Catholic Community: ‘Historical Reflection’

By Patricia Galli 

In 1967, Cribari Village was the first of the Villages developed. At this time there was very little development in the Evergreen area, and San Felipe was a two-lane road that meandered from Aborn Road. Cattle roamed the hills, and most mornings one could hear an occasional rooster crowing in the distance.

At that time, there was no Plaza with stores or services outside the security gate, certainly very few neighbors. 

In this setting, bonds of friendship grew among these early residents. As they depended upon each other, a social life developed creating wonderful memories and a legacy of stories. It is not surprising then that the idea of providing worship services at the Villages was needed.

For the Catholic community, this was a particular challenge because the closest Catholic Church, Most Holy Trinity (MHT) was 7 miles away. Some residents decided to see if they could have Most Holy Trinity support a Mass at The Villages. They approached the pastor at Most Holy Trinity, but he was unable to provide Sunday Mass at The Villages.  So, these pioneering Villagers wrote to the Archbishop of San Francisco as The Diocese of San Jose was not created in Santa Clara County until 1981. With the Archbishop’s support, the pastor of MHT began celebrating Mass in The Villages monthly in 1969. Finally on the fourth Sunday of September 1972, the first weekly Mass was celebrated in the Auditorium. It was attended by 60 Villagers. It must be noted that The Villages as we know it today was not completed until the late 1990s. 

The Villages Catholic Community continues to support faith and community life in The Villages. Mass, the celebration of Word (Scripture) and Eucharist occurs at 9 a.m. on the first three Fridays of the month in the Cribari Conference Room and every Sunday at 8:15 a.m. in the Cribari Auditorium. 

All are welcome to attend.

(Jeanne Broenen (RIP) was a source for this article.)

image_print