About Sacred Heart · Palm Desert, California
Sacred Heart is a Roman Catholic parish in Palm Desert, California, established in 1956 and part of the Diocese of San Bernardino. It is a vibrant, multilingual community serving over 6,000 registered families, with weekend Masses celebrated in English, Spanish, Latin, and Tagalog. The parish campus includes a church (built in 1986, seating 1,300), a K–8 elementary school and preschool (founded 1984), the Padre Pio Adoration Chapel, and extensive outreach ministries serving the Coachella Valley.
- Established
- 1956
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Gregory Elder, Ph.D.
- Diocese
- Diocese of San Bernardino
Why belong here
Sacred Heart offers one of the most extensive parish life programs in the Coachella Valley, with Mass celebrated in four languages every weekend (English, Spanish, Latin, and Tagalog) and a daily Eucharist schedule. More than 600 parishioners serve in over thirty active ministry groups — from the Women's Guild and Music Ministry to Bible studies, the Kairos Prison Ministry, and the Read with Me literacy program in Mecca. The parish also operates an award-winning K–8 elementary school and preschool on campus, and the Padre Pio Adoration Chapel is open daily, with First Friday 24-hour adoration.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (September–July)
- Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
- Saturday 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Saturday 5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- First Thursday 'Mercy Morning' 8:00 a.m. (with Adoration 8:15 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.)
Adoration times
- Padre Pio Adoration Chapel open daily 6:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (FOB key access 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.; closed Thursdays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. for cleaning)
- Mercy Morning: First Thursday of every month, 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
- Holy Hour: First Friday of every month, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- First Friday 24-Hour Adoration begins after 7:30 a.m. Mass and runs until 7:30 a.m. Saturday
- Wednesday 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (with confessions)
History of Sacred Heart Church
Sacred Heart began on November 1, 1956 in a small Palm Desert storefront under founding pastor Fr. A. G. Edwards. Bing Crosby hosted an April 1958 benefit featuring Rosemary Clooney that funded the permanent church, which was dedicated December 21, 1958. The original 350-seat sanctuary is now part of the larger 1,300-seat edifice built in 1986. Successive pastors expanded the campus and ministries to serve retirees, year-round families, and the seasonal 'snowbird' population that flocks to the desert each winter. A pew commemorating President John F. Kennedy — who attended Mass here on desert visits — remains a point of parish pride.
- Founded November 1, 1956 in a storefront under Fr. A. G. Edwards
- Permanent church dedicated December 21, 1958 after Bing Crosby fundraiser
- Original 350-seat church incorporated into 1986 building seating 1,300
- JFK pew still marked in the church
- Fr. McNelis built the La Paz senior duplex community in the 1970s
- Six new buildings and two parking lots added under Msgr. Howard Lincoln (2001–2021)
Clergy and Ecclesial Staff
Sacred Heart is served by a pastor, two parochial vicars, and three deacons. The pastorate is supported by an extended parish staff reached through the Parish Office at (760) 346-6502.
- Rev. Gregory Elder, Ph.D. — Pastor
- Rev. Jonathan E. Garcia — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Ian F. Hollick — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Jesus Mercado
- Deacon Peter Solan
- Deacon Juan Arreola
Pastor — Rev. Gregory Elder, Ph.D.
Father Gregory Elder became pastor of Sacred Heart on July 1, 2021. A former Anglican priest for twenty years, he was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 2006 by Bishop Gerald Barnes under the Pastoral Provision for married Anglican clergy. His authorization was personally decreed by St. Pope John Paul II at the request of Bishop Barnes and then-Cardinal Josef Ratzinger. He is a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, Professor Emeritus of History and Humanities at Moreno Valley College, and has served in nine pastoral assignments. He holds an M.Div. from Nashotah House, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in History from UC San Diego. He and his wife Dr. Sarah Elder live in Redlands and have two grown children and two grandchildren.
Sacred Heart School
Sacred Heart School opened in 1984 with kindergarten and first grade under Fr. Anthony Timlin, adding a grade each subsequent year. Today it educates around 600 students in kindergarten through eighth grade and over 80 preschoolers. In 2006 it became the first school under the Diocese of San Bernardino Office of Catholic Schools to be named a U.S. Department of Education No Child Left Behind–Blue Ribbon School. The campus offers a science lab, technology lab, library, and large gymnasium.
