VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — A new catholic cemetery with space for around 13,000 graves could be opening soon in Vista after recently receiving unanimous approval in late August. The new cemetery would be the second diocesan Catholic cemetery in San Diego County.
The San Diego County Planning Commission voted unanimously on Aug. 22 to grant a major-use permit for the Good Shepherd Catholic Cemetery project, the Diocese of San Diego reports.
The cemetery would be built on a 14.5-acre property with space for around 13,000 graves at 1505 Buena Vista Drive in Vista in northern San Diego County. The property is located directly northeast of St. Thomas More Parish in Oceanside and has been owned by the diocese for 10 years.
The Diocese of San Diego said the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum is nearing capacity for ground burials, which is part of the push to build the second diocesan Catholic cemetery.
Bishop Michael Pham is scheduled to consecrate the new cemetery on Nov. 24, 2025. The diocese says an opening date will be set after the property is developed for that use.
“This cemetery,” said Robert Dorsey, the new director of Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum, “will serve folks from Del Mar up to Oceanside, and from Poway through Escondido, up through Fallbrook on the (Interstate) 15 corridor.”
Now that the project has received a major-use permit, the diocese says the two-phase development of the property can begin.
Phase 1 will include landscaping, a temporary parking area and driveway access improvements, while Phase 2 will cover construction and grading for the majority of the property.
Phase 2 will also consist of the remodeling of a home already on the property into an administrative building, additional parking and landscaping, and road improvements on Buena Vista Drive. The plans also include requests of the vacation of county-maintained road, Keys Place, that cuts through the property, with a hearing on the matter scheduled for Oct. 22.
The diocese says while they wait to begin phase 1 and 2, work to clear brush, fence the property and prepare the grounds for burials will be performed.
Father Michael Ratajczak, who served as pastor of St. Thomas More Parish from 2003 until his death in July of 2021, will be among the first to be buried in the new cemetery.
The project plans initially included a chapel and mausoleum, which were abandoned following community feedback, according to the diocese.
The diocese says funerals and most other events will be held off-site at Catholic churches in the area, including at nearby St. Thomas More Parish.
For more information about Good Shepherd Catholic Cemetery, visit holycrosssd.com.
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