Clergy
Rev. Oscar Mendez, OFM
Pastor
Fr. Oscar is a native of El Salvador, Central America. He came to the U.S.A. in 1972, and graduated from San Francisco State University in 1977, with a B.A. in Cell Biology. He entered the Franciscans while living in San Francisco in 1982, and studied at F.S.T. (Franciscan School of Theology) in Berkeley. He was ordained to the priesthood on Dec 16, 1989. His first assignment was as a parochial vicar at St. Anthony of Padua church in San Francisco. He went back to his country to study medicine and graduated in 2000. He practiced medicine for several years. Fr. Oscar has been a pastor at St. Anthony’s in San Francisco, and St. Elizabeth’s in Oakland. He served as Vocations Director for three years with the Franciscans and came to Mission San Luis Rey Parish in April of 2018 as Associate Pastor. He has also been working as a Formation Director for the past year. Fr. Oscar began serving as our pastor on July 1, 2020.
Deacon Lyle Blackmon
Director of Catechetical Ministry
Hello! My name is Deacon Lyle Blackmon. I have been a deacon for over five years now. I have been a parishioner/deacon on Camp Pendleton for thirty-six years. My journey and calling to becoming a deacon are a combination of many churches, people, and spiritual events. To all I am eternally grateful. I am a retired Marine and college professor for many years. I have been married for forty years to my beautiful wife Emi, and have two grown kids and two growing grandchildren. See you in church! Peace and All Good.
Faith Formation
Deacon Lyle Blackmon
Director of Catechetical Ministry
Hello! My name is Deacon Lyle Blackmon. I have been a deacon for over five years now. I have been a parishioner/deacon on Camp Pendleton for thirty-six years. My journey and calling to becoming a deacon are a combination of many churches, people, and spiritual events. To all I am eternally grateful. I am a retired Marine and college professor for many years. I have been married for forty years to my beautiful wife Emi, and have two grown kids and two growing grandchildren. See you in church! Peace and All Good.
Youth Ministry
Jazmyn Cabrera
Youth Minister
I have grown up here at Mission San Luis Rey Parish since I was seven years old. My relationship with my faith began when a priest from the Parish showed me how to play a few chords on the guitar to a song called Alabaré. I fell in love with the guitar as well as worshiping God through music. From there, I became more involved in the church through the music ministry which led to further service including Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers, Social Outreach, Youth Ministry, and eventually as a Catechist for the Confirmation program. I have always felt the calling to serve God and my community. My lovely parents, three sisters and I are all active parishioners here at the Mission. I love collecting crosses to hang up on my cross wall! One of my favorite saints is St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, reading, playing guitar, and spending time with my family and friends. Please keep me and our ministry in your prayers.”
“He crecido aquí en la Parroquia Misión San Luis Rey desde que tenía 7 años. Mi relación con mi fe comenzó cuando un sacerdote de la Parroquia me enseñó a tocar unos acordes en la guitarra de la cancion Alabaré. Me enamoré de la guitarra y de adorar a Dios a través de la música. A partir de ahí, me involucré más en la iglesia sirviendo en el ministerio de la música. Segui con mi servicio en los ministerios de Acolitos, Eucaristía, la Casa de Loretto, Grupo de Jovenes y como catequista para el programa de Confirmación. Siempre he sentido el llamado a servir a Dios y a mi comunidad. Mis queridos padres, tres hermanas, y yo somos activos aquí en la Paroquia. ¡Me encanta coleccionar cruces para colgar en mi pared de cruces! Mi santo favorito es la Santa Madre Teresa de Calcuta. En mi tiempo libre me gusta cocinar, leer, tocar la guitarra y estar con mi familia y amigos. Por favor, manténganme a mí y a nuestro ministerio en sus oraciones."
Liturgy and Music
Kerey Quaid, MTS
Music Director
Kerey Quaid was born and raised in Fremont, California. He studied Creative Arts and Music at San Jose State University. He has been a music minister since 1982, and that has been his vocation for twenty-eight years. He has a Master of Theological Studies from the Franciscan School of Theology. He and his wife, Randi, moved from Fremont to Oceanside eight years ago.
Francisco Osio
Associate Music Director
Our parish welcomes Francisco Osio, a long-time parishioner, to the position of Associate Music Director.
Francisco’s whole family has participated in our parish music program for years, and he has already been leading the music for most of the Saturday afternoon masses, and for the Sunday 5 p.m. mass, for many months now.
As many of us already know he is deeply devoted to God and our community, sharing his talents here while completing his studies in engineering. His more extensive and varied duties will be a great help to our worship music program!
