San Martin De Porres

Parish History

San Martin de Porres traces its roots to the Mexican-American residents and migrant workers of the Sahuarita area who began gathering for Mass together with their families in the early 1960s. The community grew as a mission served from Our Lady of the Valley parish, and in 1983 the present all-purpose church/hall building was constructed on land donated by FICO co-owner R. Keith Walden. The mission was raised to parish status on December 12, 2002 by Bishop Manuel Moreno, with Fr. Michael Shay, S.D.S. as its first pastor and Deacon Peter Grimaldo assisting. The parish is now looking toward a new, dedicated church building through its 'Hope and a Future' capital campaign following the May 2020 purchase of 15 acres of land.

• Early 1960s: Mexican-American farmworkers and ranchers in the Sahuarita area begin gathering for Mass
• 1983: All-purpose church/hall built for $250,000 on land donated by R. Keith Walden (FICO)
• July 1, 2000: Fr. Michael Shay, S.D.S. named administrator of the mission
• December 12, 2002: Bishop Manuel Moreno raises mission to parish status; Fr. Shay named First Pastor
• After Fr. Shay's retirement: Fr. Jens-Peter 'Jay' Jensen Jr. named Administrator pro tem by Bishop Gerald Kicanas
• July 1, 2013: Fr. Juan Carlos Aguirre installed as Second Pastor
• May 2020: Parish purchases 15 acres and launches 'Hope and a Future' capital campaign

About Our Patron Saint — St. Martin de Porres

The parish's patron, St. Martin de Porres, was born in Lima, Peru on December 9, 1579. He was the illegitimate son of a Spanish gentleman and a freed slave from Panama, of African or possibly Native American descent. Martin's life of humility, charity to the poor, and care for the sick made him one of the most beloved saints of the Americas and a fitting patron for a multicultural, bilingual parish. His feast day is November 3.

• Born: December 9, 1579 in Lima, Peru
• Heritage: son of a Spanish gentleman and a freed slave from Panama
• Feast Day: November 3
• Known for: humility, charity to the poor, healing the sick

Parish Mission

The parish mission is published in both English and Spanish on the website: 'We are the Catholic community in Sahuarita, Arizona, committed to proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Nurtured by the Eucharist, we spread His love to all through the Word, the Sacraments and acts of charity in our everyday lives.' The Spanish-language version reads: 'Somos la comunidad católica en Sahuarita, Arizona, comprometida a proclamar el Evangelio de Jesucristo. Alimentados por la Eucaristía, propagamos Su amor a todos por medio de la Palabra, los Sacramentos y los hechos de caridad en nuestra vida diaria.'

Clergy, Staff & Parish Council

The parish is currently led by Pastor Rev. Fr. Martin Martinez, with Deacon David Caballero assisting. Lay and administrative staff include Office Manager Irina Bostick, Coordinator of Religious Education Christine Gomez, Office Assistant Yesenia Miranda, Youth Minister Matt Gomez, and Facilities Manager Albert Le Page. The Parish Council and committee chairs coordinate the life of the parish across ministries, liturgy, hospitality, music, faith formation, the Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, the Fiesta Committee, the Spanish Ministry, and the Women's Prayer Group.

• Pastor: Rev. Fr. Martin Martinez
• Deacon: Deacon David Caballero
• Office Manager: Irina Bostick
• Coordinator of Religious Education: Christine Gomez
• Office Assistant: Yesenia Miranda
• Youth Minister: Matt Gomez
• Facilities Manager: Albert Le Page
• Parish Council Chair: Jim Harris
• Treasurer: Myrl Johanning
• Director of Growth & Development: Tom Murphy

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Faith Formation at San Martin de Porres is built on the conviction that the family is the domestic church and parents are the primary spiritual and moral educators of their children. The parish supports parents through classroom instruction, in-home lessons, and participation in Mass. Programs include a two-year First Holy Communion preparation (children must be at least 7 years old), ongoing Young Formation for ages 8–11, and Confirmation preparation for older youth. The parish also runs OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) for non-baptized adults and baptized Christians seeking full communion, with the support of catechists and the Religious Education team.

• First Holy Communion — 2-year program, child must be at least 7 years old
• Young Formation (ages 8–11) — continuing faith formation after First Communion
• Confirmation preparation
• OCIA (RCIA) — adults seeking baptism, First Communion, or full communion
• Circle of Grace — child safety program (offered the second week of September 2025)
• Vacation Bible School (VBS) — weeklong summer faith formation day camp

Youth Ministry

The parish runs separate youth groups for middle school and high school students, both meeting in the Knights of Columbus Room adjacent to the Parish Office. The High School Youth Group meets every Saturday from 6:00 to 7:30 PM; the Middle School Youth Group meets every Monday from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. The Youth Minister (Matt Gomez) coordinates the program with support from parent volunteers.

