I've been going to this church for as long as I can remember. 10+ years, I believe. I was here when Fr. Arcamo was still here, then got promoted as Monsignor...then left to minister at a church in SF, then Fr. Flannigan took over...then Fr. Al Furtado, and now, Monsignor Tarantino. During elementary-middle school, I was an alter server, later got confirmed, and now participates in the church choir every now and then. My parents are both very involved in the church as well. The reason as to why our family chose to stay here for this long is mainly because of its close-knit community. Everyone knows everyone, parishioners are very welcoming and welcome anyone to also get involved in the church. From my knowledge, I believe over 75% of the regular parishioners are involved in someway to the church, which says a lot about our service to the community. Every 3rd Sunday, we typically have light snacks/lunch in our community center and we definitely go all-out during every event. We LOVE food and I believe this is the best place to try various ethnic food such as: Italian, Indian, Filipino, Chinese, etc. If you are a food lover, I highly recommend coming here as we love to plan occasional pot lucks for our parishioners and pastors! You can shine by presenting your best homemade dish! In regard to church ceremony, Monsignor Tarantino is an amazing speaker! He's definitely someone you need to listen to at least ONCE in your life. He has changed our entire perspective of the way we read the Bible, how we conduct mass, and go-fourth in our everyday lives as Christians. When it's his turn to speak, he doesn't just stand behind the podem and reads off a script - he gets all of us involved, encourages us to ask questions, answer questions, and grasp a full understanding of what that day's readings were all about. He is as real as it can get. Never once is he boring to listen to. His process totally differs that from other pastors. Attend one of our masses and you'll totally understand what I'm talking about! :) read more

St Mark's Catholic Church - "Thank you" cakes for Fr. Al! - Churches Near Me - Belmont, California

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Father Angel is by far the best priest amongst the all others. i love when he gives homily always hit the heart core and his words are always so powerful and touching to hear. The Bible verses and stories and stories are always the most beautiful one. read more

St Mark's Catholic Church - First Sunday Advent Mass - Churches Near Me - Belmont, California

Very welcoming and small environment. Fr. Angel is so inspiring with his sermons, you will not be disappointed. Saturday after 4:30 Mass a weekly communal potluck to enjoy the company of other parishioners and get to know them better. read more

This is a very modest church with the heart of the community behind it. I've been searching for a church just like this ever since I've moved to Belmont. I'm not into all the flashy religious stuff some Church's spend with our donation money, what I want is a place to connect with God. It so happens that I was walking in the neighborhood behind my apartment complex, I found this church tucked within suburbia. At night there is a cute little church cat that is so loving. She comes running up to you for a pet. I looked at her collar and she does belong to the church. Just a cute side note. Oh the priests here are very laid back, haven't gone to enough masses to give input, but so far so good. read more

So first off, I really can't give a church anything but a 5 star rating, but this church is special. Sure a church in California would be pretty much empty, but this church has a special parishioner... JAMBO THE CAT! Seriously, who wouldn't want to go to a Catholic church that has a mascot?!?! Jambo even led the procession once... but then again at the end of one mass, he also made a lot of noise by hopping on some candles... I love how welcoming the people at this church were, and I loved Jambo. If you are visiting the area, I definitely recommend St. Mark's! read more

This church is at a great location and close to the freeway for those wanting to go to a morning mass or adoration. But despite how covid having affected everyone as I understand, there is a lot of room for improvement. Compared to other Catholic churches on the Peninsula with a more relaxed feeling upon entering for mass - the ushers and all their movement, walking, pacing, over-offering of assistance, not allowing seating in clearly open, distanced, and marked seats, and all the talking amongst themselves right in the middle of mass, becomes very overbearing and distracting and takes away from a potential peaceful mass experience like other masses on the peninsula. Others may have a more peaceful experience from entering, during, and upon leaving mass. read more

I walked out of the Mass when the "social justice" prayer was displayed on the wall and all of the attendees starting reading it. No where in the prayer, that I saw anyway, mentioned to have respect for our great country, to respect the men and women who serve to keep us free, and to respect all of the police officers and others who serve to protect us. I will never go back to this church. read more

