About Us
Our History
Founded in 1953 as Mission Guadalupe, our parish came into being to respond to the spiritual needs of the growing community of east San Jose. From its beginnings, it has been a place where families have found a community of faith, hope and belonging, celebrating the Eucharist, the sacraments and the traditions that strengthen Christian life.
In 1962, Mission Guadalupe was officially elevated to Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, and a few years later, thanks to the generosity and effort of many parishioners, the church that continues to be our spiritual home was built. Dedicated in 1967, the church houses the beautiful mosaic of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a symbol of the deep Marian devotion and the cultural richness of our community.
For more than seven decades, our parish has accompanied thousands of families in the most important moments of their lives: baptisms, first communions, confirmations, marriages, funerals and celebrations of faith. Generation after generation, Our Lady of Guadalupe has been a place of prayer, service and encounter with Christ.
Mission
Vision
Fr. Hugo Rojas
Pastor
Fr. Hugo Rojas was born in Mendoza, Argentina, where from a very young age he felt God’s call to the priesthood. Although he wanted to study law after finishing school, he chose to respond generously to the vocation the Lord had placed in his heart and to devote his life to the service of the Church.
As part of his formation and priestly ministry, he lived for ten years in Taiwan, an experience he considers a great blessing. There he had the opportunity to come to know a new culture and to proclaim the Gospel in a different context. Thanks to this multicultural experience, he speaks English, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese, which allows him to serve and accompany people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
In 2008 he arrived in the Diocese of San Jose, where he served first as parochial vicar at St. Mary’s Parish in Gilroy and later at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph. From 2017 to 2024 he was pastor of Our Lady of Refuge Parish, where he promoted a variety of community support programs, among them mobile health clinics, fresh food distribution and other initiatives at the service of those most in need.
Since July 2024, Fr. Hugo has been pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. In collaboration with Catholic Charities, he continues to promote social assistance programs, mobile health clinics and free legal immigration services to support the families and individuals of the community.
Fr. Hugo is known for his kindness, his approachability and his spirit of service. Convinced that serving others is one of the most beautiful expressions of God’s love, he works each day to build a welcoming, missionary and compassionate parish where every person feels accompanied, valued and part of God’s family.
In his free time he enjoys the company of his cats, a small reflection of the affection and care he also seeks to extend to all of creation.
Fr. Agustín Arévalo
Parochial Vicar
Fr. Agustín Arévalo was born in Iquitos, Peru, in the heart of the Amazon. At sixteen he answered God’s call to the priesthood and entered the seminary, beginning a journey of faith and service that continues to this day. He comes from a simple, hardworking and loving family that nurtured in him the desire to give his life to the Lord.
He was ordained a priest on April 25, 2010, and has served in a variety of pastoral roles, among them pastor of San Juan Bautista Parish in Miraflores and of San Pedro Pescador Parish, in the Apostolic Vicariate of Iquitos. In addition, for nearly fourteen years he exercised his ministry as a chaplain of the Peruvian Navy, offering spiritual accompaniment to service members and their families.
Since July 2026, Fr. Agustín has served as Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in San Jose, California. He looks forward with enthusiasm to getting to know the parish community and to accompanying its parishioners in their spiritual growth.
Fr. Agustín is distinguished by his joy, kindness, generosity and deep love for the liturgy, especially for the celebration of Holy Mass. With a warm and willing spirit, he seeks to walk alongside the community and to serve each person with dedication and compassion.
Sthefany Sánchez
Office Manager
Sthefany Sánchez serves as Office Manager of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, where she coordinates and supports the administrative work that keeps parish life running smoothly. With organization, initiative and a deep spirit of service, she strives to offer attentive and efficient care to parishioners, volunteers and the parish team.
She is a graduate of the school of the Dominican Sisters of Charity of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin and is currently studying Business Administration and Accounting at De Anza College, continually strengthening her academic and professional formation. From a very young age she has been involved in the service of the Catholic Church, volunteering at various parishes and taking an active part in a range of pastoral and community initiatives.
She stands out for her organizational ability, her human warmth and her commitment to service. She enjoys working alongside others and helping to ensure that everyone who comes to the parish feels welcomed, heard and accompanied.
For Sthefany, serving in the Church is far more than a job; it is a vocation that allows her to place her talents at the service of God and the community. Her desire is to contribute each day to making Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish a welcoming, well-organized place where everyone can experience the love of Christ.
Claudia Chavez
Receptionist
Claudia Chavez has been part of the family of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish for more than ten years, during which she served with joy and dedication as a volunteer. For the past three years she has held the position of Parish Receptionist, becoming the first welcoming face for those who visit our community.
She is distinguished by her human warmth, kindness, joy and spirit of service. She is always ready to listen, to offer guidance and to give attentive care to each person who comes to the parish office, making everyone feel welcomed and valued.
For Claudia, serving in the Church is a beautiful way to live her faith and share God’s love with others. Her commitment, generosity and willingness to help make her a deeply valued part of our parish community.