About Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary · Las Cruces, New Mexico
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is the mother church (seat) of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces, located at 1240 S. Espina Street in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Originally founded as a small 250-seat chapel-of-convenience in 1947 and erected as a parish in 1953, the present Modern Southwestern-style church was dedicated in May 1966 and was designated the cathedral of the newly created Diocese of Las Cruces in 1982. Today, under its rector Very Rev. Alejandro Reyes Cardenas and Bishop Peter Baldacchino, the cathedral serves a large and diverse bilingual Catholic population with Masses in both English and Spanish, more than three dozen active ministries, a parish school, and outreach programs that extend across southern New Mexico and into Palomas, Mexico.
- Established
- 1953 (parish; chapel-of-convenience built 1947)
- Patron
- Immaculate Heart of Mary
- Rector
- Very Rev. Alejandro Reyes Cardenas (Rector)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Las Cruces
Why belong here
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is the spiritual and institutional heart of the Diocese of Las Cruces, with a uniquely bilingual rhythm of life — daily Mass in English, a weekly Tuesday evening Mass and Sunday Mass in Spanish, a Spanish-language Holy Hour on Thursdays, and a Friday Divine Mercy Chaplet — making it a natural home for the region's English- and Spanish-speaking faithful alike. Its more than three dozen active ministries (OCIA/RCIA, ACTS retreats, Neocatechumenal Way, Cursillo, Marriage Encounter, Knights of Columbus 3rd and 4th Degree, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, St. Paul Street Evangelization, Mother Teresa of Calcutta Clothing Closet and Food Pantry, Eucharistic Adoration, and a robust Youth Group) give newcomers concrete ways to serve. As the cathedral parish, it carries a special diocesan responsibility for hospitality and outreach, including its historic adoption of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Palomas, Mexico, making it a powerful place to belong if you want to live the faith at both the parish and missionary level.
Mass times at Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Anytime by appointment with one of the priests (call the parish office)
Adoration times
- Thursday 6:00 p.m. Holy Hour (Spanish)
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration (devoted hour-per-week commitment through the Adoration ministry)
History of the Cathedral
From a 250-seat chapel built in 1947 by Fr. David Kirgan, to a parish in 1953 under Fr. William Ryan, to a Modern Southwestern church dedicated in 1966, to the cathedral of the new Diocese of Las Cruces in 1982, IHM's history mirrors the post-war growth of Las Cruces itself — driven largely by the influx of workers to White Sands Missile Range. The full parish history, including the construction of the stained-glass nave windows, the 1957 school, the 1993 Parish Center, and the parish's adoption of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Palomas, Mexico, is preserved on the cathedral's archived history pages and the 1978 25th Anniversary, 1983 Mass of Dedication, and 1993 Parish Center Dedication programs.
- 1947 — Fr. David J. Kirgan builds the original 250-seat chapel at Idaho & Espina
- 1953 — Chapel erected as a separate parish; Fr. William H. Ryan named first pastor
- 1957 — IHM School opens, staffed by the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood
- 1965 — Building-fund campaign launched for a new, larger church
- 1966 (May) — New Modern Southwestern church completed and dedicated
- 1975–1977 — Fr. Bob Getz's 'Becoming the Servant Church' stewardship campaign
- 1982 (Aug 17) — Diocese of Las Cruces erected by Pope John Paul II; IHM becomes cathedral
- 1983 (June 11) — Solemn Mass of Dedication of the Cathedral
- 1993 (Sept 26) — New Parish Center dedicated; Finley Gathering Area named for Msgr. Finley
- 2019 (July 23) — Bishop Peter Baldacchino installed as third Bishop of Las Cruces at the cathedral (broadcast on EWTN)
Architecture & Stained Glass
The cathedral is a Modern Southwestern composition by architect Loren Mastin, built of stucco over concrete block in clean, angular forms suited to the desert climate. Its interior was deliberately kept spare of statues and pictures, with the 16 stained-glass windows on the nave walls supplying all of the color and movement. Designed by Santa Fe artist Andrea Bacigalupa and fabricated by Louie Ewing of Santa Fe Church Art Studios, the windows share a single integrated motif of the Christian fish (ichthys, IXΘΥC) that flows the length of each wall — a secret Christian sign from the early persecuted Church that Bacigalupa chose as 'one simple symbol … for a contemporary church in the economical age.'