Social Outreach
Grisel Barrios
Food Pantry
LORETTO HOUSE FOOD PANTRY / DESPENSA DE ALIMENTOS CASA LORETTO
Thank you for your ongoing support to refill our Food Pantry. Your generous donations help assist many who come to our door looking for assistance. The Loretto Food Pantry is available: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, from 9 am to 2:30 pm.
Most Needed Items Include: Rice, beans, eggs, top ramen (chicken/beef), canned soup/chili, boxed dinners, canned fruit or vegetables, canned meats (tuna, chicken, ham), peanut butter and jelly, macaroni and cheese, crackers, granola bars, boxed cereal. Various toiletries are also appreciated.
Gracias por su apoyo continuo para rellenar nuestra Despensa de Alimentos. Sus generosas donaciones ayudan a asistir a muchos que vienen a nuestra puerta en busca de ayuda. La Despensa de Alimentos Loretto está disponible: martes, miércoles y Jueves, de 9 am a 2:30pm.
Los Artículos Más Necesarios Incluyen: Arroz, frijol, huevo, sopas ramen, sopa enlatada, cenas en caja, frutas o verduras enlatadas, carnes enlatadas (atún, pollo, jamón), crema de cacahuate y mermelada, macarrones con queso, galletas saladas, barras de granola, cereal en caja. También se agradecen artículos de higiene.
Administrative Services
Gwyn Grimes
Parish Administrator
I’m originally from Ohio but moved to California with my family after high school graduation. I attended Chapman University where I received my Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. I worked for many years in finance in the medical manufacturing field, but after volunteering for several non-profit organizations I realized that working in a non-profit setting was where I saw my future. I was blessed to become a part of the Mission staff in 2010 as the Director of Finance. In 2018 I took over as the Executive Director at the Mission and Parish Administrator at the Parish. I love to read, go to the movies, hike, play board games, and card games, and bake.
Shirley González
Pastoral Associate
Shirley González serves as Pastoral Associate, sharing responsibility for the daily pastoral care of the faithful. Shirley’s competence and compassion find expression in a wide range of services to Mission San Luis Rey Parish. From Baptisms to Funerals or Weddings, and many years of service in parish administration, Shirley supports the priests and staff to work creatively and cooperatively in a lively, faith-filled community. Shirley is happily married with two beautiful children.
Elizabeth Rose
Bookkeeper
Elizabeth has worked in the field of accounting for over 25 years and has been the bookkeeper for Mission San Luis Rey since March of 2013. She grew up in Hemet, CA and graduated from San Diego State University with a BS in Business Management. After spending some years living in Montana, Massachusetts, and Georgia, she settled in Oceanside in 2001. Elizabeth and her two children have been parishioners of MSLRP since 2007. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, concerts and traveling.
Karen Willson
Director of IT/Communications
Karen Willson is the Director of IT and Communications for Mission San Luis Rey Parish. Her background includes Computer Science teacher for six years, magazine editor, writer, producer, production manager, and public relations manager for a wide range of projects for children and adults: drama, educational and online multimedia, special effects, and live shows. With her husband and writing partner, Chris Weber, Karen has written more than 50 produced children's television shows for companies such as CBS, Disney, Warner Brothers, Filmation, TMS and many more.
Facilities & Rentals
Giovanni Dominguez
Facilities Manager
Born and raised in San Diego, CA. I moved to Oceanside when I was very small and have not moved since. I have been married for over ten years and have three lovely boys. Both of my parents were born and raised in Tonatico, Estado de Mexico.
I have been a hand-drawn artist all my life since I was a very small boy. I remember drawing hand-drawn birthday cards for my parents. I currently continue to create art but through a different medium which is photography. I love to take landscape photography and portraits. There is just so much peace and tranquility being out in nature and just taking in that sunset or that view of mountains. I find peace being with nature and it gives me time to pray. Some of my main hobbies are drawing, painting, photography, graphic design, videography, and playing soccer.
I have a very diverse educational background, I recently received my Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certificate, Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) & CPR/AED certification. I have also studied graphic design, and art & design to expand my creativity with my hobbies.
I previously just worked at the Mission San Luis Rey Retreat Center for four years. The last year at the mission I worked as a security guard while also helping out at the Retreat Center. Prior to working at the Mission San Luis Rey, I worked as the Purchasing Manager at the Five Star, Five Diamond Awarded, The Lodge at Torrey Pines Resort & Spa in La Jolla, CA. This resort sits right next to the world-famous Torrey Pines Golf Course, home of the annual Farmers Insurance Open and 2008, 2021 U.S. Open. Former President Barrack Obama & Donald Trump, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and many other professional athletes and celebrities have played at this famous golf course and have also stayed at The Lodge at Torrey Pines.
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