St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Community sits at the corner of Ohio and Selby Avenues in Westwood, on the western edge of the UCLA campus, and its motto - "Wherever you are on your faith journey, you are welcome here" - functions as a mission statement. The parish was founded in 1928 when John Cantwell, the first archbishop of Los Angeles, invited the Paulist Fathers to establish a new church for the Westwood Hills neighborhood, the new university, and what the early records called "the moving picture people." Almost a century later, St. Paul's remains one of the most distinctive Catholic parishes on the Westside, drawing a wide mix of longtime Westwood residents, UCLA students and faculty, and families from across Los Angeles. The parish counts down to its centennial in 2028.
A Paulist Parish, Rooted in a Missionary Vision
The Paulist Fathers shape nearly everything about the parish. Founded in New York City in 1858 by Servant of God Isaac Thomas Hecker and four associates - all converts to Catholicism - the Paulists are the first religious community of priests established in North America. They belong to a small group of Catholic congregations called societies of apostolic life, meaning the priests promise obedience to the Paulist Constitution and pursue their missionary vocation through community life, simplicity, and chastity rather than through the traditional three vows of consecrated life. Their primary work is reaching out to those on the edge of faith and to other Christians seeking unity, and their spirituality centers on the Holy Spirit. That missionary DNA shows up at St. Paul's in the parish's openness to seekers, its longtime ministry at UCLA, its early work with the entertainment industry, and the visible welcome extended to newcomers, returning Catholics, and non-Catholics alike.
Fr. Isaac Hecker's cause for beatification and canonization was formally opened in 2008, conferring on him the title "Servant of God." A prayer for his intercession is regularly offered at St. Paul's, and the parish identifies itself as "a Paulist parish inspired by the vision of Servant of God, Father Isaac Hecker." Paulist Productions, the media arm of the Paulist Fathers, and Busted Halo, the Paulist media ministry for reaching modern audiences, both grew out of the same missionary impulse that first brought the Paulists to Westwood. The parish actively supports the Paulist Communion Project, a Paulist initiative seeking to transcend polarization in the Catholic Church, and respects political and ideological diversity among those who gather at the altar.
A Westwood Institution Since 1928
The first Mass of the new parish was celebrated in 1928 in a storefront at 10374 Ashton Avenue, with a desk serving as the altar. The store's owner, Phil Cohen, had leased the real estate office to the Paulist Fathers. For the next four years, Masses and religious instruction moved from site to site across the neighborhood. In 1932, the Paulists purchased the property at Ohio and Selby Avenues and began construction; the original church was dedicated and went into use late that same year. That building is now the John Carroll Parish Center and Parish Office. The first section of the parish school opened in 1935 and was staffed from its inception by the Daughters of Mary and Joseph.
By the early 1950s, the original building could no longer hold the growing parish and school community. Parishioner support helped break ground for the current church structure in 1956. Construction was completed in the spring of 1958, and the new church, still in use today, was dedicated on the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, June 29, 1958. St. Paul's will celebrate its centennial in 2028, marking a hundred years of continuous Paulist ministry on the same Westwood corner.
Sunday Mass and the Music That Shapes It
Mass at St. Paul's is shaped almost as much by its music as by its architecture. The parish offers five Sunday Masses plus a Saturday Vigil, each with a distinctive musical identity designed to draw the assembly into prayer.
The Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:00 PM is led from the mighty Reuter/Rosales pipe organ and features a mixture of traditional Christian hymnody and classic contemporary Catholic music, sung by cantors and the assembly.
The 7:30 AM Sunday Mass offers a contemplative, softer approach, matching the character of the early hour. The assembly sings with the piano, and sometimes the organ, led by cantors.
The 9:30 AM Sunday Mass is the parish's Family Mass, with families and people of all ages lifted by the energetic and soulful music of the Caritas Choir and Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Joung-A Monica Yum. The Caritas Choir and Ensemble consists of a dedicated volunteer choir, a cantor, melodic instruments, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, and keyboard. Once a month, the St. Paul the Apostle Children's Choir, directed by James Casey, joins the Caritas Choir to lead the assembly in joyful song. The music is generally contemporary in style, though traditional hymns and anthems are also sung.
