With Christ at our center, 
St. Charles strives to be a welcoming, multi-gifted community.
We seek to be transformed by personal and communal prayer, 
exploring scriptures, 
and sharing community life. 
We serve God's people through acts (works) of mercy in our families, 
In our workplaces, 
and in our friendships so that we might reflect Christ in all things, 
leading others to desire and become His disciples. 

Charles Borromeo (pronounced Bŏr´ō mā′ō ), the third of six children and second son of Margherita de Medici and Count Gilberto Borromeo, was born in Castle of Arona, Italy in 1538. He lived the first eleven years of his life in Arona and Milan. At age twelve, he entered the clerical state and, shortly thereafter, was appointed Abbot of Arona by his uncle, Cardinal de Medici, who would later become pope under the title Pius IV. Charles went on to study Latin, and completed doctorates in civil law and canon law at the University of Pavia. His energy and diplomatic skills in negotiating international conflicts earned him the respect of Pius IV who, in 1560, named Charles the Protector of Portugal, Lower Germany, and part of Switzerland, and several orders, including the Franciscans and Carmelites.
In 1562, Charles was sent prepare the faithful of the diocese, both clergy and laity, for carrying out the reforms prescribed by the Council of Trent, which he did with patience and devotion. After the Council of Trent, he produced the catechism embodying the teaching of the Council, the revision of the Missal and Breviary, and the reform of Church music. On the death of his brother, he resolved to give himself with greater strictness to spiritual matters, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1563. He celebrated his first Mass on the Assumption in St. Peter’s, and his second Mass in an oratory where St, Ignatius had celebrated. He was consecrated Bishop at age twenty-six in March 1564, received the pallium, and was preconized in May. From 1566 to 1576, he showed admirably how the Church had the power to reform from within, and was respected for his manner of preaching, repression of avaricious priests, and ecclesiastical ceremonies. He rose above privilege and chose to be an apostle of Jesus Christ. Beginning with his household he gave much of his property to the poor and practiced great mortification. During the plague in 1576-1577, he devoted himself entirely to prayer and pastoral care, visiting the sick in their homes. He spent years traveling throughout Europe to reform the clergy and people who had become lax and negligent, and he renewed their spirit. Although his life was in danger at times from those who opposed him, he revived the true ecclesiastical spirit everywhere he journeyed in Europe. He died in Milan in 1584 at the age of forty-six, and was buried in the splendid Cathedral of Milan. Charles was canonized on November 1, 1610 by Pope Paul V. The predominant characteristic of St. Charles is pastoral solicitude.

St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, School and Convent were established in 1954 and began
with 55 families. On a site made possible by the generosity of Charles H. Makins, the parish
constructed its first building, the present Beckman Hall. The permanent church was built in
1968 with beautiful windows from French master Gabriel Loire and by 1974, the parish had
more than 1,000 families. In addition to their stewardship of our sacred grounds, our
parishioners also forged a sterling record of moral leadership and community involvement. In
1993, the St. Charles Clinic opened, to provide free health services and medical care to those
who could not otherwise afford it thanks to physicians, nurses and support staff who volunteer
their time. Our parishioners steadily worked together and in 1997 provided for the last
construction on our campus which included a new activity center, gymnasium, nursery, youth
room, additional classrooms and meeting spaces. Today our parish includes almost 2,000
parishioners. At least six priests and four permanent deacons have arisen from the ranks of St.
Charles Borromeo parishioners in its 64-year history.