• High School Youth Group — Saturdays 6:00–7:30 PM
• Middle School Youth Group — Mondays 6:00–7:30 PM
• Location: Knights of Columbus Room (adjacent to Parish Office)

Parish Ministries & Organizations

A wide range of ministries, organizations, and committees support the spiritual and community life of the parish. Liturgical roles include Altar Servers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and the Music Ministry. Outreach and fellowship groups include the Hospitality Committee, Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Fiesta Committee, and the Women's Prayer Group and Men's Prayer Group. The parish also maintains a Spanish Ministry (Ministerio Hispano) and a Grupo de Oración, along with the Liturgy Committee that coordinates worship.

• Liturgy Committee (Shelly McCullough-Cruz)
• Music Ministry (Minh Solorzano)
• Altar Servers (Raul Barrera)
• Lectors
• Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
• Ushers
• Hospitality Committee (Leticia Estrada)
• Knights of Columbus (Steve Slye & Raul Barrera)
• St. Vincent de Paul Society (Leticia Estrada)
• Fiesta Committee (Benjamin Gaska)
• Spanish Ministry (Luis Gonzalez Orsini)
• Grupo de Oración
• Women's Prayer Group (Trisha Leger)
• Men's Prayer Group

Outreach & Charity — St. Vincent de Paul

The parish's St. Vincent de Paul Society serves Sahuarita families through a food pantry and rent and utility assistance, among other forms of help. The conference is always looking for new members to assist with these works of charity. Those interested are encouraged to call the parish office at (520) 625-1154 or email [email protected].

• Food pantry
• Rent and utility assistance
• Contact: 520-625-1154 / [email protected]

Devotions, Prayer Groups & Bible Study

Throughout the week, the parish gathers for prayer, study, and devotion. Fr. Martin Martinez leads a Bible Study on Wednesdays at 4:00 PM in the Knights of Columbus Room. The Women's Prayer Group meets every Saturday morning at 8:30 AM in the main church, and the Men's Prayer Group meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 6:30 PM in the church. During Lent, the parish adds Fish Fry Fridays (5:30–7:30 PM in the parish patio), Confessions and Stations of the Cross on Fridays, and Pláticas Cuaresmales in Spanish on Tuesday evenings.

• Bible Study with Fr. Martin Martinez — Wednesdays 4:00 PM (Knights of Columbus Room)
• Women's Prayer Group — Saturdays 8:30 AM (main church)
• Men's Prayer Group — 2nd & 4th Monday, 6:30 PM (church)
• Grupo de Oración (Spanish prayer group)
• Fish Fry Fridays (Lent) — 5:30–7:30 PM in the parish patio
• Confessions & Stations of the Cross (Lent Fridays) — 5:00 PM & 6:00 PM in the church
• Pláticas Cuaresmales (Lent, Spanish) — Tuesdays 7:00–8:00 PM

Sacraments

San Martin de Porres prepares parishioners for the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) and supports families through First Holy Communion and Confirmation formation. First Holy Communion preparation is a two-year program, and children must be at least 7 years old to receive the sacrament. Adults seeking baptism, First Communion, or full communion in the Catholic Church are welcomed through the OCIA (RCIA) process.

• Baptism
• First Holy Communion (2-year preparation)
• Confirmation
• OCIA / RCIA for adults

Hope and a Future — Capital Campaign

In May 2020, San Martin de Porres purchased 15 acres of land to plan and build a new, dedicated church. The parish has launched the 'Hope and a Future' capital campaign to fund the project, in parallel with continued growth of the parish community. This is a defining chapter in the life of the parish as it transitions from its long-time all-purpose building toward a new home.

• 15 acres purchased May 2020
• Campaign name: 'Hope and a Future'
• Goal: build a new, dedicated church

Annual Catholic Appeal (Diocese of Tucson)

San Martin de Porres participates in the Diocese of Tucson's Annual Catholic Appeal. The 2026 parish goal is $38,274 with a 100% participation goal. The ACA funds ministries and programs that serve every parish in the diocese, including San Martin de Porres itself.

• 2026 parish goal: $38,274
• 100% participation goal
• Theme: 'This is the Hour for Love!'

Volunteering & Safe Environment

Parishioners are encouraged to volunteer across the parish's many ministries. Background checks and Safe Environment training are required and must be repeated every 3 years. To volunteer, applicants complete the Diocese of Tucson's online application and register under 'San Martin de Porres - Sahuarita'.

• Faith Formation (Catechism Teachers & Aides, OCIA catechist)
• Knights of Columbus
• Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
• Lectors
• Hospitality
• Music Ministry
• Altar Servers
• Youth Groups
• Women's & Men's Prayer Groups
• Grupo de Oración
• Bible Study
• Fiesta Committee
• Ushers