About St. Elizabeth of Hungary · Desert Hot Springs, California
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church is a bilingual (English and Spanish) parish of the Diocese of San Bernardino, located at 66700 Pierson Boulevard in Desert Hot Springs, California, in the Coachella Valley. Founded in 1946 from a mission that began in 1944-45, the parish traces its roots to a small group of 14 Catholics who first gathered for Mass in private homes, then worshiped in a Mission-style church completed in 1948. Today it serves more than 1,500 registered families — a mix of year-round residents and winter 'snowbirds' — with a robust sacramental life, faith formation for youth and adults, and a sizable Spanish-language ministry.
- Established
- 1946
- Patron
- St. Elizabeth of Hungary
- Rector
- Rev. Eliseus Uju (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of San Bernardino
Why belong here
St. Elizabeth of Hungary is a warm, bilingual parish where longtime locals and seasonal 'snowbird' worshipers gather side by side. With four Sunday Masses (one in English, three in Spanish), daily Mass Tuesday through Friday, a Saturday-evening Spanish Mass, ongoing RCIA, faith formation for First Communion and Confirmation, a Food Pantry, Communion to the Homebound, Knights of Columbus, Bible Study, and active liturgical ministries (Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Music, Altar Society), the parish offers many concrete ways to plug in — whether you're a cradle Catholic, a newcomer, or a Spanish-speaker looking for a faith community in the Coachella Valley.
Mass times at St. Elizabeth of Hungary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Adoration times
- First Friday of the month 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament)
Our Story
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church grew out of a small mission in the Coachella Valley that began in 1944-45, when just 14 Catholics gathered for Mass in private homes. A Mission-style church was completed in 1948, and the parish — established under the Diocese of San Bernardino in 1946 — has continued to grow with the city of Desert Hot Springs ever since. Today it serves more than 1,500 registered families in a worshiping community that welcomes both year-round residents and the winter 'snowbirds' who flock to the desert for the warm season.
- Mission founded 1944-45
- Parish established 1946
- First Mass in original Mission-style church: April 17, 1948
- New church building fund launched January 1981
- First Mass in present church: April 4, 1985
- Fr. Edward McGuinness served as pastor 1992-2005
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Elizabeth prepares baptized youths for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation, and also welcomes unbaptized adults and youth over age 7 through the RCIA process. Registration for the 2026-27 academic year runs from July 16, 2025 through August 28, 2026, with orientation on September 29, 2025 and classes running through May 26, 2026. All registration takes place at the parish's Guadalupe Center on the campus.
- Confirmation class: Mondays 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
- RCIA: Tuesdays 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
- First Communion: Wednesdays and Thursdays 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
- Registration: Mon–Fri 8:30–11:00 AM and 1:00–3:00 PM; Mon–Thu 6:00–8:30 PM
- First Communion coordinator: Lupita Torres De Murillo
- Confirmation coordinator: Veronica Ocampoz
RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
The parish RCIA program (RICA in Spanish) is the entry point for adults seeking full membership in the Catholic Church, as well as for unbaptized youth over the age of seven. Participants engage in spiritual formation through prayer, sharing, and study over approximately two years, and are invited to download registration forms, medical/liability waivers, and Circle of Grace participation forms in advance.
- Open to adults and youth over 7 not yet baptized
- Typically a two-year formation journey
- Forms available on the parish website
Confirmation Preparation
Confirmation preparation at St. Elizabeth begins when a youth turns 14 and lasts two years, with the sacrament usually conferred after the youth reaches 16. Candidates bring a birth certificate, Baptism certificate, First Communion certificate, and a copy of their health insurance card at registration, along with the standard parish waivers.
- Begins at age 14, two-year process
- Classes Mondays 7:00–8:30 PM
- Coordinator: Veronica Ocampoz
Other Sacraments
Beyond the sacraments of initiation, the parish offers preparation for Baptism (Baptism Preparation class), Matrimony (Marriage Preparation and Enrichment), and Quinceañeras — the popular Hispanic celebration of a young woman's 15th birthday.
- Baptism Preparation
- Matrimony Preparation and Enrichment
- Quinceañeras
Parish Ministries & Volunteer Life
St. Elizabeth organizes its ministry life into four streams — Worship Services, Faith Education, Prayer & Reflection, and Community Outreach — and invites parishioners to share their gifts through the many teams listed on the parish website. In addition to liturgical roles (Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Music, Altar Society) and formation roles, the parish runs a Food Pantry, takes Communion to the Homebound, and supports parish grounds and decoration through volunteer committees.
- Worship: Hospitality, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Altar Society, Music
- Faith Education: Youth Ministry, Youth Religious Education, Adult Religious Education, Baptism Preparation, Matrimony Preparation, Quinceañeras
- Prayer & Reflection: Prayer Group, Community of Faith, Bible Study, Bereavement
- Outreach: Food Pantry, Communion to the Homebound, Knights of Columbus
- Facilities: Church Decoration, Grounds Landscaping & Maintenance
Community Outreach
Outreach is central to parish life. The Food Pantry helps local families in need, the Communion-to-the-Homebound ministry brings the Eucharist to those who cannot attend Mass, and the parish also supports cultural gatherings such as the Food Fests (Kermes) and Processions (Caminatas) that mark the liturgical year.
- Food Pantry
- Communion to the Homebound
- Knights of Columbus
- Food Fests / Kermes
- Processions / Caminatas
Parish Staff & Office
The parish is administered by Fr. Eliseus Uju and served by Deacons Jose Rene Quiroz and Jose Luz Ramirez. The office team includes Office Manager Maribel Ramirez and Receptionist Betty Orellana, with Lupita Torres De Murillo coordinating First Communion and RCIA and Veronica Ocampoz coordinating Confirmation. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM; the office is closed on major holidays and from December 24, 2025 through January 4, 2026.
- Administrator: Rev. Eliseus Uju
- Deacon Jose Rene Quiroz
- Deacon Jose Luz Ramirez
- Office Manager: Maribel Ramirez
- Receptionist: Betty Orellana
- First Communion / RCIA Coordinator: Lupita Torres De Murillo
- Confirmation Coordinator: Veronica Ocampoz
Visit & Contact
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church is located at 66700 Pierson Boulevard in Desert Hot Springs, California, with the mailing ZIP 92240. Visitors can reach the parish office at (760) 329-8794 (fax 760-329-6760) or by email at [email protected]. Faith-formation registration and many parish events take place at the on-campus Guadalupe Center.
- Address: 66700 Pierson Blvd, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
- Phone: (760) 329-8794
- Fax: (760) 329-6760
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Edward McGuinness1992–2005
Instrumental in leading the parish into a vibrant, Spirit-filled worshiping community.
- Fr. Dennis Legaspi
Identified by the Diocese of San Bernardino history page as a former administrator.