as Pastor and Father Valentim Freitas serving as his associate.  As the Parish grew, Father Richard Forti began offering Mass in English and worked to establish a faith formation program for youth.  Just a year later, the Parish Hall was built and is used to this day as a place for worship, education and formation, social activities, and cultural experiences.  By 1986, Father Eugene Trainer was appointed Administrator.  In January of 1987, Father Manuel Fontes Sousa joined him in the Parish as Co-Administrator.  On the Feast of Our Lady of the Assumption 1989, Father Manuel Fontes Sousa was installed as Pastor. By 1996, the Parish had outgrown the first Church and broke ground for the new Church where we currently celebrate Sunday Masses.  The first Church continues to host most daily Masses, Confessions, and Adoration.  It is a wonderful place of peace and prayer.  The new Church was dedicated and blessed by Bishop Donald Montrose of the Diocese of Stockton and Bishop Antonio de Sousa Braga of the Diocese of Angra, Azores at the Celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of the Assumption, August 16, 1998. Our Lady of the Assumption has a history with deep Azorean Portuguese roots and a firm commitment to Catholic Tradition.  Our community is comprised of families with 3-4 generations of parishioners and is ever welcome to new members.  It is a place where you will find the Sacraments, prayer, community, study, commitment, and celebration.  We invite you to join one of our many liturgies, programs and events.  You will be happy you came.