I was so happy to find this church in 2002 - I went to so many different Catholic churches around Belmont (yes, too many of them in the area LOL) and before I finally settled at St. Mark's. It's not the most beautiful or decorated, the old roof had seen better days and it had no bench chairs with kneelers. It's sad looking but happy people were inside led by Fr. Flanagan with his assistant Fr. Al. Fast forward, the charismatic figure Fr. Flanagan passed away in 2003 (I believe) and this noble man donated his money for the church's roof and chairs. The roof, lighting, altar carpet and brown plactic chairs are now gone, you can see these chairs only at the last row and in the parish center. The church is now pimped out but it's still looking humble and beautiful. Fr. Al is now the parish priest, he's easy to talk like a friend to me and my family. The people here are nice too, many volunteers help out the church and youth programs for the youngsters. I love this place. read more

We've been coming here for awhile now.is because we moved to Belmont near the church.the parishioners are very friendly.the priest sermon was very clear and easy to understand.I'm thinking of joining choir.overall, excellent service. read more

I can honestly say that St. Mark's Parish saved my life. I was away from the Church for many years and suffered a definite spiritual crisis. After reading the Yelp reviews, I called St. Mark's--help--911!!! ;( I met with Father Al, the pastor of St. Mark's Catholic Church. Father Al helped me back to spiritual sanity. He suggested "Inclusive Journalism" (developed by Ira Progoff), which really helped me get out some demons from my past. He also suggested tailored spiritual reading that helped me in immeasurable ways. Father Al doesn't tell you what you want to hear, but what you need to hear. This is of the utmost value when you are in dire need of help. He says the greatest gift he gives is the Eucharist, and this is true, but the time he took to listen to me, and help me thru a very difficult time was of immense value as well! In addition, the scripture class here is wonderful. Father Ed, the parishioners, and staff are all down-to-earth, loving people. It is with great pleasure I highly recommend St. Marks Catholic Church! :) read more

I found this church a couple years ago when I was staying in Foster City a couple nights. Funny that the church I go to in San Marcos, CA is also St. Mark's. I go to the 11:30am Sunday mass. The choir is good. An all Filipino choir. The cantor is amazing. She sounds like Lea Salonga. Today was the first time they used their new "state-of-the-art" sound system. It truly is and I can hear the priest and readings a lot clearer. I will continue going to this church when I am in the Bay Area. read more

I like this church and Father Al's sermons are very good. Try to catch his masses. The church is simple and people are very friendly without being intrusive. Music is good, too. I don't feel pressure to really dress up like I feel when going to some other churches in the Bay Area. I also highly recommend attending the half hour Rosary (Mon/Tues/Wed at 7:30 PM) you can just follow it as the nice ladies there are a pro at it and they help newcomers, and it is such a nice way to finish your day... A nice meditation, you don't need to know a thing, it is a beautiful half hour and you will not regret in case you try one of these nights. Father Al is very good at confessions, too. (Saturdays 4 to 5). Please check all times in case it changes... I am not involved with their many great activities yet but keep planning to! And this is the place to get involved. Nice church! Nice people. Good religion. I attend an average of 2 masses a month there and 2 at other churches due to scheduling. read more

I would like to have belonged to this Parish, were I hear for long, but I'm here for only 2 months. The Church is beautiful and inviting. The people are friendly. There are a lot of activities going on from what I have seen and read. And the priests encourage and initiate activities for parishioners to interact. That's a very good way to feel you belong. I may be wrong, but what I felt was it would be great to see more youth around and involved, though efforts are being made by the Parish Priest, Fr Al, to woo them into the limelight. read more

Father Flanagan was a wonderfull priest for which my family really appreciated for many years and I was saddened to learn of his passing back in 2003. We enjoy going to the church because it is situated in a quite neighborhood . The mass sermon was outstanding and the church members were really excellent people. Later on a member told me to join the Knight of Columbus and that is how I was able to meet and talk to Father Al who became a family mentor and also became my brother in KC. We have a KC meeting every once in a while to discuss project and what assignment each one of us need to do. The project I was inclined to do was consist of raising funds like making pancakes to serve with mass goer and cleaning up the church the day before the mass. I believe there are several project KC does like responding to emergency call but didnt have the chance to get involve with it. Father Al was an excellent priest, a down to earth person and funny at times. He knows how to make people at ease and always ready to function as a good priest. read more