About St. Rita in the Desert · Vail, Arizona
St. Rita in the Desert is a Roman Catholic parish in Vail, Arizona, in the Diocese of Tucson, centered on a 1935 Mission Revival shrine that is the only Catholic church in the United States built in memory of a Japanese citizen. The parish welcomes families from Vail and the surrounding Sonoran desert communities, celebrating Mass in English and Spanish across two campuses — the historic St. Rita Shrine (daily Mass) and the St. John XXIII Center (weekend Masses). It offers religious education K-12, youth ministry, OCIA, a vibrant music program, men's and women's fellowship groups, a St. Vincent de Paul Conference, and an annual parish Harvest Festival.
- Established
- 1935
- Patron
- St. Rita of Cascia
- Rector
- Fr. Alonzo Garcia
- Diocese
- Diocese of Tucson
Why belong here
St. Rita in the Desert is a family-oriented Catholic community rooted in a uniquely historic 1935 Mission Revival shrine — the only Catholic church in the U.S. built in memory of a Japanese citizen — set in the open beauty of the Sonoran desert. The parish lives out the Gospel through daily Mass in English and a Spanish Sunday Mass, weekly Faith Formation for K-12, OCIA for adults, a strong music ministry and choir, youth ministry, men's and women's Bible study and fellowship, a St. Vincent de Paul Conference, food-distribution outreach, and the beloved annual Harvest Festival. Whether you are a lifelong Catholic, a returning parishioner, or simply seeking a spiritual home, the parish welcomes all who wish to worship, serve, and grow in faith together.
Mass times at St. Rita in the Desert
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Friday, 8:00 am (St. Rita Shrine)
- Saturday, 3:30–4:30 pm (St. John XXIII Center)
- By appointment (call the Parish Office)
Adoration times
- Friday, 8:30–9:30 am (St. Rita Shrine, after morning Mass)
- First Sunday of the month, 3:00–4:00 pm (St. John XXIII Center)
History of St. Rita in the Desert
Built in 1935 as a memorial to Dr. Jokichi Takamine, the Shrine of Santa Rita in the Desert has been the faith center of Vail for nearly 90 years. Founded by Caroline Takamine Beach as a place of worship for the rural Hispanic ranch hands, railroad workers, and homesteaders of the area, it grew from humble beginnings — early Masses in the Vail schoolhouse beginning in 1927 — into a full parish in 1968, serving thousands today across its historic Shrine and the newer St. John XXIII Center.
- Built 1935 as the Shrine of Santa Rita in the Desert
- Consecrated and dedicated March 31, 1935 (approximately 600 in attendance; community barbecue)
- Served by Franciscan and diocesan priests, 1935–1968
- Elevated to full parish status in 1968 — became St. Rita in the Desert
- St. John XXIII Center built to host weekend Masses as Vail's population grew
- Listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2015
Founding Story — Caroline Takamine Beach
Caroline Beach, a devout Catholic, was determined that the people of the small railroad and ranching community of Vail would have a place to worship. She began arranging for Sunday Mass in the Vail schoolhouse as early as 1927 and, with her husband, acquired land for the Shrine — which she built as a memorial for her late first husband, Dr. Jokichi Takamine (1854–1922), a distinguished Japanese biochemist. It remains the only Catholic church in the United States built in memory of a Japanese citizen.
Architecture of the Shrine
The 1935 Shrine is a Mission Revival building marked by simplicity, symmetry, and several treasured sacred objects: stained-glass windows rescued from Tucson's First United Methodist Church (purchased in 1931), a hand-carved Bavarian crucifix, a statue of St. Rita of Cascia, a green marble baptismal font, and an altar and tabernacle crafted from stone quarried from the nearby mountains.
Mass & Worship Schedule
The parish celebrates the Eucharist on two campuses: the historic St. Rita Shrine hosts daily Mass Monday through Friday, and the St. John XXIII Center hosts the Saturday Vigil, all Sunday Masses (including a Spanish Mass), and Saturday afternoon Confession. Eucharistic Adoration is offered every Friday morning at the Shrine and on the first Sunday of each month at the John XXIII Center.
- Daily Mass: Mon–Fri 8:00 am (Shrine)
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 pm (St. John XXIII Center)
- Sunday Masses: 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 12:00 noon Spanish (St. John XXIII Center)
- Confession: Sat 3:30–4:30 pm (John XXIII Center) and Mon–Fri 8:00 am (Shrine); by appointment
- Adoration: Fri 8:30–9:30 am (Shrine); 1st Sunday 3:00–4:00 pm (John XXIII Center)
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Fr. Alonzo Garcia (Pastor) and Deacon Ron Desmarais, supported by an Administrative Assistant, Secretary, Business Manager, Compliance officer, Bulletin Editor, Facilities Manager, and Maintenance staff, plus Directors of Religious Education, Youth Ministry, Music, and the Choir. Parishioners can find bulletin, sacramental, and office details through the Parish Office.
- Fr. Alonzo Garcia — Pastor
- Deacon Ron Desmarais
- Veronica Garcia — Secretary
- Chris Metzger — Administrative Assistant
- Louise Azzopardi — Business Manager
- Mary Morgan — Compliance
- Kathy Lockard — Bulletin Editor
- Rob King — Facilities Manager
- Bill Cline — Maintenance
Faith Formation & Religious Education (K–12)
St. Rita's offers weekly religious education to assist parents as primary educators of their children, using the Word of Life Series (Ignatius Press / Augustine Institute). Classes meet on Sundays from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, with registration fees of $60 for the first/second child and $50 for each additional child in grades K–5 (sacrament fees $20). Sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation is woven into the program; scholarships are available through the DRE, Geraldine Durman.
