Padre Marco Lopez has a place to lay his head. The nearly year-long project of building a residence for the new pastor of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, was complete enough last month, to allow him to move in.

Small “punch list” items will still need to be taken care of, but he comfortably relocated, along with his dog Sisi and his cat Athanasius.

A small fenced area will be added at the front of the residence, blinds will be installed and some household items are still needed; but the house is essentially complete.

“We are eternally grateful to the many generous donors who contributed thousands of dollars over the last year to make this addition possible,” said Bob Keller, sexton for St. Joseph’s. “The donations kept pace with the construction, so we never needed to halt or to borrow, and that is a great blessing.

“Our contractor, Julio Valenzuela, gave us a generous ‘God Discount,’ as did many local suppliers. Those discounts made it possible for us to upgrade to more durable materials,” Keller added.

Padre Marco and his pets moved out of the apartment he was renting and now have a quiet, comfortable home. The money that was budgeted for his rent can now be used to help those in need, particularly at the migrant shelter which Marco oversees at the request of the Bishop.

“With the residence all but complete, we can now turn our efforts to helping Padre provide the food, clothing and shelter for the men women and children who found their way here while seeking a better life,” Keller said.

St. Joseph’s offers the only bilingual Mass in Puerto Peñasco, every Sunday morning at 8:30. To reach the church, take the paved road past the Sandy Beach resorts and the dirt road past Wrecked at the Reef. As you wind toward Cholla Bay, the church is on the right and clearly marked.

For information about services, contact Bob Keller by e-mail at bob@keller.net or by phone or text at 928-706-6928.

Cutline:

Sexton Bob Keller checks the kitchen after installation of the appliances by Muebles Coloniales and the granite by Artesanos Mexicanos on Benito Juarez.