The 11:30 AM Sunday Mass is the cathedral-style liturgy of the parish. The Schola Cantorum of St. Paul the Apostle, under the direction of Dr. Yum, sings from mid-September through mid-June, drawing from the vast treasury of Catholic Church music: introspective Gregorian chant, Renaissance polyphony, Romantic harmony, and challenging modern gems, all accompanied by rich organ solos and accompaniments played by parish organist James Casey.
The 5:00 PM Sunday Mass is a sunset liturgy filled with the effervescent music of praise provided by the Contemporary Ensemble under Adam Jones. A cantor, oboe, guitar, and piano lead the assembly through the latest contemporary praise and worship songs, along with classic hymns reenvisioned with a contemporary spirit.
Mass is livestreamed each week on the parish's YouTube channel, and recordings remain available afterward. The bulletin, published every weekend with Mass times and intentions, parish updates, and parish news, is also available in print at the church.
Weekday Mass, Confession, and a Place to Pray Quietly
Daily Mass anchors the rhythm of parish life. Morning Mass is offered Monday through Friday at 7:00 AM, with a second Mass each weekday at 5:30 PM and a Saturday morning Mass at 8:30 AM. The Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:00 PM completes the week.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated on Saturday afternoons from 4:00 to 4:45 PM in the church. For those who are homebound, in a nursing home, or otherwise unable to attend Mass, a trained crew of Sunday Visitors brings the Holy Eucharist to the housebound or hospitalized. The quiet hours between Masses offer a sacred space for individuals to meditate, mourn, or escape the stresses of everyday life.
Once or twice a year, the parish gathers for a communal Mass of Anointing for the sick. Outside those communal celebrations, the priests on staff are available to bring the sacrament to the home, hospital, hospice, or nursing home, especially when a medical procedure is planned in advance. In an emergency, the priest on duty can be reached through the Parish Office.
A Building Built to Lift the Heart
The current church, completed in 1958, is a study in mid-century sacred architecture. The most visible feature is twelve massive stained glass windows that soar to the rafters, each telling its own story. A gleaming gold altar mosaic anchors the sanctuary. The art and architecture of the building, from the windows to the mosaic to the Stations of the Cross, are catalogued in detail in the parish's Art & Architecture Digital Booklet, available as a PDF download.
The principal liturgical instrument is a three-manual Reuter/Rosales pipe organ, first built by the Reuter Organ Company in 1959. The Rosales Organ Company began servicing and revoicing the instrument in the 1970s, and thanks to a generous donation from the Sawchuck family, the organ was renovated by Rosales in 2018 with several new additions and a new console. From a humble hum to a raging roar, the organ speaks beautifully into the splendid acoustics of the church. A 7-foot Hamburg Steinway Model B grand piano, located near the St. Joseph statue below the right side of the sanctuary, was donated by the parents of former Director of Music John Wattenbarger. The instrument is suitable for both liturgies and the parish's longstanding Colburn Concert Series.
Outside the building, the parish co-sponsors joint events with neighboring churches and temples, hosting the concerts on campus and gathering with neighbors across the Westside.
Serving at the Altar
A team of lay liturgical ministers supports the priests at every Mass. The work is as much a vocation as a task, and each role carries its own formation and rhythm.
Altar Servers
All registered parishioners in fourth grade or older, including teens and adults, are welcome to serve. Servers must be baptized Roman Catholic, have received First Reconciliation and First Eucharist, and attend Mass regularly; adult servers must also be VIRTUS certified and fingerprinted by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. New servers receive two hours of initial training, four shadowed serves, and an annual 30-minute refresher. Servers carry the cross, the processional candles, hold the book for the priest, prepare the altar, assist in receiving the gifts, wash the hands of the priest, manage the incense, and assist the priest, deacon, and thurifer as needed.
Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Sacristans, and Ushers
Lectors proclaim the first two readings of the liturgy, bringing the printed Word to life for the assembly. Eucharistic Ministers attend a training session, commit to serving at least once a month, and minister communion under both species at their assigned Mass. Sacristans have overall responsibility for the sacristy, preparing the worship space before each Mass and ensuring that servers, lectors, and ministers are present and prepared. Ushers are the first faces newcomers meet as they arrive, greeting each person, arranging gift bearers, seating latecomers, taking up the collection, helping the Communion flow, and assisting those in need. The Hospitality Ministry plans, prepares for, and executes the events and receptions that bring the parish together outside of Mass.
