Immaculate Heart of Mary

About Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel

Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) is the Catholic chapel serving the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms, California. The chapel's Religious Ministry Team describes its mission as 'nurturing your faith in a caring community,' offering worship services, religious education, life-skill classes, and fellowship opportunities to Marines, sailors, families, and other authorized personnel stationed on the base. As a military chapel, IHM falls under the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and stands alongside the Protestant Christ Chapel as one of two principal houses of worship on the Combat Center.

Devotions

Beyond the Mass schedule, IHM maintains a steady devotional life centered on the Blessed Sacrament, Our Lady, and the Passion. The chapel is especially faithful to First Friday Adoration, the Sunday Rosary, and the Lenten Stations of the Cross.

• Exposition and Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament — every First Friday at 1200, closing with Benediction at 1400
• Sunday Rosary — 0900 and 1630
• Holy Day of Obligation Rosary — 1100 and 1730
• Stations of the Cross — every Friday of Lent at 1700

Sacraments

The Catholic chapel at MCAGCC prepares Catholics for the three sacraments of initiation and the sacraments at the service of communion and healing. Couples and families are asked to begin sacramental preparation well in advance because of the training and deployment tempo of Marine Corps life.

• Baptism — parents and godparents must attend a Baptism Preparation Class prior to scheduling; classes are held on the first Tuesday of each month.
• Marriage — couples must contact the Catholic chapel at least six months before the desired wedding date.
• Anointing of the Sick — for the elderly and those who are seriously sick or scheduled for major surgery; arranged by appointment through the Chapel Office.
• First Communion and Confirmation — arranged through the Chapel Office; faith-formation classes are coordinated with the Religious Ministries Directorate.

Ministries and Lay Groups

Immaculate Heart of Mary has long been supported by an active lay community. Historical ministry rosters published on the base (e.g., the 2007 Observation Post) and current contact information show a continuing tradition of Catholic lay leadership alongside the chaplain team.

• Military Council of Catholic Women (MCCW)
• Catholic Choir
• Life Teen / Youth Group
• Knights of Columbus council (meets 1st Thursday of each month)
• Children's Liturgy of the Word (during Sunday Mass)
• Catechist meetings (2nd Tuesday of the month)
• Baptism Preparation Class (1st Tuesday of the month)
• 'Cyrus' Young Adult Group — ages 18-35, married or single
• Faith and Fellowship — activity and scripture study (Friday evenings in the Catholic Chapel East Classroom)

Religious Ministries Directorate & Chapel Use

IHM operates under the Religious Ministries Directorate (RMD) of MCAGCC, headquartered in Building 1447 (760-830-5430). The RMD oversees both the Catholic chapel (Immaculate Heart of Mary) and the Protestant Christ Chapel, and supports the free exercise of religion for all military members, dependents, and other authorized personnel on the Combat Center. Religious services and religious education take priority over every other event except memorial services and funerals; non-religious personal celebrations (birthday parties, anniversaries, etc.) are not permitted in the chapels.

• Religious Ministries Directorate — Bldg. 1447, 760-830-5430
• Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel (Catholic) — Bldg. 1542, 760-830-6456
• Christ Chapel (Protestant) — Bldg. 1541, 760-830-6464
• Duty Chaplain — 760-861-4739
• Chapel usage requests: email [email protected]

Clergy and Staff

The Catholic chaplain currently listed on the base Religious Ministries page is Father Benjamin, reached directly at 760-830-4490 or through the Chapel Office at 760-830-6456. Catholic military chaplains at MCAGCC serve under the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. Full priest assignments rotate with military orders, so the priest listed here is the one currently assigned to the Combat Center.

• Father Benjamin — Catholic chaplain (760-830-4490)
• Chapel Office — 760-830-6456
• Duty Chaplain (24/7) — 760-861-4739

Visiting the Chapel

Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel is located inside the main gate of MCAGCC Twentynine Palms in Building 1542, on the corner of Sixth Street and Sturgis Road. Access is limited to those with valid DoD identification — active-duty service members, dependents, retirees, DoD civilians, and other authorized personnel. The chapel sits immediately next to the Protestant Christ Chapel (Building 1541), and both are a short drive from the base housing areas and the Village Center. Parking is available on and around the chapel grounds, and the chapel is a worship space only — non-religious personal events are not permitted.

• Building 1542, corner of Sixth Street and Sturgis Road, MCAGCC Twentynine Palms, CA 92278
• Valid DoD ID required for base access
• Chapel Office: 760-830-6456

Connect with IHM

The chapel maintains a presence on Facebook under the name 'IHM29Palms' and a community page titled 'IHM Catholic Chapel 29 Palms.' These pages are the most reliable way to follow current Mass times, devotions, special events (such as the annual Blessing of the Animals outdoor Mass), and parish announcements for service members and families at the Combat Center.

• Facebook: facebook.com/IHM29Palms
• Facebook community page: 'IHM Catholic Chapel 29 Palms'
• MCAGCC Religious Ministries page: 29palms.marines.mil/Staff-Offices/Special-Staff/Religious-Ministries/Chapel/