Santa Maria De La Paz Catholic Church: Deeper Impact
Santa Maria de la Paz Catholic Church: Deeper Impact
Santa Maria de la Paz Catholic Church is a vibrant Catholic parish located at 11 College Ave, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87508, established on January 1, 1990, by Archbishop Robert F. Sanchez under the patronage of Our Lady of Peace, serving over 1,850 registered families with bilingual Masses and 40+ ministries. The parish offers five weekend Masses including a bilingual English-Spanish liturgy, daily Mass Monday through Friday at 12:15pm, Eucharistic Adoration on First Fridays, and robust youth ministry through LifeTeen, embodying the Catholic faith community mission to worship together, deepen relationship with God, and become co-creators of a more just society.
Parish History and Founding Timeline
The parish emerged in response to Santa Fe's southside population growth, with its first Mass held on January 13, 1990, in Pinon Elementary School's gym before drawing 250 initial families across southwest Santa Fe boundaries. Founding pastor Fr. Jerome Martinez y Alire led the community for its first decade, overseeing the building campaign "A Time to Build" that broke ground on February 28, 1993, and culminated in the church's formal dedication by Archbishop Michael Sheehan on July 10, 1994.
- January 1, 1990: Parish established by Archbishop Robert F. Sanchez
- January 13, 1990: First Mass at Pinon Elementary School gym
- September 1992: Detailed design and costing complete
- February 28, 1993: Ground broken for new church
- June 11, 1994: First liturgy in new Parish home
- July 10, 1994: Church formally dedicated by Archbishop Sheehan
- June 2001: Parish paid off entire debt (7 years early)
- 2003: San José Chapel and Social Center dedicated
- 2016: "A Time to Renew" capital campaign launched
- 2022: Fr. Darrell J. Segura, Jr. appointed pastor
Worship Schedule and Sacramental Life
The parish maintains a comprehensive Mass schedule designed for diverse community needs, with Saturday Mass at 5:00pm (including Anointing Mass on the 3rd Saturday) and Sunday Masses at 7:30am, 9:30am (live-streamed on YouTube with on-screen interpreter), 11:30am (bilingual), and 5:00pm (LifeTeen). Daily Mass occurs Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 12:15pm, while Tuesday daily Mass is celebrated en español at 12:15pm, reflecting the parish's commitment to bilingual worship serving its growing Hispanic population.
| Service Type | Day/Time | Location/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday Mass | 5:00pm | Anointing Mass 3rd Saturday monthly |
| Sunday Mass | 7:30am, 9:30am, 11:30am, 5:00pm | 9:30am live-streamed; 11:30am bilingual |
| Daily Mass (English) | Mon/Wed/Thu/Fri 12:15pm | Main Church |
| Daily Mass (Spanish) | Tuesday 12:15pm | en español |
| Confession | Saturday 3:30-4:45pm | Reconciliation Chapel or by appointment |
| Eucharistic Adoration | First Friday 9:00am (24hr) | Benediction 9:00am Saturday |
Community Ministry and Social Impact
With over 700 volunteers active in approximately 40 liturgical and non-liturgical ministries (pre-COVID-19), the parish demonstrates measurable community engagement through its Food Pantry, Adult Religious Education program, Children of Mary, Rosary for Peace in the Holy Land, Men's Bible Study, and Monica's Mantle of Prayer. The parish's mission statement explicitly commits to fulfilling Jesus' mission, worshiping together, being a compassionate people, becoming co-creators of a more just society, and honoring Mary's ministry as peacemaker.
- Children of Mary: First Saturday monthly, Rosary 9:30am, Mass 10:00am
- Rosary for Holy Land: First Tuesday monthly at 6:00pm
- Men's Bible Study: Tuesdays 6:00am in Msgr. Jerome Parish Hall
- Monica's Mantle of Prayer: First Wednesday monthly at 11:00am
- Contemplative Prayer: First & third Thursday monthly at 11:15am
- LifeTeen: Sunday 5:00pm youth ministry
- Food Pantry: Parish office during business hours for food insecurity support
Marist Educational Values and Catholic Parish Mission
While Santa Maria de la Paz operates within the Archdiocese of Santa Fe rather than as a Marist institution, its holistic education approach through Adult Religious Education, catechism programs, and youth formation aligns with Marist pedagogy principles of presence, simplicity, family spirit, love of work, and following in the way of Mary-core pillars established by Saint Marcellin Champagnat in 1817 for forming "good Christians and good citizens". The parish's emphasis on stewardship of time, talents, and treasure mirrors Marist educational rigor blended with spiritual and social mission, demonstrating how Catholic parishes across Latin America and the Americas integrate faith formation with community service.
The parish's Spanish Colonial Mission Style architecture, incorporating native materials and religious artworks of the Southwest, reflects the cultural diversity celebration essential to both Latin American Catholic communities and Marist educational philosophy, creating a barrier-free environment that reverences the gift of people across physical, developmental, and cultural differences. This architectural and programmatic approach positions Santa Maria de la Paz as a model for Catholic community engagement that school administrators and educators studying Marist pedagogy can reference for integrating spiritual formation with practical social outreach.
Contact Information and Parish Resources
For those seeking to connect with the parish community, Santa Maria de la Paz provides multiple engagement pathways: phone at +1-505-473-4200 for ticket inquiry and general contact, website at www.smdlp.org for full schedules and announcements, and the Hallow prayer app linked via ZIP code 87508 for digital faith formation. The parish office operates during regular business hours for Food Pantry access, Adult Religious Education enrollment, and sacramental preparation for First Holy Communion and Confirmation, which require parent/guardian participation in ARE programs or Lenten retreats.
Child safety protocols require adults to accompany children leaving the sanctuary during Mass for any reason, demonstrating the parish's priority on child protection in worship spaces while maintaining welcoming, family-friendly liturgical environments. Online donation capabilities through QR code scanning enable parishioners to support the work of the church, sustaining the 40+ ministries and facility maintenance that have kept the church operational since its 1994 dedication.
What are the most common questions about Santa Maria De La Paz Catholic Church Deeper Impact?
When was Santa Maria de la Paz Catholic Church founded?
The parish was officially established on January 1, 1990, by Archbishop Robert F. Sanchez, with its first Mass held on January 13, 1990, at Pinon Elementary School, and the church building formally dedicated on July 10, 1994, by Archbishop Michael Sheehan.
Where is Santa Maria de la Paz Catholic Church located?
The church is located at 11 College Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87508-9225, approximately two miles from its original parish boundary center on Santa Fe's southside, accessible via St. Francis Dr./US-285 south to Zia Road, then west to College Ave.
What are the Mass times at Santa Maria de la Paz?
Weekend Masses are Saturday 5:00pm and Sunday 7:30am, 9:30am (live-streamed), 11:30am (bilingual), and 5:00pm (LifeTeen); Daily Mass is Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday at 12:15pm, and Tuesday at 12:15pm (Spanish).
How many families does Santa Maria de la Paz serve?
The parish grew from approximately 250 families in 1990 to over 1,850 registered families by 2019, when it celebrated its 25th Anniversary of the Church Edifice, with five weekend Masses accommodating its growing Hispanic population.
Does Santa Maria de la Paz offer bilingual services?
Yes, the parish offers a bilingual English-Spanish Mass at Sunday 11:30am, Tuesday daily Mass en español at 12:15pm, and Stations of the Cross/Via Crucis during Lent, reflecting its commitment to cultural diversity and welcoming Hispanic community members.