Music ministry personnel include Ann Chen (Assistant Conductor and Alto Section Leader of the Schola), Neil Cole (instrumentalist), Jay Hemphill (bass guitarist), Dr. Gregory Hendy (guitarist), Marie Hodgson (cantor), Dr. Matthew Nielsen (Bass Section Leader and cantor), David Rakita (Tenor Section Leader and cantor), Dr. Arreanna Rostosky (Soprano, Librarian, and cantor), and Haley Slade (Soprano Section Leader and cantor).
Faith Formation from Pre-K Through Adulthood
Faith formation at St. Paul's spans the entire arc of a Catholic life. The parish school serves children on the same campus, while a full complement of parish programs serves those who do not attend Catholic school.
Religious Education for Children
The Religious Education program serves Catholic children from pre-Kindergarten (age four) through eighth grade who do not attend Catholic schools. Sessions meet on Wednesdays from 3:45 to 5:15 PM, mid-September through late May, beginning with snack time in the parish hall and then moving to the school classrooms. The registration fee covers books, materials, insurance, and stipends for the catechists.
Children's Liturgy of the Word
At the 9:30 AM Family Mass, children in kindergarten through fourth grade are invited by the priest to leave the assembly and hear the gospel of the day in language they can understand. Activities help them discuss and grow in their understanding of how Jesus invites them to be his followers. The children return after the homily to rejoin their families for the rest of Mass. There is no fee or pre-registration.
Childcare and Pre-K Sunday School
A dedicated childcare room for children ages two to five operates during the 9:30 AM Family Mass, with drop-off beginning at 9:30 AM. Children sing, read, create, and learn about Jesus in a safe and welcoming environment. Pre-K Sunday School Ministry prepares young children to follow Jesus daily.
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
The parish's OCIA process welcomes anyone curious about becoming Catholic - baptized or not, seekers and doubters, and Catholics who have fallen away and would like to return. The OCIA meets weekly on Wednesdays at 7:30 PM under the direction of Fr. Mark Villano, C.S.P. An adapted OCIA for Children and Their Parents meets on Sundays for children eight and older who have not yet been baptized or who were baptized but have not yet made their First Communion.
Bible Study, Faith Sharing, and Meditation
Bible Study and Faith Sharing groups meet throughout the parish. A Women's Faith Sharing group is led by Claire Henning, and the parish has gathered small faith sharing communities that meet in homes and on campus. A regular Meditation ministry offers a quieter contemplative practice open to all.
STARS, PALM, and VIA: Three Communities Within the Parish
Three named communities give the parish its intergenerational character. Each gathers under its own banner with its own leaders, programming, and rhythm.
STARS (Seniors)
STARS serves adults over the age of 50 with monthly luncheons, speakers and presentations, occasional spiritual exercises, and periodic half-day bus trips to attractions around the greater Los Angeles area. The group has traveled together on Jubilee Pilgrimages and gathers regularly for Catholic Conversations, Lenten Recollections, and discussion of recent papal encyclicals.
PALM (Middle Agers)
PALM brings together the middle-age generation of the parish for fellowship, service, and formation. The group's signature program is Praise & Planks, a one-hour Mat Pilates class set to worship music, focused on gratitude, gentle strength, and prayerful movement. Classes are open to all levels and all ages, with no experience needed.
VIA (Young Adults)
Founded by the Paulist Fathers at St. Paul's, VIA serves young adults in their twenties and thirties with a year-round rhythm of faith, community, and service. Marian Devotion gathers on Monday evenings at a VIA member's Westwood home to pray the Rosary, with Adoration in the church on the first Monday of each month. Faith Sharing meets on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in the Multipurpose Room of the Parish Office. Summer programming has included botanical art classes, beach days, and backyard dance parties. VIA communicates primarily through a group WhatsApp and an Instagram feed.
Reaching Out from Westwood
The parish takes its mission to "bring peace, seek unity, and reach out to neighbors" into the wider Los Angeles community through a deep bench of ongoing outreach ministries.
Habitat for Humanity organizes community build days a few times each year, both on the parish campus and at off-campus sites with Habitat LA. The proceeds support the organization's Home Preservation Program, which provides critical home repairs for aging adults, veterans, and local low-income families. The parish has helped lead Habitat builds dedicated to helping wildfire survivors in the Pacific Palisades and Malibu.
Sandwich Builders brings school and parish families together on select Fridays during the school year to build sandwiches and sack lunches for the unhoused population served by the Union Rescue Mission in downtown Los Angeles. The lunches are boxed, loaded into the cars of volunteers, and delivered to the Mission on Saturday mornings.
