Saint Anthony Mary Claret’s Story
December 23, 1807 – October 24, 1870
Saint Anthony Mary Claret was born on December 23, 1807, in Sallent, near Barcelona, Spain. Raised in a deeply Christian family, he developed a strong faith from an early age. His devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist and to the Virgin Mary shaped his spiritual life and inspired a deep concern for the salvation and well-being of others.
As a young man, he first worked in the textile industry, following his father’s trade. Although he showed great skill and success in this field, he gradually realized that God was calling him to a different path. After prayer and reflection on the words of the Gospel, he left his career behind and entered the seminary in Vic, where he prepared for the priesthood.
Ordained a priest in 1835, St. Anthony Mary Claret soon became known as a passionate missionary preacher. Traveling mainly on foot and living simply, he preached throughout Catalonia and later the Canary Islands, encouraging people to renew their faith and deepen their relationship with God. His powerful preaching, writings, and pastoral dedication made him widely respected among the people he served.
In 1849 he founded the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, today known as the Claretians. Shortly afterward he was appointed Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba, where he spent several years preaching missions across the island, promoting education, defending human dignity, and working for both spiritual and social renewal. Despite facing persecution and even surviving an assassination attempt, he remained devoted to serving the Church.
Later he returned to Spain and served as confessor to Queen Isabella II. While living in Madrid, he continued his missionary work by preaching, writing books, visiting hospitals and prisons, and promoting Catholic education and culture. Even while connected to the royal court, he maintained a simple life dedicated to spreading the Gospel.
In 1869, St. Anthony Mary Claret participated in the First Vatican Council in Rome, where bishops from around the world gathered to address important matters of faith and Church teaching. During the council he spoke passionately in defense of the doctrine of papal infallibility, demonstrating his strong commitment to the unity and authority of the Church. Despite declining health, he continued to serve faithfully during this historic moment in the life of the Church.
After years of tireless missionary work, St. Anthony Mary Claret died on October 24, 1870, in exile in France. The Church later recognized the holiness of his life and his extraordinary dedication to evangelization. He was beatified in 1934 by Pope Pius XI and canonized in 1950 by Pope Pius XII. Today he is remembered as a great missionary saint whose motto, “Caritas Christi urget nos” — “The love of Christ impels us,” continues to inspire the Church and the Claretian missionaries around the world.
Brief History of Our Parish
The story of St. Anthony Claret Parish begins in 1951, when Joe and Dorothy Huarte acquired property in East La Palma. Joe, a respected figure in the Catholic community and President of the St. Boniface Holy Name Society, donated part of his land to the Chancery Office for the establishment of a new parish. During construction, the Huarte family generously offered their basement as a temporary Parish Hall, hosting early meetings of the Men’s Club, Women’s Club, and Choir.
Founding Years (1955-1958)
Monsignor Michael Walsh began his parish duties in 1955 at the La Jolla Mission Church, Our Lady of Guadalupe. Due to limited space, some parishioners listened to Mass through open windows. That humble chapel was eventually demolished to make way for the Orange Freeway, which now runs over its former site.
From 1955 to 1957, Msgr. Walsh oversaw the construction of the church, convent, school, and parish hall. The church was completed in 1956 and officially dedicated in 1958. He also founded the Men’s Club, which led fundraising efforts and launched the parish’s now-traditional annual fiesta. The Women’s Club soon followed, supporting parish activities with equal dedication.
- First Baptism: Lawrence Murillo on June 24, 1955
- First Mass in the new church: Christmas Day, 1956
- Parish population by 1957: 2,000 families
- School opening: September 16, 1957, with 195 students
- First Sisters of St. Louis: Sister Mary Carol O. Boyle, Sister Philomena Cassidy, Sister Frances Leonard
- On March 16, 1958, Cardinal James McIntyre presided over the church’s dedication ceremony.
Growth and Legacy
The parish’s early years were marked by resilience and community Spirit. Migrant workers helped influence at the La Jolla Mission Church so Mass could be celebrated while the new church was under construction. As East Anaheim grew, so did the parish, opening a school to serve local children. Though the school has since closed, its legacy lives on through the continued use of its former offices and the fond memories of devoted nuns, teachers, 00catechists.
Two foundational leaders shaped the parish’s identity:
Rev. Msgr. Michael Walsh (1955-1967)
Built our parish’s physical foundation
Rev. James Nash (1967-1984)
Deepened our parish’s spiritual life
Transitions and Challenges (1980s-2000s)
After Msgr. Nash’s retirement in 1984, Fr. Ken Schmidt acted as Administrator until Rev. James Dunning took over in December 1985. Known for his outgoing nature, Fr. Dunning energized parish life, forming new groups and strengthening the Men’s Club and Women’s Guild Association.
Fr. Mario “Marito” Rebamontan, Associate Pastor since 1985, succeeded Fr. Dunning in 1990. Beloved for his humor and warmth, Fr. Mario oversaw aesthetic changes to the church, including stained glass windows, chandeliers, and a redesigned altar.
By this time, Anaheim’s population had surged to nearly 300,000, with Hispanics making up half. The parish grew to over 5,000 families, predominantly Hispanic. Fr. Mario, a Filipino priest fluent in Spanish, connected deeply with the community.
A New Era
Fr. Rudolph Preciado, born in Guadalajara, Mexico, became Pastor after Fr. Mario. He renovated the church and added the Blessed Sacrament Chapel beside the cry room. His most difficult decision came in 2008, when he wrote to Bishop Tod Brown: “It is not our dream to close the school, but we don’t have the means to keep it open anymore.”
After more than 50 years of service, the school closed its doors.
Renewal and Revitalization
In 2014, Fr. Bill Cao, a dynamic young Vietnamese priest fluent in English, Vietnamese, and Spanish was appointed Parish Administrator and subsequently installed Pastor on October 1, 2017. His leadership has brought renewed energy to the parish, with monthly religious and social events and extensive renovations.
- Chapel and Altar redesign
- New Church doors
- Renovated Church Sacristy, Vestibule, and Restrooms
- Shrines of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Saint Anthony Mary Claret
- Repaved Parking Lot
- Parish Hall transformed into an Event Hall
- Church Sound System
- Ongoing Revitalization of Classrooms and School Restrooms
Above all these are the various events held to ensure Spiritual Growth among the parishioners such as Trainings for Ministries, Retreats, Youth Ministry programs, and Faith Formation Classes. Under the leadership of our pastor, special attention has been given to the growth of youth ministries, creating opportunities for young people to deepen their faith, build community, and actively participate in the life of the Church.
Looking ahead, St. Anthony Mary Claret Parish remains rooted in faith and driven by the love of Christ. With vibrant leadership and a devoted community, the parish is poised for continued growth spiritually, culturally, and in service to others.
Its future shines bright, and the mission is clear: “To be a Beacon of Hope and Faith as it continues the ministry of Jesus Christ through Prayer, Sacraments, Evangelization and Service.”
Sources: The History of a Parish, 1961, pub. By St. Boniface, Directory 1968, 1975, 1985, 1987, St. Anthony Claret, SAV Souvenir Program 2015. Bulletin Snippets of Rose Aquino
Written by: Mercy Eslinger, SAC Liturgy & Music Coordinator
