THE SVD Western Province
The Western USA (USW) province began in 1964. The main ministries were a minor seminary in Riverside, California, staffing a high school in the Watts district of Los Angeles and serving the needs of Japanese and Black Catholics in the Bay area. Through the years we have increased our presence in parishes and ministries in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego, Oakland and San Francisco.
The headquarters of the Provincial is in Riverside, CA. the site of the original minor seminary.
The USA Western Province is located in California, in the southwestern part of the United States of America, on the Pacific Coast bordering Mexico to the South, the State of Oregon in the north, Nevada in the east and Arizona in the south-east. California is home to Hollywood, Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world and of Silicon Valley, the world wide capital of internet and digital technology.
The SVD communities are in the dioceses of San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, San Bernardino and San Diego. the Province office is in Riverside, CA. California has 37 million people with 42. 3 % whites, 36.6% Hispanics or Latinos, 12.5% Asians, 6.7% Blacks, 2.6% Multiracial and 1.2% Native Americans. Though the official language of the state is English, more than 35% of the population speak a primary language other than English at home. So much so the California department of Motor Vehicles conducts the written examination for drivers’ license in 31 languages. Masses in Los Angeles on any given Sunday are celebrated in 62 different languages.
The international character of our Province has become a major advantage in responding to the needs of the people of different cultures and languages. In addition to confreres born and brought up in the United States, we have confreres from China, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Mexico, Panama, Argentina, Ghana, Kenya, England, Ireland, Holland, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. Previous experiences enable them to learn a new language and adapt to the new cultures and traditions
The headquarters of the Provincial is in Riverside, CA. the site of the original minor seminary.
The USA Western Province is located in California, in the southwestern part of the United States of America, on the Pacific Coast bordering Mexico to the South, the State of Oregon in the north, Nevada in the east and Arizona in the south-east. California is home to Hollywood, Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world and of Silicon Valley, the world wide capital of internet and digital technology.
The SVD communities are in the dioceses of San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, San Bernardino and San Diego. the Province office is in Riverside, CA. California has 37 million people with 42. 3 % whites, 36.6% Hispanics or Latinos, 12.5% Asians, 6.7% Blacks, 2.6% Multiracial and 1.2% Native Americans. Though the official language of the state is English, more than 35% of the population speak a primary language other than English at home. So much so the California department of Motor Vehicles conducts the written examination for drivers’ license in 31 languages. Masses in Los Angeles on any given Sunday are celebrated in 62 different languages.
The international character of our Province has become a major advantage in responding to the needs of the people of different cultures and languages. In addition to confreres born and brought up in the United States, we have confreres from China, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Mexico, Panama, Argentina, Ghana, Kenya, England, Ireland, Holland, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. Previous experiences enable them to learn a new language and adapt to the new cultures and traditions