Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission…Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water and in the word. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1213)

The Sacrament of Baptism is administered as needed. If you have a child who needs to be baptized, please call the pastor, Fr. Angelo Marquez, at 575-776-2273 for more information. If a person is past the age of reason (age 7), that person will have need for a special program of formation before receiving this or any other of the sacraments of initiation (which also include Confirmation and Eucharist)—Fr. Angelo will be able to answer any questions in this regard as well.

At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1323)

Please note that the Eucharist is no symbol—it is the true Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of the Lord. Our reception of this Sacrament Most Holy deepens our bond to Christ. If you have interest in receiving the Eucharist, you must first be Catholic—you must be in communion with the Catholic Church on a spiritual level, with your whole mind. Call Fr. Angelo at 575-776-2273 for more information. Click here for our mass schedule.

On the evening of the first day of the week, Jesus showed himself to his apostles. He breathed on them, and said to them: Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1485, quoting John 20:19, 22-23)

The forgiveness of sins committed after Baptism is [given] by [this] particular sacrament [of Reconciliation, otherwise known as Confession]. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1486)

For confession times visit our Confession Times page.

Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the “sacraments of Christian initiation,” whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For by the sacrament of confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1285)

For more information, such as information regarding enrollment in Confirmation classes, call (575) 776-2273.

Illness can lead to anguish, self-absorption, sometimes even despair and revolt against God. It can also make a person more mature, helping him discern in his life what is not essential so that he can turn toward that which is. Very often illness provokes a search for God and a return to Him. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1501)

This Sacrament graces the Christian to turn toward God in his or her weakness and is a true source of healing—spiritual healing and, at times, physical healing. If you know someone who is in need of this Sacrament, please contact Fr. Angelo at (575) 776-2273. If you are experiencing an emergency, call Fr. Angelo directly by way of the emergency line: (575) 366-3108.

The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1601)

For a Catholic, one must at least have the Church’s permission to be validly married, even if the other party to be married is not Catholic. Couples wishing to be married must know that, in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, there is a period of at least four months of preparation for this sacrament. For inquires, or to begin this process of preparation, contact Fr. Angelo at (575) 776-2273. 

Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees: episcopate (the degree of the bishop), presbyterate (the degree of the ministerial priest), and diaconate (the degree of the deacon). (Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1536)

Without Holy Orders, the Church cannot go on! Who would forgive sins? Who would confect the Eucharist? If you are feeling a “tug of the heart” in this regard (and are male) be generous and realize that God wants life in abundance for His Church—His Church which includes you. For more information on vocations to the priesthood, please visit the Archdiocesan Vocations Website, or contact Fr. Angelo at 575-366-3108.