About San Isidro Mission Chapel · La Mesilla, New Mexico
San Isidro Mission Chapel (Capilla de San Isidro) is a Roman Catholic mission chapel in La Mesilla, New Mexico, operated as a dependent mission of Holy Cross Catholic Church (Iglesia de Santa Cruz de la Cañada) in nearby Santa Cruz. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and is served by the same clergy who staff the main parish. The chapel is named for Saint Isidore the Farmer (San Isidro Labrador), the 12th-century Spanish farmworker and patron of farmers, agricultural workers, and rural communities — a particularly fitting patron for the agricultural villages of the Española Valley. Through its connection to Holy Cross, the chapel shares in a wide range of ministries, devotions, and sacramental programs, with Mass and confession celebrated on the schedule published by the parent parish.
- Patron
- Saint Isidore the Farmer (San Isidro Labrador)
- Rector
- Fr. Hernando Cortés, S.F. (Pastor/Parish Administrator)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Santa Fe
Why belong here
San Isidro Mission Chapel gives the small La Mesilla community a Catholic presence in their own village while connecting them to the larger Holy Cross parish family in Santa Cruz. Visitors and parishioners can celebrate Mass on a full Sunday and weekday schedule, including a Sunday Mass in Spanish, take advantage of Saturday confessions, and tap into the rich ministries of the parent parish — from the San Martin de Porres Soup Kitchen to St. Vincent de Paul, the Oasis of Peace Youth Group, the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, the Holy Family Coro, and ongoing Catholic Bible Study. The chapel is a warm, rural-roots option for the faithful of the Española Valley who want traditional Catholic worship close to home.
Mass times at San Isidro Mission Chapel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM (and by appointment)
San Isidro Mission Chapel (La Mesilla)
Capilla de San Isidro is a Roman Catholic mission chapel serving the small village of La Mesilla in the Española Valley. It is administered as a dependent mission of Holy Cross Catholic Church / Iglesia de Santa Cruz de la Cañada in Santa Cruz, sharing the same pastor, deacons, and parish office staff. The chapel extends the pastoral reach of Holy Cross into surrounding rural communities and gives La Mesilla Catholics a place to worship close to home.
- Located at 412 Lower San Pedro Rd., La Mesilla, NM 87532
- A mission of Holy Cross Catholic Church, Santa Cruz, NM
- Part of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe
- Parish office phone: (505) 753-3345
- Parish email: [email protected]
Patron: Saint Isidore the Farmer
The chapel is named for Saint Isidore the Farmer (San Isidro Labrador), a Spanish farmworker who lived c. 1070–1130 and is venerated as patron of farmers, agricultural workers, and the city of Madrid. His feast day is celebrated on May 15. As a small farming community in northern New Mexico, La Mesilla finds a fitting patron in this saint of rural laborers and the land.
- Patron: Saint Isidore the Farmer (San Isidro Labrador)
- Feast Day: May 15
- Patronage: farmers, agricultural workers, rural communities
Clergy and Staff
The mission chapel is served by the clergy and staff of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Santa Cruz. The parish is led by a Sulpician (S.F.) priest and is assisted by a vicar, two deacons, and a full parish office staff.
- Fr. Hernando Cortés, S.F. — Pastor / Parish Administrator
- Fr. Juan Gerardo Sanchez, S.F. — Vicar
- Deacon Ernest Salazar — Deacon; Religious Education (English)
- Deacon Gabriel Romero — Deacon
- Debbie Valdez — Business Manager
- Renee P. Fresquez — Parish Secretary
- Melissa Esquibel — Office Assistant
- Elizaida Martinez — Bulletin Editor
- Ben Esquibel — Director, OCIA
- Angelica Juarez — Religious Education (Spanish)
- David Redman — Finance Council
- Enrique Trujillo — Pastoral Council
- Mr. John Arriola — School Principal
Parish Ministries
Through its connection to Holy Cross, the chapel shares in a full roster of parish ministries that welcome parishioners of all ages to grow in faith, serve others, and build lasting friendships. Ministries span liturgical service, faith formation, fellowship, youth work, and outreach to those in need.
- Acolytes — altar service and liturgical coordination
- Altar and Rosary Society — care of sanctuary, linens, and seasonal décor
- Catholic Bible Study — weekly Scripture study and discussion
- Catholic Daughters of the Americas (CDA) — prayer, fellowship, and charitable works
- Holy Family Coro — La Sagrada Familia (Monthly Home Visits)
- Lector / Commentator — proclaiming the Word and leading prayers
- Oasis of Peace Youth Group — faith formation and service for teens
- San Martin de Porres Soup Kitchen — meals and food assistance
- St. Vincent de Paul — food, clothing, utility and rent assistance
- Usher / Greeter — welcoming, seating, and collections
Sacraments and Faith Formation
All sacraments — including Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick — are coordinated through the Holy Cross parish office. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) prepares those entering the Catholic Church, and ongoing Religious Education is offered in both English and Spanish for parish children.
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — directed by Ben Esquibel
- Religious Education in English — Deacon Ernest Salazar
- Religious Education in Spanish — Angelica Juarez
- Contact parish office for Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick
Communications and Live Stream
Parishioners who cannot attend in person can join the Sunday 10:30 AM Mass via the Holy Cross YouTube channel or listen on the parish's radio station. A printable Spiritual Communion prayer is also available on the parish website.
- Sunday 10:30 AM Mass live-streamed on YouTube
- Parish radio broadcast on 96.7 FM St. Joseph Manyanet Catholic Radio
- Spiritual Communion prayer (printable PDF) on parish website
Contact and Office Hours
The parish office for Holy Cross / San Isidro Mission Chapel is open weekdays at the Holy Cross campus in Santa Cruz. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1228, Santa Cruz, NM 87567.
- Phone: (505) 753-3345
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM–1:00 PM and 2:00 PM–4:00 PM; Fri 9:00 AM–1:00 PM (closed for lunch 1:00–2:00 PM; closed on major holidays)
- Mailing: P.O. Box 1228, Santa Cruz, NM 87567