About Immaculate Heart of Mary · Los Alamos, New Mexico
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish is a Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe that serves the communities of Los Alamos and White Rock, New Mexico. Established in 1946 by Archbishop Edwin Byrne, the parish worships primarily at its main church at 3700 Canyon Road in Los Alamos, with St. Joseph's Mission in White Rock offering a Sunday Mass. The parish is led by Fr. John C. Daniel and maintains a robust schedule of daily and weekend Masses, perpetual adoration in its Chapel of Divine Mercy, faith formation for children and adults, youth ministry, and a variety of parish ministries. With more than 75 years of history, IHM has grown from a leased army barracks to a campus that includes the current church (built 1967–1968), a rectory, the St. Thomas More Religious Education Center, the St. John Paul II Youth Building, and Karen McLaughlin Hall.
- Established
- 1946
- Patron
- Immaculate Heart of Mary
- Rector
- Fr. John C. Daniel
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Santa Fe
Why belong here
Immaculate Heart of Mary is a vibrant, multi-generational Catholic community that has served Los Alamos and White Rock for more than 75 years and offers a full sacramental and devotional life. Parishioners can attend Mass daily (including a livestreamed Sunday Mass), spend time in perpetual adoration at the Chapel of Divine Mercy, prepare children and teens for the sacraments through the St. Thomas More Religious Education Center, and gather through the Los Alamos Catholic Young Adults, youth ministry, OCIA (Becoming Catholic), Bible studies, and parish faith events. With a dedicated pastor, five deacons, a liturgist, and a long list of parish staff and ministries, the parish welcomes newcomers to participate fully in its worship, formation, and service.
Mass times at Immaculate Heart of Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday at 4:00 PM until the last penitent (Immaculate Heart of Mary)
- Saturday at 3:00 PM until the last penitent (Immaculate Heart of Mary)
- Sunday at 11:00 AM until the last penitent (St. Joseph's)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration in the Chapel of Divine Mercy (24/7, as listed on the parish website under 'We are an Adoration Parish')
History of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish
Immaculate Heart of Mary was canonically established on September 6, 1946, by Archbishop Edwin Byrne of Santa Fe, making it the first Catholic parish in Los Alamos. Father Bernard Burns, O.F.M., was the first resident priest and first pastor. The first Roman Catholic Mass in town was celebrated at 10:00 a.m. by Father Francis X. Campbell in the ecumenical United Church of Los Alamos (dedicated May 2, 1947). Construction of the first Catholic church in Los Alamos began in October 1950 and was completed on May 6, 1951, at a cost of $100,000, with 350 Catholic families then enrolled.
- 1946 — Parish established by Archbishop Edwin Byrne; Father Bernard Burns, O.F.M., first pastor.
- May 2, 1947 — United Church of Los Alamos dedicated for ecumenical use.
- October 1950 — Construction begins on first Catholic church in Los Alamos.
- May 6, 1951 — First church, chapel, and rectory completed ($100,000); 350 Catholic families.
- 1956 — Karen McLaughlin Hall built as a school gymnasium.
- 1967–1968 — Current Immaculate Heart of Mary Church built and dedicated.
- 1974 — St. Joseph's Hall constructed in White Rock.
- 1979 — New rectory built next to the current church.
- 1989 — St. Joseph Mission in White Rock renovated into a church.
- September 1992 — Religious Education Building dedicated (today: St. Thomas More Religious Education Center).
- September 12, 2021 — 75th anniversary picnic celebrated.
Parish Staff
The parish office and ministry offices are supported by a pastoral and administrative team including a Youth Ministry Director, an Assistant Youth Minister, a Director of Religious Education, a Religious Education Assistant, a Business Manager, a Liturgist (Donatella Rivotella), an Administrative Assistant, and maintenance staff.
- Nate Stephens — Business Manager
- Caren Stephens — Pastoral Staff
- Nan Holmes — Administrative Assistant
- Natalie Simmonds — Administrative Assistant
- Ilse Michel — Religious Education Assistant
- Tirso Arenales — Maintenance
- Greg Smithhisler — Assistant Youth Minister
- Donatella Rivotella — Liturgist
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The St. Thomas More Religious Education Center (3580 Canyon Road) coordinates catechesis for children in grades K through 12, including sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation, Vacation Bible School, and ongoing faith formation for families. Adult formation includes OCIA (Becoming Catholic), adult Bible studies, and ongoing faith formation opportunities such as Soup Suppers and parish faith events.