- Architect: Loren Mastin
- Stained-glass design: Andrea Bacigalupa (Santa Fe)
- Glass fabrication: Louie Ewing, Santa Fe Church Art Studios
- 16 windows, roughly 18 inches × 23 feet, eight to a side
- Sacristies placed off the narthex to allow a clean central aisle and easy post-Mass greeting
Mass & Sacrament Schedule
The cathedral maintains a full bilingual daily Mass schedule. Weekend Masses include a Saturday Vigil in English, two English Sunday Masses, and a Spanish Sunday Mass; weekday Masses are offered Monday through Saturday in English, with an additional Tuesday evening Mass in Spanish. Confessions are heard every Saturday afternoon, and anointing and weddings are scheduled by appointment.
- Saturday Vigil: 5:30 p.m. (English)
- Sunday: 7:30 a.m. English, 9:00 a.m. Spanish, 11:00 a.m. English
- Weekdays Mon.–Sat.: 8:15 a.m. (English)
- Tuesday: 6:00 p.m. (Spanish)
- Confessions: Saturday 4:00–5:00 p.m., or by appointment
Parish Ministries
The cathedral supports more than forty active ministries and parish groups, including faith formation, sacramental preparation, liturgical service, music, outreach, and prayer. Virtus training through the Diocese of Las Cruces is required for anyone wishing to participate in any ministry.
- Faith Formation: Religious Education (K–1 and Grades 2–12), Family in Faith, OCIA Core Team, Adult Confirmation, Parish Ministry Formation Program (PMFP), Advanced Liturgical Formation (ALF)
- Prayer & Retreats: ACTS Retreats (English & Spanish), Cursillo de Cristianidad, Neocatechumenal Way, Talleres de Oración y Vida, Marriage Encounter, MDS Marriages Group
- Liturgical: Altar Servers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (incl. to the Homebound), Sacristans, Ushering, Church Choir, Liturgy/Arts & Environment, Episcopal Master of Ceremonies
- Outreach & Service: Mother Teresa of Calcutta Clothing Closet & Food Pantry, St. Paul Street Evangelization, Bereavement Ministry, Coalition for Life, Knights of Columbus (3rd & 4th Degree), Catholic Daughters of the Americas (Junior & Senior)
- Community & Devotions: Sacred Heart Society, Altar Society, Rosary Makers, Rosary Repairs, Youth Group
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Religious Education program serves children from kindergarten through 12th grade, with a 'Family in Faith' track for the youngest students and a sacramental-preparation track for older youth. Adult initiation is handled through the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) Core Team, and a seven-month Parish Ministry Formation Program (PMFP) and a one-year Advanced Liturgical Formation (ALF) course train lay leaders.
- Religious Education: Ages 7–18 (Grades 2–12)
- Family in Faith: K–1st Grade (Sr. Gloria Karina Gutierrez Mendez, O.P. and Sr. Esmeralda Anguiano Carmono, O.P.)
- OCIA / RCIA for adults
- Parish Ministry Formation Program (PMFP)
- Advanced Liturgical Formation (ALF)
Clergy, Staff & Pastoral Council
The cathedral is led by its Rector, Very Rev. Alejandro Reyes Cardenas, under the pastoral care of the Bishop of Las Cruces, Most Rev. Peter Baldacchino, J.C.L. Two permanent deacons — Deacon Ed Fierro and Deacon Ruben Gutierrez — assist with ministry. The parish staff includes a Parish Administrator, Office Manager, Director of Religious Education, Bookkeeper, Receptionists, and a maintenance/custodial team.
- Bishop: Most Rev. Peter Baldacchino, J.C.L.
- Rector: Very Rev. Alejandro Reyes Cardenas
- Priest in Residence: Rev. Melquisedec Salcedo
- Deacon Ed Fierro
- Deacon Ruben Gutierrez
Outreach & the Parish Mission to Palomas, Mexico
Since the early 1980s, the cathedral has formally adopted Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Palomas, Chihuahua, Mexico, as a mission — a commitment that has shaped its identity as a borderland church serving both sides of the international line. Locally, the Mother Teresa of Calcutta Clothing Closet and Food Pantry, St. Paul Street Evangelization, and a robust homebound/hospital ministry meet immediate needs in the Las Cruces community.