- School Office: (760) 346-3513
- Principal: Alan Bruzzio
- Assistant Principal: Kate DeNovi
- Preschool Office: (760) 674-3000; Director Mona de los Reyes; Assistant Director Allison McManus
- 2006 Blue Ribbon School — first in the Diocese of San Bernardino's Catholic Schools office
Faith Formation and OCIA
The parish runs a robust religious education program including the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) in both English and Spanish, the Order of Christian Initiation for Children (OCIC) for ages 7–13 not yet baptized, and a youth Confirmation program for high-schoolers who will be 16 by April 1 of their second preparation year. Bilingual First Reconciliation and First Communion classes (ages 7–13) and a special-needs sacramental track are also offered. Classes are generally a two-year process; Adult OCIA sessions meet Wednesdays 6:00–8:00 p.m. in the Salta Center, Room 333.
- Adult OCIA — English and Spanish tracks (Wednesdays 6–8 p.m.)
- Youth OCIC for unbaptized children ages 7–13
- Bilingual First Reconciliation / First Communion (ages 7–13)
- Special-needs sacramental preparation
- Youth Confirmation (high school, two-year process)
- Office of Religious Education: Tuesday–Friday 9 a.m.–2 p.m.; contact Deacon Juan Arreola
Ministries and Outreach
Over thirty active ministry groups serve the parish and broader Coachella Valley. Liturgical roles include Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Altar Servers, Ushers, and Hospitality Ministers. Spiritual and devotional groups include the Sacred Heart of Joy Prayer Group, the Spanish charismatic prayer group, and Bible studies in both English and Spanish. Outreach extends well beyond the parish: the Read with Me Reading Program sends volunteers into 12 schools in the East Coachella Valley (with buses running from Sacred Heart to Mecca and from Oasis in La Quinta), and Kairos Prison Ministry brings the faith to incarcerated men and women.
- Read with Me Reading Program (East Coachella Valley literacy)
- East Valley Outreach
- Kairos Prison Ministry
- Music Ministry and Women's Guild
- Knights of Columbus and Young at Heart (seniors)
- Spanish-language ministries: Ballet Folklórico, Armada Blanca, Soldados de Cristo, Grupo de Oración Carismática, Ministerio del Duelo, Matrimonio y Familia
Sacraments
Sacred Heart prepares parishioners for all seven sacraments. Baptism formation classes are held in English; First Reconciliation and First Communion are offered bilingually for children 7–13, with a special-needs track. Adult Catholics seeking Confirmation and unbaptized adults enter the OCIA process. Couples seeking marriage should contact the parish office; the Anointing of the Sick is available upon request.
- Baptism
- First Reconciliation and First Communion (bilingual, ages 7–13)
- Confirmation (youth and adult)
- Marriage preparation
- Anointing of the Sick
Visit, Contact, and Location
Sacred Heart sits at 43775 Deep Canyon Road in Palm Desert, with two large parking lots serving the church and school. Parish Office hours are Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The Padre Pio Adoration Chapel can be accessed outside posted hours with a $10 key fob from the Parish Office.
- Address: 43775 Deep Canyon Rd, Palm Desert, CA 92260
- Phone: (760) 346-6502
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://church.sacredheartpalmdesert.com/
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Facebook: SacredHeartPalmDesert
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. A. G. Edwards1956–1967
Founding pastor; the parish began under his leadership in a Palm Desert storefront on November 1, 1956.
- Rev. John Desmond1967–1968
- Msgr. Hugh McNelis1968–1982
Built the La Paz senior duplex community adjacent to the church property.
- Rev. William J. Marcott1982 (Administrator)
- Rev. Anthony J. Timlin1982–2001
Oversaw major expansion including new offices and the founding of Sacred Heart School in 1984; Pastor Emeritus.
- Rev. Msgr. Howard Lincoln2001–2021
Six new buildings, two new parking lots, doubled school square footage, built adoration chapel; Pastor Emeritus.
- Rev. Gregory Elder, Ph.D.2021–present
Ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 2006 under the Pastoral Provision; Professor Emeritus of History and Humanities.