About Our Lady of the Mountains · Sierra Vista, Arizona
Our Lady of the Mountains is a Roman Catholic parish in Sierra Vista, Arizona, in the Diocese of Tucson, established in 1991 by Bishop Manuel D. Moreno to serve the growing Sierra Vista and Fort Huachuca region. Located at 1425 E. Yaqui Street, the parish offers ten weekly Masses including a Spanish-language Sunday Mass, weekday Masses, and a Saturday vigil, alongside Confession, Eucharistic Adoration, and a robust Religious Education program. The parish campus is also home to All Saints Catholic School (Pre-K through 8th grade), and the community is known for its active St. Vincent de Paul conference, Knights of Columbus council, and a wide range of ministries in both English and Spanish. As of 2026 the parish is celebrating its 35th anniversary and continues its mission of worship, formation, and 'Neighbors Helping Neighbors' service to the surrounding Southern Arizona communities.
- Established
- 1991
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Mountains (Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Fr. Richard Awange
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson
Why belong here
Our Lady of the Mountains offers a full sacramental and devotional life — daily Mass, a Saturday vigil, a Spanish-language Sunday Mass, weekly Confession, Eucharistic Adoration, and First Saturday Anointing of the Sick — supported by an active team of deacons and a long-standing staff. Families can grow in faith through the parish Religious Education program (ages 3 through Confirmation), the OCIA process for adults, and All Saints Catholic School on the same campus. The parish also lives its faith through service: the St. Vincent de Paul — OLM Conference provides person-to-person emergency assistance and Rita's Pantry, the Knights of Columbus are active, and dozens of lay ministries (from lectors and Eucharistic ministers to Jail Ministry and 'You Are Not Alone' for the homebound) give parishioners of every language and life stage a way to belong.
Mass times at Our Lady of the Mountains
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM (website lists 3:45 – 4:45 PM)
- Anytime by appointment
Adoration times
- Friday 8:30 AM
- Friday 6:00 PM
About Our Lady of the Mountains Parish
Our Lady of the Mountains is a Roman Catholic parish in Sierra Vista, Arizona, established on July 16, 1991, by Bishop Manuel D. Moreno of the Diocese of Tucson. The parish serves the Sierra Vista and Fort Huachuca region of southeastern Arizona, offering a full schedule of Masses in English and Spanish, the sacraments, faith formation for children and adults, and an active outreach to neighbors in need.
- Diocese of Tucson parish
- Founded/dedicated July 16, 1991
- Celebrating 35th anniversary in 2026
- 1425 E. Yaqui Street, Sierra Vista, AZ 85650
History of the Parish
The parish was created to meet the spiritual needs of the rapidly growing Sierra Vista region around Fort Huachuca. Since its dedication in 1991 it has been served by a succession of pastors including Fr. Bob Bryerton, Fr. Bob Brazaskas, Fr. Ariel Lustan, Fr. Mike Bucciarelli, V.F., and the current pastor, Fr. Richard Awange. In 1999 All Saints Catholic School opened on the parish grounds. The parish is now marking its 35th anniversary with continued growth in its ministries, school, and outreach.
- 1991 — parish dedicated under Bishop Manuel D. Moreno
- 1999 — All Saints Catholic School founded on parish campus
- 2026 — 35th anniversary celebration underway
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is served by a pastor, three deacons, parish and school staff, and Pastoral and Finance Councils. Fr. Richard Awange is the current pastor; Fr. Edward Lucero is associated with the parish; and Deacons Reynaldo Romo, Kurt Carlson, and Tim Krieski assist with liturgy and Hispanic ministry.
- Pastor — Fr. Richard Awange
- Parish Secretary — Donna Parsons ([email protected])
- Business Manager — Teresa Mullen
- Religious Education / Youth Minister — Kathleen Shilson
- School Principal — Dr. Mary Krempasky
- Deacons — Reynaldo Romo, Kurt Carlson, Tim Krieski
- Pastoral Council Chair — Pat Jensen
- Finance Council Chair — Patrick Ledger
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Religious Education program at Our Lady of the Mountains serves children and youth from age 3 through the Sacrament of Confirmation in 10th grade. Classes follow the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Bible, and related faith-formation courses, leading to a meaningful celebration of the sacraments and an active living of the Catholic faith. Confirmation is a two-year course beginning in 9th grade.
- Director of Religious Education — Kathleen Shilson (520-378-2720)
- Children's RE for ages 3 through Grade 8
- Confirmation — two-year program, 9th grade and up
- Baptism classes required for First Communion
- Family Faith Formation resources
OCIA — Becoming Catholic
Adults 18 and older who wish to become Catholic, or baptized Catholics who need First Communion and/or Confirmation, are invited into the parish's OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process. Classes meet at the parish and form adults in the Catholic faith through the sacraments of initiation.
