About Our Lady of Sorrows · La Joya, New Mexico
Our Lady of Sorrows is a rural Catholic parish in the village of La Joya, New Mexico, located between Belen and Socorro along the historic Camino Real. As a parish of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, it is the mother church of a pastoral cluster that includes five mission chapels spread across the surrounding farming and ranching communities: San Antonio in Abeytas, San José in Contreras, San Isidro in Las Nutrias, San Antonio in Sabinal, and San Juan in Veguita. The parish is currently served by Rev. Tobe Oluoha and serves approximately 450 families, with Masses celebrated in both English and Spanish each week across the cluster.
- Established
- Early 1600s
- Patron
- Our Lady of Sorrows
- Rector
- Rev. Tobe Oluoha
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Santa Fe
Why belong here
Our Lady of Sorrows welcomes parishioners into one of central New Mexico's oldest Catholic communities, where the same adobe walls have sheltered worshippers for nearly two centuries. The parish offers a richly bilingual (English and Spanish) liturgical life, daily and weekend Masses spread across six churches, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and a tight-knit rural community of about 450 families. It is also a parish actively investing in its future through the Parish Hall Project and a vibrant annual fiesta that brings the entire cluster together.
Mass times at Our Lady of Sorrows
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Weekdays: 8:30 AM – 8:50 AM (except Wednesdays), and by appointment
- 1st Sundays: 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM before Mass
- Saturdays: 8:15 AM – 10:15 AM before Mass, or by appointment
Adoration times
- Weekly Eucharistic Adoration following the 5:00 PM Wednesday Mass in Veguita
Parish History & Heritage
Our Lady of Sorrows traces its roots to the early 1600s, making it one of the oldest Catholic parishes in central New Mexico. The original church was destroyed by fire in 1626. By the 1800s the area had grown into an important stop along the Camino Real, and settlers built a new adobe church that still serves the faithful today, though its nearly two-century-old adobe walls now show structural vulnerabilities. The parish today serves about 450 families spread across La Joya and five mission communities.
- Founded in the early 1600s
- Original church burned in 1626
- Current adobe church built in the 1800s along the Camino Real
- Approximately 450 families in the parish
Mother Church & Mission Chapels
Our Lady of Sorrows Parish is a clustered parish: the mother church and rectory stand in La Joya, while the parish office and parish hall are in Las Nutrias, about 10 miles north. In addition to the mother church, the parish includes five historic mission chapels that bring Mass and the sacraments to farming and ranching communities across the area.
- Our Lady of Sorrows (mother church), La Joya
- San Antonio, Abeytas (built c. 1874 by the Abeytas family; restored mid-2010s)
- San José, Contreras
- San Isidro, Las Nutrias
- San Antonio, Sabinal
- San Juan, Veguita
Clergy & Staff
Our Lady of Sorrows is served by Rev. Tobe Oluoha, who preaches regularly at the parish and its missions (homilies from Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, and Divine Mercy Sunday are shared online). A permanent deacon — Deacon Robert — also ministers at the parish and delivers homilies such as the Good Friday reflection. The parish office is staffed by Karen Martinez, Administrative Assistant.
- Rev. Tobe Oluoha — Pastor
- Deacon Robert — Permanent Deacon
- Karen Martinez — Administrative Assistant
Parish Fiesta & Parish Hall Project
Each September, around the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, the parish hosts a vibrant annual fiesta that draws together families from across the cluster. The day begins with Mass at 9:00 AM and continues with live music, food booths, bingo, a live auction, a cake walk, children's games, and a raffle. Recent proceeds support the Parish Hall Project, which will provide much-needed space for parish events, religious education classes, and fellowship. Donations may be marked "Parish Hall Project."
- Held annually in mid-September around the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows (Sept 15)
- 9:00 AM Mass followed by music, food, games, and a raffle
- Past performers include Sangre Joven and the Daniel Solis Band
- Raffle prizes (recent year: 1st $2,000 / 2nd $1,500 / 3rd $600 / 4th $500)
- Fundraising supports the Parish Hall Project (new hall, offices, classrooms)
- Coordinators: Danny and Sandy Garcia, (505) 864-2453
Faith Formation & Sacraments
Religious education for children and adults is an important part of parish life, and the planned Parish Hall will add dedicated classroom space. The parish prepares parishioners for the Sacraments of Baptism, First Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick, and offers funeral liturgies as well. Couples preparing for marriage are asked to contact the parish office.
- Baptism preparation
- First Communion preparation
- Confirmation preparation
- Marriage preparation (contact parish office)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Funeral liturgies
Parish Life & Community
Our Lady of Sorrows is a mostly rural parish of farms and ranches, and its Catholic identity is woven into daily community life. Beyond Sunday Mass, parishioners gather for the annual fiesta, the blessing of irrigation water, and regular devotional life across the six worship sites. Visitors and newcomers are warmly welcomed.
- Rural farming and ranching community
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) liturgical life
- Strong tradition of volunteer support (e.g., Abeytas mission restoration)
- Annual fiesta as the parish's signature community gathering
Visiting & Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, email, or through the parish's Facebook page. Mass is offered across six different churches, so visitors should confirm the location and time before traveling. The mother church in La Joya is the parish's historic center, while the parish office in Veguita handles day-to-day administration.
- Phone: (505) 864-4461
- Email: [email protected]
- Parish Office: 1056 Hwy 304, PO Box 534, Veguita, NM 87062
- Mother Church: 19 Calle de La Iglesia, La Joya, NM 87028
- Website: https://olslajoyanm.org/
- Facebook: Our Lady of Sorrows Parish La Joya NM