St Dominic's Catholic Church - Dominican Friars
2390 Bush St
(between Pierce St & Steiner St)
San Francisco, CA 94115 (415) 567-7824
5 reviews
Neighborhood: Haight-Ashbury
"Yelp? Is there a sixth star I can add here?? This is what church is supposed to be like: all sorts of people from all walks of life, forming…" read more »
21 Reviews for St Dominic's Catholic Church - Dominican Friars
This parish reminds me of home. It's big enough to remind you that you're in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ and small enough to be as inclusive as a small, neighbourhood parish. I love how the Dominicans are thoughtful, reflective and proactive. This parish truly contributes to the Diocese of SF and makes me be proud to be a Catholic Christian.
Plusses: The RCIA group is/was stellar (Thanks Scott). The choir is outstanding and Parish lectures are really a treat. Oh..and Father X is a really cool guy, too. ;)
This is an amazing parish, where the doors are always open, there is always a mass going on (6 on Sunday alone!), the priests and friars are friendly and wonderful, and the beauty of the art and architecture is overwhelming.
I'm personally a fan of the 5:30 PM Sunday contemporary mass. The crowd is younger, the music is good, and 5:30 PM means you don't have to drag yourself out of bed too early.
The 11:30 AM solemn mass is also excellent, with amazing choir music and the full-on "high mass" experience.
There are a wealth of ministry, social, and service opportunities - check out the web site to learn more.
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I love going to church here on Sunday!! It absolutely beautiful inside!! There's not a single bad thing I could say about this place!!
LOVE IT
I think I'm going to get married here.
The end.
I sometimes go to the 2:pmish Spanish speaking mass because I don't really understand Spanish, but I love the spirituality and icons, but not the dogma. The flamenco guitar is fantastic and I love the marching around with the gold crossy thing. With the Gothic architecture and incense, I truly feel closer to a higher power of some sort.
I also like to light candles and say the prayer to St. Jude Thaddeus, which they give away on little cards. I don't really understand what I am doing, but it does seem to help, especially when I use the prayer for the people who irritate me.
St. Dominic's is an amazing Catholic community. For serving such a large and diverse population, I am constantly surpised at how much this Parish feels like the smaller parishes I remember from my childhood. The Dominicans and staff do a fantastic job of offering an array of programs and masses that appeal to different tastes and styles of spirituality, as well as help people at all stages of their faith journey continue to learn and grow.
The absolute best thing about St. Dominic's is its strong music program. Each of the Sunday masses has a distinct musical style (contemporary, family mass, traditional). The 11:30 Solemn Mass Choir is hands down one of THE BEST choirs in San Francisco. The choir performs a full spectrum of liturgical music, including Gregorian Chant, motets and anthems.
I also highly recommend the Young Adults Group for people in their 20s and 30s. It is a great way to connect with other young Catholics. Check it out at: http://www.stdominics....
Forget all the bad things of the Catholic Church and come to St. Dominic's. I'm not even Catholic but I enjoy the space, the message, and the liturgy.
Man, I am not converted yet, but do I want to find that Catholic boy just to convert and get married here!!! The parrish even had the deep pockets to retrofit with Gothic cement wings after the 1989 earthquake, so if you feel a trembler during the ceremony, it should like shake the earth and hear the brimstone, but noooo fire in this stone and wooden doored confessional.
the grounds leading to the entrance...very enticing...weren't the Dominican Friars involved in the starting the Spanish Inquisition?...hummm I didn't do it...honest...I'm a virgin...
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Beautiful space, amazing yet comforting and cozy. The 5:30 on Sundays is a great liturgy with all kinds of people, families, elderly couples, young adults, good looking gay guys. Music was great. homilies interesting. One time after mass they had a wine and cheese get together in the center, now how good is that? Would you get that with the Baptists?
Beautiful amazing church rich with history. Every time I go into this building it takes my breath away. And there are always people in there, whether just to look around, light some candles, say a few prayers or just be in a quiet place to re-center themselves. I especially love the St. Jude Shrine. It brings hope and comfort to so many people. I could not imagine not being a Catholic. I have huge respect for all faiths: as long as people have something to believe in, that is a wonderful and uplifting thing. But being a practicing Catholic forever has helped me through many bad times, and make the good times that much sweeter because I have a greater power to say Thank You to... and I have often times done it in this very church.
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Writing a review about a church. Who knew this was possible???
The thing about St Dominic's is... well... it rocks. Everything from the Dominicans to the architecture to the people who go there make this place special and welcoming. The Church was built in a Gothic style, with flying buttresses, stained glass, and all the works. Around Christmastime, they've even got the most massive Christmas trees set up around the altar -- beautiful isn't enough to describe it. Let's try awe-inspiring.