- Grades K–8 weekly catechesis
- Curriculum: Word of Life Series (Ignatius Press × Augustine Institute)
- Class times: Sundays 2:00–4:00 pm
- Sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation
- Director of Religious Education: Geraldine Durman ([email protected])
Youth Ministry
Carolyn Reynolds leads the parish's Youth Ministry, providing faith formation for Middle School and High School students. Parish youth have been recognized at the diocesan level — most recently with St. Carlo Acutis (liturgical service), St. Katharine Drexel (service to the poor), and St. Augustine (missionary discipleship) awards presented at St. Augustine Cathedral in February 2026.
Adult Formation — OCIA (RCIA)
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) is the parish's process for welcoming new adult members into the Catholic Church through a journey of inquiry, catechumenate, Rite of Election, reception of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation) at the Easter Vigil, and Mystagogy. The OCIA team of sponsors guides seekers and inquirers through scripture, tradition, and Church doctrine. Geraldine Durman serves as the parish OCIA Coordinator.
- Pre-Catechumenate (Period of Inquiry)
- Rite of Initiation / Catechumenate
- Rite of Election (catechumens received by the bishop)
- Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil
- Mystagogy (post-Easter reflection and formation)
Men's and Women's Fellowship
Two signature adult fellowship groups anchor parish life. The Catholic Brotherhood is a men's fellowship rooted in prayer, formation, and brotherhood — meeting the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Mondays of each month from 6:00–7:30 pm in the Oscar Romero Room (Verhagen Hall), with a special First Saturday gathering for 8:00 am Mass at the Shrine followed by breakfast. The Women's Bible Study meets Wednesdays from 9:00–10:30 am, drawing on FORMED and Augustine Institute studies, with input and discussion on a variety of Catholic subjects.
- Catholic Brotherhood (Men): Mon 6:00–7:30 pm, Oscar Romero Room; 1st Saturday Mass & breakfast
- Women's Bible Study: Wed 9:00–10:30 am, Oscar Romero Room
- Guild of St. Rita
Music & Liturgical Ministries
The parish has a robust Music Ministry directed by Irene Toews and a Choir led by Nancy Campman Crofts, with parish cantor Reagan LaGuardia recently recognized at the diocesan level for liturgical leadership. Liturgical ministry opportunities also include lectors, altar servers, and Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist.
- Music Ministry (Director: Irene Toews)
- Choir (Director: Nancy Campman Crofts)
- Cantors, Lectors, Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
Family Faith Formation
Family Faith Formation gathers families monthly on a Saturday afternoon (12:00–3:00 pm) to pray the Rosary together, share a pot-luck dinner, and enjoy family activities such as swimming, horseshoes, and horseback riding — building faith and friendships across generations.
Outreach & Social Justice
Beyond its liturgical and formation ministries, St. Rita's serves the wider Vail community through its St. Vincent de Paul Conference, food-distribution outreach, clothing drives, and ongoing volunteer support for the Vail Food Bank. The parish's annual Harvest Festival is itself a community-building fundraiser benefiting these parish and community outreach efforts.
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference
- Vail Food Bank volunteer support
- Clothing drives
- Outreach food distribution
Vocations Ministry
The Vocations Ministry, currently led by Adam LaGuardia, exists to help parishioners discern God's call across vocations — Priesthood, Religious Life, Permanent Diaconate, Marriage and Family, and Consecrated Single Life — collaborating with the Diocese of Tucson and other parishes to foster a culture of vocations.
Sacraments
Information and preparation for the seven Catholic Sacraments — including Baptism, Eucharist (First Communion), Confirmation, Matrimony, and Anointing of the Sick — is available through the Parish Office, with infant Baptism requests handled via the parish's online 'Intent to Baptize' form and adult initiation handled through OCIA.
- Baptism (infant and adult) — preparation required; Intent to Baptize online form
- First Communion (via Faith Formation)
- Confirmation (youth via Faith Formation; adults via OCIA)
- Matrimony — contact the parish office
- Anointing of the Sick / Funerals — contact the parish office
St. Rita Harvest Festival (Annual Fundraiser)
The annual St. Rita Harvest Festival — dating back to the 1990s — is a beloved two-day Vail community tradition with raffles (including a Big Cash Raffle with $2,500/$1,000/$500 prizes and a 50/50), a quilt raffle, craft vendors, kids' train ride, food and drink, white-elephant and silent auctions, and free entertainment by local artists. It is a major fundraiser supporting parish outreach and the St. Vincent de Paul Conference.
- Two-day festival each October
- Big Cash Raffle, 50/50, Quilt Raffle, Silent Auction
- Craft vendors, kids' activities, food, live entertainment
- Hosted at 13260 E. Colossal Cave Rd, Vail AZ
- Contact: [email protected]
Visiting St. Rita in the Desert
Parishioners and visitors worship at two connected sites off E. Colossal Cave Road in Vail: the historic 1935 St. Rita Shrine (daily Mass, Friday Adoration, weekday confessions) and the larger St. John XXIII Center (weekend Masses including the Saturday Vigil and Sunday Spanish Mass, Saturday confessions, first-Sunday Adoration). The Parish Office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 2:00 pm; the parish encourages visitors to consult the weekly bulletin or call (520) 762-9688 for the most current information.
- Address: 13260 E. Colossal Cave Road, Vail, AZ 85641
- Parish Office: Mon–Thu, 8:00 am–2:00 pm
- Phone: (520) 762-9688
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: stritainthedesert.org