On May 1, 1981, Father Michael J. Dillon became the pastor of the newly formed parish of Rocklin, Loomis, Penryn and surrounding areas. The Catholic families in the whole parish numbered less than 550 at the time.
The first task was to name the parish. Father Dillon invited the parishioners to submit names and after a lot of discussion, the name of SS. Peter & Paul was selected.
A Parish Council was elected in order to assist Father Dillon. In February 1982, a professional fundraiser was employed to help raise funds. The parishioners pledged generously, and at the end of the drive, $642,000 was raised. The parishioners of St. Rose, under the direction of Father Michael Cormack, pledged an additional $100,000. Due to the generous response, both a church and social hall were built. The parish council then appointed various committees to study the needs of the parish from the point of view of worship, education, and social life.
On April 17, 1983, the Most Reverend Francis A. Quinn officiated at the groundbreaking of the new church site. The building began one month later. A cornerstone from the
Old St. Mary’s church was laid in the front of the new SS. Peter & Paul church to express the continuity of the former and new parishes. In May of 1991, Bishop Quinn returned for the groundbreaking ceremony of a religious education center, and an improved parking lot. In 2001, expansion continued with the building of a multipurpose room, and a new administration center to accommodate the growing parish.
After 28 years of service, Father Dillon retired on July 1, 2009 and was named
pastor emeritus. A bell tower was constructed at the entrance of the church and was used for the first time at a special mass that Father Dillon celebrated, ending his tenure as the first and founding pastor of SS. Peter & Paul Parish.
Bishop Jaime Soto appointed
Father Stanley Poltorak as our new pastor to guide the community. Prior to coming to SS. Peter & Paul, Fr. Stanley served as pastor of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Truckee, California. On Sunday, August 23, 2009, Bishop Soto formally installed Fr. Stanley as the second pastor of SS. Peter & Paul. Father Stanley’s tenure as shepherd of the parish emphasized the personal call to growth and strengthening of faith through prayer, devotion and adoration with the addition of a prayer chapel, outdoor and indoor stations of the cross and the statue of the Blessed Mother on the east side of the church. With his encouragement and support the parish invested in an audiovisual system throughout the campus with the portion of the funds coming back to the parish from the One Campaign. In response to the Holy Father’s call to protect the environment and as a means of reducing operating costs, Father initiated the replacement of the parking lot and all exterior and interior lighting with LED fixtures as well as a solar energy system that will provide 100% of the energy needs of the parish campus.
In June 2016 and after seven years as pastor of SS. Peter & Paul, Bishop Soto called Father to serve as pastor of Presentation Parish in Sacramento.
Bishop Soto appointed Father Bony Arackal to serve as Parochial Administrator of SS. Peter & Paul effective Jul
y 15, 2016. Father Bony was born in India. He completed his Theological studies at St. Joseph Pontifical Institute, Karla, India. He was ordained priest by Bishop Stephen Athipozhiyi in Alleppey, India on May 12, 1993. Father arrived to Sacramento Diocese in November 2006 and served as Parochial Vicar at St. Basil Parish, Vallejo; St. Joseph Parish, Elk Grove and St. John the Baptist, Folsom. His most recent assignment has been at St. Patrick Parish, Weaverville, as Parochial Administrator.
Currently, the parish is nearly five times its original size, with approximately 2,600 registered families. There are a dozen full and part-time staff members to fill the positions of clergy, secretary, bookkeeper, music, liturgy, coordinators of religious education and maintenance. With approximately 1,000 students in faith formation there is a constant flurry of activities. Additionally, SS. Peter & Paul has several active groups serving the needs of the parish community and reaching out to those in need in the nearby area. Each year, SS. Peter & Paul initiates over 200 new members through Baptism, over 150 children celebrate First Eucharist and over 100 are Confirmed. Additionally, numerous marriages and memorial masses are celebrated each year.
The atmosphere at SS. Peter & Paul is full of the Holy Spirit and love for the Lord. We go in peace to love and serve the Lord!
For more information on Fr. Michael Dillon, founding pastor,
click here.