Sacred Heart

History of Sacred Heart Parish

Sacred Heart Parish traces its roots to 1939, when it began as a mission church in Tucson. It was formally established as a parish in 1942 under the Diocese of Tucson. In 1944, Rev. Arthur Kerr founded the parish school and brought in the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago to staff it; the sisters taught at Sacred Heart School from 1944 until 1959. The present church at 601 East Fort Lowell Road was built in 1947 and designed by Tucson architect Terrence 'Terry' Cloney Atkinson in his 'Modern Spanish Architecture' style. A second church was completed in 1955 to accommodate growth. The parish community marked its Silver Jubilee in 1967 and its Golden Jubilee in 1992.

• 1939 — Parish begins as a mission church
• 1942 — Established as a parish (per GCatholic)
• 1944 — Parish school founded by Rev. Arthur Kerr; Benedictine Sisters of Chicago arrive
• 1947 — Current church built, designed by architect T.C. Atkinson
• 1955 — Second church completed
• 1959 — Benedictine Sisters return to Chicago
• 1967 — Silver Jubilee
• 1992 — Golden Jubilee

Parish Staff & Clergy

Sacred Heart is pastored by Rev. Gonzalo Villegas, whose day off is Monday. He is assisted by Deacon Rev. Eugene Fernandez. The lay staff includes Carmen Bonillas (Religious Education Director), Josie Olivas (Office Manager), Stella Rivera, Lizette Arvizu, and Janet Gaspari. Father Gonzalo can be reached through the parish office at (520) 888-1530.

• Rev. Gonzalo Villegas — Pastor (day off: Monday)
• Deacon Rev. Eugene Fernandez
• Carmen Bonillas — Religious Education Director
• Josie Olivas — Office Manager
• Stella Rivera, Lizette Arvizu, Janet Gaspari — staff

Becoming Catholic — RCIA / RICA

Adults seeking to become Catholic join Sacred Heart's Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA / RICA) process. Inquiry begins in the fall, then moves into the formal catechumenate, concluding at the Easter Vigil when new Catholics receive Baptism, Holy Communion, and Confirmation. Classes meet at the parish library, with recent sessions starting at 11:00 am in August.

• Contact: Pat — (520) 888-1530
• Inquiry begins in the fall
• Classes meet at the parish library
• Sacrament received at the Easter Vigil

Religious Education & Faith Formation

The parish Religious Education program serves school-age children with Sunday-morning classes held in the school classrooms from 8:30 am to 11:15 am. The school-year program runs from August through April. An Adult Confirmation class also meets on Tuesdays from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm in Room 3.

• Religious Ed Director: Carmen Bonillas — (520) 867-8579, [email protected]
• Sunday classes: 8:30 am – 11:15 am in the school classrooms
• Open enrollment; classes begin in August
• Adult Confirmation: Tuesdays 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Youth Ministry

Sacred Heart's Catholic Youth Ministry welcomes all teens. The program year begins with a required parent meeting in September — 9:00 am for the English session and 11:00 am for the Spanish session. All parents are required to attend.

• Contact: Josie — (520) 261-8974
• Email: [email protected]
• September parent meeting: 9:00 am (English) and 11:00 am (Spanish)

Parish Ministries & Groups

Sacred Heart's ministries span prayer, formation, liturgy and service. The Grupo de Oración (Grupo Timón) gathers for Spanish-language prayer on Tuesdays from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the Salón Venuti. A Estudio Bíblico (Bible Study) meets in the evenings from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Liturgical roles are filled by trained Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors under the coordination of Pedro and Lorena Orduña. The Parish Council, chaired by Father Gonzalo, meets on the second Monday of the month at 6:30 pm. A Finance Committee oversees parish stewardship.

• Grupo de Oración (Grupo Timón) — Tuesdays 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Salón Venuti
• Estudio Bíblico — evenings 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
• Eucharistic Ministers / Lectors — contact Pedro & Lorena Orduña
• Eucharistic Ministers to the Homebound — contact Pat James
• Parish Council — 2nd Monday, 6:30 pm (contact Fr. Gonzalo, 520-838-0855)
• Finance Committee
• Safe Environment Program — contact Violanda Sullivan, (520) 867-8579

Food Pantry & Outreach

Sacred Heart operates a parish Food Pantry that distributes groceries to neighbors in need. It is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, located next to Immaculada Hall. Eucharistic Ministers also bring Communion to homebound parishioners, including those who are hospitalized or living in care facilities.

• Food Pantry hours: Wednesdays & Saturdays, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
• Location: next to Immaculada Hall
• Eucharistic Ministers to the Homebound — contact Pat James, (520) 888-1530

Mission Statement

Sacred Heart's published mission statement reads: 'We are the people of Sacred Heart Community, a caring family within the Body of Christ. We encourage and welcome each person to dedicate his or her talents and gifts of self through living the Gospel. We worship and celebrate together because we are united through Baptism. We believe the Holy Spirit is present among us, calling us forth to reach out with love to all our sisters and brothers, especially those in need. Together we strive to bring about the Kingdom of God.'

Visit, Contact & Office Information

The parish office is located at the south end of the school building at 601 E. Fort Lowell Rd., Tucson, AZ 85705. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. The main parish phone is (520) 888-1530 (fax 520-888-1227), and the general email is [email protected]. The Religious Education office can be reached at (520) 867-8579 or [email protected].

• Address: 601 E. Fort Lowell Rd., Tucson, AZ 85705
• Office: (520) 888-1530 | Fax: (520) 888-1227
• Email: [email protected]
• Religious Ed: (520) 867-8579 | [email protected]
• Office hours: Mon–Fri, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
• Office location: south end of the school building