St. Robert's Center outreach sends a team every six weeks on Saturday mornings to serve Catholic Charities' outreach to the homeless of West Los Angeles and Santa Monica, preparing and distributing sandwiches, sack lunches, coffee, breakfast, groceries, and clothes, and chatting with clients to learn their stories. Children 14 and older can participate when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Inside Safe partners with the City of Los Angeles to build hygiene kits and write welcome letters for unhoused individuals at the moment they receive temporary housing through the Inside Safe program.
The annual Thanksgiving Food Drive collects bags of Thanksgiving meal supplies, including a $25 grocery gift card for a turkey. The school's Student Council organizes the bags and helps load them onto a truck for delivery to St. Joseph's Center. At Christmas, the parish adopts up to 12 families through Miracles for Kids, hanging a giving tree in the church with gift tags for each family member.
The parish partners with the UCLA Blood and Platelet Center to host periodic blood drives on campus, supporting patients at UCLA hospitals. The parish also supports Together in Mission, the annual appeal of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles that sustains parishes and schools in economically disadvantaged communities, and contributes to Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, which operates food distribution services, community centers, homeless shelters, youth and senior programs, and immigrant and refugee assistance across Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties.
St. James Inn, founded in 1988 by the late Fr. Patrick Traynor, C.S.P., and rooted in the parish community, provides free lodging to family members of patients receiving critical inpatient medical treatment at the UCLA Health System and other nearby hospitals. St. James Inn now operates three homes and has provided more than 27,000 guest days at no cost to guests; parishioners continue to serve on its Board of Directors and fundraising committee.
The parish participates in the global Synod on Synodality launched by Pope Francis in 2021, with a parish-level Synod Committee that led a listening process inclusive of inactive and former Catholics and non-Catholics, and submitted a synthesis to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
The Seven Sacraments
The parish prepares members for each of the seven Catholic sacraments.
Baptism usually takes place on Saturday mornings or afternoons for infants, with a required preparation class for first-time parents and godparents offered by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Baptisms are generally not celebrated during the 40 days of Lent. Children over seven and unbaptized adults prepare through the OCIA process.
First Eucharist and Confirmation are prepared through the parish school and the Religious Education program, with Confirmation preparation coordinated separately. Reconciliation is celebrated in the Saturday communal schedule and by appointment.
Anointing of the Sick is offered to anyone facing danger from sickness or old age, and the parish holds a communal Mass of Anointing once or twice a year. Holy Matrimony preparation involves the priests and the parish's music ministry, which helps couples plan music for the wedding liturgy. Holy Orders discernment is supported through the Paulist vocations culture; the parish community has sent several young men into ordination with the Paulist Fathers over the years.
Funerals are coordinated with the parish, with the music ministry providing sympathetic music planning and high-quality musicians to ensure that memorial services minister to the bereaved. Sacramental records - Baptismal, First Eucharist, Confirmation, and Marriage certificates - can be requested through the parish office.
Parish School and Safeguarding Children
The parish school, St. Paul the Apostle School, shares the Westwood campus with the church and the parish office, providing Catholic education from the earliest grades through the elementary years. The school's music teacher directs the parish's Children's Choir, which joins the Caritas Choir once a month for the Family Mass, weaving the school community directly into the liturgical life of the parish.
The parish follows the Archdiocese of Los Angeles's comprehensive child protection program. All clergy, paid parish and school personnel, and volunteers who work regularly in a supervisory role with children or youth must be fingerprinted and complete VIRTUS training. The Safeguard the Children program provides ongoing education and resources to prevent child sexual abuse, and the Victims Assistance Ministry supports survivors of sexual misconduct. The parish adheres to the Archdiocese's Zero Tolerance Policy and the requirements of Megan's Law, and publishes reports and audit summaries as part of the broader archdiocesan accountability structure.
Parish registration is open to all newcomers. A printable registration form can be mailed, emailed, or dropped off at the Parish Office at 1526 Selby Avenue. Online giving is available through the parish's Pushpay portal, and the parish maintains active presences on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Mass is livestreamed each week on the parish YouTube channel. The parish bulletin is published every weekend, and a weekly newsletter from Fr. Gil arrives by email each Thursday. Newcomers are encouraged to introduce themselves to Fr. Gil Martinez at any of the weekend Masses.