- Adopted mission: Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Palomas, Mexico
- Mother Teresa of Calcutta Clothing Closet & Food Pantry
- St. Paul Street Evangelization
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to the Homebound and hospitalized
Visiting the Cathedral
The cathedral campus is centered at 1240 S. Espina in southeast Las Cruces and includes the 1966 church, the original 1947 chapel (now parish hall), IHM School, and the 1993 Parish Center. Visitors are welcome during parish office hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.) and especially for weekday or weekend Mass.
- Address: 1240 S. Espina St., Las Cruces, NM 88001
- Office phone: (575) 524-8563 | Fax: (575) 523-2252
- Office email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon.–Fri., 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The Diocese of Las Cruces
The Diocese of Las Cruces was erected by Pope John Paul II on August 17, 1982, from territory previously belonging to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and the Diocese of El Paso. Its first bishop was Ricardo Ramírez (installed October 18, 1982), succeeded by Oscar Cantú (installed February 28, 2013) and then by Peter Baldacchino (installed July 23, 2019). The cathedral is a suffragan of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Santa Fe.
- First Bishop: Ricardo Ramírez (1982–2013)
- Second Bishop: Oscar Cantú (2013–2018)
- Third (current) Bishop: Peter Baldacchino (2019–present)
- Suffragan of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe
- Diocese website: https://www.diolas.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. David J. Kirgan1947–1948
Pastor of St. Genevieve's who built and dedicated the original 250-seat chapel-of-convenience at Idaho & Espina on the outskirts of Las Cruces.
- Fr. William H. ('Bill') Ryan1953–1960
First pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary as a parish; oversaw rapid post-war growth and the 1957 opening of IHM School staffed by the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood. Transferred to St. Genevieve's in 1960.
- Fr. Everett Finley1960–1965 (first stint); returned late 1960s–1975
Initiated the 1965 building-fund campaign for a new church; left briefly for U.S. Army chaplain duty before returning; later elevated to Monsignor. Moved to El Paso in 1975 due to ill health. Honored by the naming of the Finley Gathering Area in the 1993 Parish Center.
- Fr. Thomas ('Tom') O'Mahonymid-1960s
Administrator who completed the building of the new church while Fr. Finley was on Army chaplain duty. Envisioned a 'Catholic Peace Corps' of young Catholic educators for the parish school.
- Fr. John Andersonearly-to-mid 1970s
Associate pastor who gradually assumed day-to-day pastoral duties as Monsignor Finley's health declined.
- Fr. Bob Getz1975–1977 (first stint); 1984–1990 (second stint)
Launched the 'Becoming the Servant Church' parishwide stewardship campaign, recruited religious sisters for pastoral ministry, oversaw ordination of IHM's first permanent deacons, and guided the charismatic prayer community. Returned to IHM in 1984.
- Fr. Ed Sullivan1977–1980
Expanded lay participation through a Home Visitation 'Listening Program.' Transferred in 1980 to become rector of St. Patrick's Cathedral, El Paso.
- Fr. John Tickle1980–1984
Became the first Rector of the Cathedral when IHM was designated the cathedral of the new Diocese of Las Cruces in 1982; acquired a new priest's residence, oversaw renovations, and adopted Our Lady of Guadalupe parish in Palomas, Mexico.
- Fr. Joseph Flanagannot specified
Listed among IHM's pastors/rectors on the 1993 Parish Center Dedication program.
- Fr. Tom Beggane1990–mid-1990s
Succeeded Fr. Getz in 1990; led the 1991 building fund campaign and dedicated the new Parish Center on September 26, 1993.
- Very Rev. Bill McCann2010s–2020s (approx.)
Listed as Rector on the cathedral's archived staff page.
- Rev. Marcel Okonkwo2020s (approx.)
Listed as 'in residence' on the cathedral's archived staff page.
- Very Rev. Alejandro Reyes Cardenaspresent
Current Rector, serving a large bilingual (English/Spanish) congregation.
- Rev. Melquisedec Salcedopresent
Priest in Residence, per the September 2024 parish bulletin.
