About Holy Cross · Sparks, Nevada
Holy Cross Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Reno serving the Spanish Springs and Sparks area of northern Nevada. Located at 5650 Vista Boulevard in Sparks, the parish celebrates a full schedule of weekend and weekday Masses in both English and Spanish, including a Sunday afternoon Mass in Spanish and a Saturday Vigil. Under the leadership of Pastor/Administrator Father Bobin Babu and Parochial Vicar Father Eduardo Gutierrez, the parish lives out the motto 'Walking together in prayer, friendship, and service,' offering faith formation for children, youth, and adults through Family Catechesis, OCIA, and a two-year Confirmation program. The parish combines traditional Eucharistic devotion (daily adoration, weekday Mass, rosary in the chapel) with active sacramental preparation and Hispanic ministry for the growing Latino Catholic community of the Truckee Meadows.
- Established
- 1946
- Patron
- Holy Cross
- Rector
- Father Bobin Babu
- Diocese
- Diocese of Reno
Why belong here
Holy Cross is a bilingual, family-friendly parish where daily and Sunday Mass (including a lively 12:15 PM Spanish Mass with rosary beforehand) are the heartbeat of community life. Daily Eucharistic Adoration from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Monday through Friday, gives parishioners a quiet space to pray in the middle of the day. With strong sacramental-preparation tracks for First Communion, Confirmation, and OCIA, plus liturgical ministries and a welcoming mission to form 'families and individuals to live as witnesses of the Gospel,' Holy Cross is a place where newcomers can find a path into the faith and longtime parishioners can grow.
Mass times at Holy Cross
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Monday – Friday 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- First Friday of the month 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
About Holy Cross Catholic Church
Holy Cross Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Reno serving Sparks and the Spanish Springs area of northern Nevada. Its stated motto is 'Walking together in prayer, friendship, and service,' and the parish identifies five core values that guide its life: Faithful Worship, Hospitality, Community, Service, and Discipleship. The parish's vision is to be 'a faith that is more than Sunday worship,' lived daily and shared with joy, while its mission is 'to be known by the love we have for one another, as we journey together in Prayer, Friendship, and Service, sharing the Gospel and welcoming all into the life of Christ.'
- Pastor/Administrator: Father Bobin Babu
- Parochial Vicar: Father Eduardo Gutierrez
- Deacons: Joe Haggarty, Herbert Melendez
- Pastoral Associates: Elizabeth Martinez, Adriana Chagolla
- Office Manager: Norma Perez
- Media & Communication: Yun Espinosa
- Office Assistant: Dulce Infante
- Building & Grounds: Randy Roberts
- Janitorial Services: Flor Guevara
History
Holy Cross Catholic Church in Sparks, Nevada was formally established in 1946, according to IRS records of the parish entity filed under the Diocese of Reno. The parish has served the Sparks community for nearly 80 years, growing alongside the postwar expansion of the Truckee Meadows. Today, from its location on Vista Boulevard, Holy Cross ministers to a diverse congregation that includes both longtime English-speaking families and a thriving Spanish-speaking community, which it serves through a weekly Spanish Mass, Spanish rosary, and bilingual outreach.
- Founded: 1946
- Part of the Diocese of Reno
- Originally grew with the postwar population of Sparks
- Now located in the Spanish Springs area at 5650 Vista Boulevard
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at Holy Cross is structured around the family. The Family Catechesis Program gathers parents and children (ages 6–8, 1st and 2nd grade) on Mondays to prepare for First Holy Communion. Older children and youth (ages 10–17) participate in 'Come & See' sessions on Sundays. A separate two-year Confirmation Program for middle-school youth (ages 12–17) meets Wednesdays from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM, September through May. The 2026 Confirmation is scheduled for May 25, 2026 at 6:00 PM.
- Family Catechesis – Mondays, ages 6–8 (1st–2nd grade)
- Come & See – Sundays, ages 10–17 (3rd–11th grade)
- Confirmation – Wednesdays 6:00–7:30 PM, 2-year program, ages 12–17
- 40 hours of service required (20 per year) for Confirmation
- Family participation: 12 hours of family faith events per year
Becoming Catholic — OCIA
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) is the parish's ministry for adults exploring the Catholic faith. Open to non-Catholics (baptized or not), Catholics who have not yet received Eucharist or Confirmation, and anyone wishing to deepen their understanding of the faith, OCIA meets Tuesday evenings from the second Tuesday in September through Pentecost. Sessions include prayer, a short teaching or video, and small-group discussion. Adults who wish to receive Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion typically do so at the Easter Vigil. For children over age 7 needing Baptism, the parish offers the Rite of Christian Initiation adapted for Children (RCIaC).
- OCIA sessions: Tuesday evenings, September through Pentecost
- Format: prayer, teaching/video, small-group discussion
- Children's adaptation: RCIaC for children over age 7
- Adults seeking First Communion should contact the parish office
Liturgical Ministries
Holy Cross invites parishioners to serve at the altar and in liturgical roles during Mass and other celebrations. The Liturgical Ministries page on the parish website lists opportunities for those who wish to support the prayer life of the parish through service during the liturgy.
- Liturgical ministries (specific roles listed on parish website)
Sacraments at Holy Cross
Holy Cross prepares parishioners for the seven sacraments through age-appropriate formation. First Holy Communion is prepared over two years through the Family Catechesis program (ages 6–8) and Come & See (ages 10–17). Confirmation is a two-year program for middle-school youth, with the 2026 Confirmation scheduled for May 25, 2026. Adults seeking Baptism, Eucharist, or Confirmation are welcomed through OCIA. Reconciliation is celebrated every Saturday at 4:00 PM or by appointment.
- Baptism – preparation through parish; children 7+ via RCIaC
- First Holy Communion – 2-year preparation
- Confirmation – 2-year program, ages 12–17
- Reconciliation – Saturdays 4:00 PM and by appointment
- Eucharist – daily and Sunday Masses, including Spanish
Visiting & Contact
Holy Cross Catholic Church is located at 5650 Vista Boulevard in Sparks, Nevada 89436, in the Spanish Springs area northeast of downtown Sparks. The parish office can be reached by phone at 775-358-2544 or by email at [email protected]. Parish office hours are Monday through Thursday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 PM), Friday and Sunday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, and the office is closed on Saturdays.
- Address: 5650 Vista Boulevard, Sparks, NV 89436
- Phone: 775-358-2544
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: holycrosssparks.com
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM); Fri & Sun 9:00 AM–12:00 PM; Sat closed