- Religious Education for grades K–12
- First Communion preparation
- Vacation Bible School
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults — 'Becoming Catholic')
- Adult Bible Studies
- Soup Suppers and parish faith events
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
The parish runs an active youth ministry for ages 6–18, with scheduled spiritual, community, and social gatherings for Elementary, Middle School, and High School youth. The St. John Paul II Youth Building (3700 Canyon Road; 505-662-8303; [email protected]) hosts these gatherings and supports high-school leaders. There is also a Los Alamos Catholic Young Adults (18+) group that meets at Ashley Pond for fellowship, discussion of the daily readings, and pizza.
- Youth Ministry for ages 6–18 (Elementary, Middle School, High School)
- Assistant Youth Minister program
- Los Alamos Catholic Young Adults (18+) — meets at Ashley Pond
- St. John Paul II Youth Building — 3700 Canyon Road, (505) 662-8303, [email protected]
Scripture Sharing Groups
Parishioners can join weekly Scripture Sharing Groups that break open the upcoming weekend Liturgy readings for knowledge, understanding, and personal application.
- Men's Scripture Sharing Group — Mondays at 5:30 PM, Founders' Hall downstairs classroom
- Women's Scripture Sharing Group — Mondays at 4:00 PM, Founders' Hall downstairs Conference Room
Parish Campus & Facilities
The parish campus on Canyon Road includes the main Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (built 1967–1968), the original 1951 church/chapel complex now used for religious education, the 1979 rectory, the 1956 Karen McLaughlin Parish Hall, the 1992 St. Thomas More Religious Education Center (3580 Canyon Road), and the St. John Paul II Youth Building. Outdoor features include a bronze statue of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a statue of Pope St. John Paul II, monuments of the Beatitudes and the Ten Commandments, and a bell tower with chimes.
- Immaculate Heart of Mary Church — 3700 Canyon Road
- St. Thomas More Religious Education Center — 3580 Canyon Road, (505) 662-7773, [email protected]
- St. John Paul II Youth Building — 3700 Canyon Road, (505) 662-8303, [email protected]
- Karen McLaughlin Parish Hall (built 1956)
- St. Joseph's Mission — White Rock, NM
St. Joseph's Mission (White Rock)
St. Joseph's Mission is the parish's worship site for the White Rock community, offering a Sunday Mass and an additional weekday Mass on Tuesdays. The original St. Joseph's Hall was built in 1974 and was renovated in 1989 into the present church, with classrooms added in the same project.
- Sunday Mass: 11:30 AM
- Tuesday Mass: 9:00 AM
- Friday Mass: 11:00 AM (during Lent)
- Confessions: Sunday 11:00 AM until the last penitent
- Holy Days: Vigil 6:00 PM and Holy Day 9:00 AM
Diocese & Wider Catholic Life
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and is part of the Northwest Deanery. It is listed by the Archdiocese as the parish serving the Los Alamos area alongside other deanery parishes in northern New Mexico (Abiquiu, Española, Taos, Pojoaque, and others).
- Diocese: Archdiocese of Santa Fe
- Deanery: Northwest Deanery (per archdiosf.org/deans-deaneries)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Bernard Burns, O.F.M.1946–
First resident priest in Los Alamos and first pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary, appointed when Archbishop Byrne established the parish in 1946.
- Father Francis X. Campbell
Celebrated the first Roman Catholic Mass in Los Alamos at the United Church chapel in 1947.
- Fr. Glenn Jonesthrough 2019
Departed IHM in January 2019 when Archbishop John C. Wester appointed him Vicar General, Vicar for Clergy and Vicar for Religious of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.
- Fr. John C. DanielJanuary 2019–present
Appointed pastor in January 2019; previously served two years as Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. Ordained June 6, 1992; began ministry as Parochial Vicar at Immaculate Conception Parish, Las Vegas.
- Fr. John Carney
Prior pastor under whom many of the parish grounds were updated (Stations of the Cross, new statues, crucifix, new pews, the Pope St. John Paul II statue and Beatitudes/Ten Commandments monuments) and the old White Rock Visitor Center was relocated as a youth center, working with Deacon Don Lucero.