About Our Lady of Health · Las Cruces, New Mexico
Our Lady of Health is a vibrant Catholic parish in Las Cruces, New Mexico, serving a diverse community through liturgy, sacramental life, education, and social justice. Founded in 1956 to serve the Spanish-speaking population, the parish has grown from a humble mission in a dance hall to a beautiful modern church built in 1998. It offers Masses in both English and Spanish, welcomes all cultures, and emphasizes evangelization and service. The parish is known for its strong ministries, active youth and catechism programs, and a warm, spiritual environment for all ages.
- Established
- 1956
- Patron
- Our Lady of Health
- Rector
- Fr. Jesús Mª Mena, O.A.R.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Las Cruces
Why belong here
Join a welcoming, diverse community that celebrates Jesus as teacher and Savior through liturgy, sacraments, education, and social justice. Experience a spiritual environment where faith is shared and lived out through ministries, youth programs, and service. You’ll find support, fellowship, and opportunities to grow in your Catholic faith while being part of a parish that actively evangelizes and serves others.
Mass times at Our Lady of Health
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 5:00-5:45 pm
- Friday 4:00-5:45 pm
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Thursday 8:30 am-6:00 pm
- Friday 6:30 pm until 6:00 am Saturday (ends with 6:00 am Mass)
History
The parish began in 1940 with religious education in a home. As the community grew, a hall was built in 1954. Sunday Mass was held in a dance hall until 1956, when Bishop S.M. Metzger officially established the mission as a parish. Father Jose Saez, a Spanish priest, was assigned to lead it and dedicated the church to Our Lady of Health, a devotion from his hometown in Spain. The parish expanded through community efforts, including fiestas and fundraisers, and built a rectory and church. After a fire in 1990, the church was rebuilt and dedicated in 1998. In 2016, the parish was returned to the Diocese of Las Cruces after being under the care of the Augustinian Recollects.
Ministries
The parish offers a wide range of ministries including catechism, confirmation classes, youth ministry, social justice initiatives, and community celebrations. Past activities included bingo, food sales, and raffles to fund church projects. The parish also hosts Morning Prayer and Communion Services on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings.
- Catechism
- Confirmation Classes
- Youth Ministry
- Social Justice
- Community Celebrations
- Bingo (historical)
- Food Sales
- Raffles
- Fundraisers
Sacraments
The parish offers all seven sacraments: Baptism, Reconciliation (Confession), Eucharist (Mass), Confirmation, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick. Confessions are available Wednesday and Friday evenings, or by appointment. Adoration is held Thursday evening and Friday night until 6:00 am Saturday, ending with Mass.
- Baptism
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- Eucharist (Mass)
- Confirmation
- Marriage
- Anointing of the Sick
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Jose Saez1956-1960
First pastor; dedicated church to Our Lady of Health; returned to Spain in 1960
- Fr. Vicente Morera1960-1962
Acting assistant to Fr. Saez; succeeded him after his departure
- Fr. John Osikiwshi1962-1964
Succeeded Fr. Morera; served until 1964
- Fr. Arnold H. Finochieto1964-1965
Named pastor in 1964; constructed new rectory and expanded church
- Fr. Richard P. Lynch1965-1970
Improved church with new roof and paved parking lot
- Fr. Joaquin Resma1970-1983
Served until his death in May 1983; brother Fr. Luis Resma succeeded him
- Fr. Paulus Kao1985-1988
From China; known for well-organized CCD program
- Fr. Narciso Rivera1988-1990
Augustinian Recollect; led parish through 1990 fire
- Fr. Ricardo Hinojal, O.A.R.1990-2016
Succeeded Fr. Rivera; served until 2016 when parish returned to diocese