The different services seem to cater to different crowds. There are family masses on Sunday mornings plus (if you love old church choirs) there's a mass at 11.30 featuring a full choir with proper robes. Pretty amazing. The Mass I go to is the 5.30pm Sunday services, which I've found has a younger audience with working professionals and young families. The music's pretty good at this Mass too, but instead of a church organ, you've got bass and drums.
The priests there are a pretty laid back bunch, with Fr. Xavier, Fr. Steve, and Fr. Francis. Good sermons too!
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This church is my guilty pleasure. I come here and sit (and jump up, and kneel, and jump up, and stand) my disaffected, non-practicing ass through Mass, just for the choir. It's a musical affinity of mine that not even friends and family know about. The sound that comes out of the choir makes me tear up. Maybe it's the evil coming out of me. Sometimes, I get the bread too... standard Catholic culinary fare, I'd have to say. Scroogey on the yeast. Only one per customer. They'll pair it with reds, or whites, but it's the house's pick.
The sermons ain't so painful. I've had worse in my former lifetime as an obendient Catholic schoolgirl. The priest tries to make funny speeches while your party digests its food and drink.
Still, I feel like a liar coming in there. God knows I only show up for the free concert. If I really want to commune with God, I've learned to have a Bluetooth conversation. Just like the yuppies with the earpieces who power-walk down FiDi, who gesture wildly and have a loud verbal exchange with someone who isn't there. Only I don't own a Bluetooth. That's right: talking to God, a la Tenderloin crackhead.
So I'm bringing my recorder to the next Mass. Having the choir on playback is just better for everyone involved.
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I heard from friends St. Dominic's had a wonderful traditional choir - so this past First Sunday of Advent, we went to their Candlelit Advent Carols and Lessons service.
We were not disappointed. I mean can I tell you? Goosebumps. Really - goosebumps - So beautiful - near tears. The candles and the Gothic-style church and the stunning old carols (a acapella and with organ). A deeply moving start to the Advent season.
I'm happy we'll be in the City for Christmas this year - since they have a Carol program at 11.15pm right before the Midnight Mass and I am very much looking forward to the singing and the choir and the dark and the candles and then going home to a nice big late night snack.
(note - I was a little bummed by the 11.15 carol program because they included alot of carols that no one knew, so how could we sing along?)
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Yep, I'll admit.
I don't go that often. Maybe a little over a half dozen times a year.
However, I am extremely thankful to have St. Dominic's in my neighborhood. The masses are a pleasant experience and the facility is pleasing to the soul.
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When I moved into the neighborhood they sent a little "welcome" card. I felt that was very thoughtful considering I'm a heathen.
Also, the flock are very considerate drivers when exiting Sunday mass. Woot.
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If you ever want to meet me personally, this is one of the best places to find me!
I originally came to the church two years ago based on the recommendation of my landlords when I first moved to San Francisco. I was immediately hooked by the welcoming atmosphere that the entire parish creates. Whether it be the Dominican Friars and their amazing preaching, the young adult group and its always open arms or the parish at large that is always ready to greet new members, this church is one of the finest in the cities.
St. Dominic's, run by the Dominican Order, has some of the best preaching in San Francisco. If you're used to Dominican Spirituality, you won't regret coming here. If you're not used to it, you'll soon learn to appreciate it and then you'll have a hard time going back to the preaching of any other order.
This parish is particularly great for Young Adults. With one of the most active Young Adult Groups in the Bay Area, people from 18-39 will find a very welcoming group that meets regularly for both spiritual enlightenment and social activities. More than a few couples have met in this group and later been married, though that isn't the purpose of the group at all. The group is open to single and married people alike.
The parish offers 7 masses every Sunday, including a Solemn High Mass at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday and a Contemporary Mass at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. If you're looking for a welcoming, enlightening and intellectual community, this is the one for you.
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St. Dom's is the home I never knew I was missing. Truly amazing!
St. D's is amazing. A rather liberal parish where the main message you hear isn't one of condemnation, but rather, 'God is Love. Period.' Father Xavier is the bomb & the church itself is just incredible. Big bonus points for the Mary shrine in the parking lot where people leave candles, flowers, and their prayers. A very accepting, warm, loving place. Two snaps up!
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St. Dom's is the bomb. Seriously, if you're catholic (or not) and you're looking for a great contemporary mass, try St. Dominic's 5:30 Sunday mass. It has a great welcoming vibe and the music is superb. The priests, Fr Francis and Fr. Xavier, at St. Dom's are also awesome. Super friendly and down to earth. I highly recommend going to mass here. You'll find me there every Sunday.
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This church is so beautifulI find the Dominicans very friendly and down to earth. They welcome everyone into their church. I would go here vs St. Ignatius Church @ USF my alma mater. I like to attend the 11:30 am Sunday mass. The choir is just beautiful..
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This is where I come for inspiration-from the amazing architecture to the wonderful choir. I attend the Sunday 5:30 PM contemporary mass. The homilies are relevant and the parish is rich with diversity and with opportunity for involvement.
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