- OCIA contact: John Dodrill / Parish Office, 520-378-2720
- Open to unbaptized adults, and to baptized Catholics needing First Communion or Confirmation
- Classes meet on Monday evenings
All Saints Catholic School
All Saints Catholic School is the parish school, situated on the grounds of Our Lady of the Mountains Church in a quiet residential neighborhood with views in all directions. It is a WCEA-accredited Pre-K through 8th grade school that serves families from Sierra Vista, Fort Huachuca, Hereford, Palominas, and the surrounding Southern Arizona communities. Students receive daily religious instruction and attend weekly Mass as part of their education.
- Founded 1999
- Pre-K through 8th grade
- Accredited by the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA)
- Curriculum aligned with Diocese of Tucson standards
- NWEA MAP assessment in Grades 3–8
- Principal: Dr. Mary Krempasky
- Phone: (520) 378-7012
- Website: https://ascsaz.org/
- Service projects include Christmas Shoebox collection, SVdP donations, and Christmas cards for service members and seniors
Outreach: St. Vincent de Paul — OLM Conference
The St. Vincent de Paul — Our Lady of the Mountains Conference is the parish's principal outreach to neighbors in need. Trained volunteers provide person-to-person emergency assistance — utility, rent, and medical/dental co-pay help — together with food from an on-site pantry and from Rita's Pantry, thrift-store vouchers, Thanksgiving food boxes, and referrals to other agencies.
- Service area: zip codes 85650 and 85615
- Home visits — 1st and 3rd week by appointment
- Office hours — Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 9:00–11:00 AM
- Rita's Pantry — 3rd Saturday of the month, 8:00–10:00 AM
- Phone: 520-209-1751 (confidential)
- Email: [email protected]
- Meetings — 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 4:30 PM in the church courtyard
Parish Ministries and Groups
Dozens of ministries give parishioners a way to serve, worship, and belong. They span liturgical roles (lectors, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers, sacristans, ushers/greeters), formation (Religious Education, OCIA, Bible in a Year, Spanish Bible Study), outreach (Knights of Columbus, Jail Ministry, Strong Catholic Families, hospital and homebound Eucharistic ministers), and parish life (Welcome Committee, Gift Shop, Prayer Garden, Dancers Etc., Money Counters, Linens).
- Knights of Columbus — Randy Ochmann
- Jail Ministry — Ben Berry
- Hospital Eucharistic Ministers — Judy Tritz
- You Are Not Alone (Homebound) — Margarita Fate
- Welcome Committee — Margarita Fate
- Gift Shop — Nancy Hansen
- Bible in a Year — Nancy Chestnut
- Hispanic Spiritual Direction — Dcn. Reynaldo Romo
- Marriage Preparation — Parish Office
Sacraments at the Parish
The parish celebrates all the sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church. Preparation and advance notice are required for Baptism, Marriage, and Confirmation, and the Anointing of the Sick is offered on First Saturdays and by appointment.
- Baptism — by appointment; classes required
- Marriage — minimum 6 months' notice; preparation through the Parish Office
- Confirmation — two-year course, beginning in 9th grade
- Anointing of the Sick — First Saturday after 9:00 AM Mass, or by appointment
- Reconciliation — Wednesday & Saturday, plus by appointment
- Eucharist — daily, Sunday, and vigil Masses
Visiting and Getting Involved
Newcomers and visitors are warmly welcomed. The parish publishes a weekly bulletin (downloadable from the website), runs an Online Giving program, and emails the bulletin to parishioners. The Welcome Committee and parish office can help newcomers register and find a ministry to join.
- Parish Office hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday–Friday (closed 12:45–1:45 PM)
- Parish Secretary — Donna Parsons, [email protected]
- Online Giving available through the parish website
- Sunday bulletin emailed to parishioners — request via the parish office
- Welcome Committee: Margarita Fate, 227-1194
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Bob Bryerton
Early pastor referenced by Fr. Mike Bucciarelli in his welcome letter.
- Fr. Bob Brazaskas
Early pastor who helped build up the parish community.
- Fr. Ariel Lustan
Predecessor of Fr. Bucciarelli.
- Fr. Mike (Michael) Bucciarelli, V.F.
Ordained in 1975 at Ft. Huachuca; previously pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes, Benson; Vicar of the Cochise Vicariate.
- Fr. Richard Awange
Current pastor, listed on the official staff page and current bulletin.