Around a dozen residents of Rocky Point attend Mass every Sunday at St. Joseph’s Church in La Cholla. That number would not be sufficient to warrant the services of a priest and altar servers each week; however, the church enjoys a year-round flow of visitors and seasonal residents.
“We have 14 pews and during the non-humid months, the church will be close to full,” said Bob Keller, sexton for St. Joseph’s. “With the only bilingual Mass in Rocky Point, and a very charismatic pastor, St. Joseph’s has become the church home-away-from-home for hundreds.”
Fewer visitors come to Rocky Point in the humid months, mid-July to mid-September, so even though the church is now air conditioned, attendance dwindles. Nonetheless, Padre Marco Lopez has pledged to continue Sunday Mass year-round.
“Puerto Peñasco is a favorite vacation destination for Mexican nationals who love the sea and the off-road vehicles,” Keller said. “So in the summer we welcome the visiting Mexican families. In the fall we look forward to seeing our Gringo friends.”
If the call of the sea brings you to Rocky Point this summer, or this fall, you are invited to attend the bilingual Mass at 8:30 on Sunday. To reach St. Joseph’s (San José), take the paved road past the Sandy Beach Condos and the sand road past Wrecked at the Reef. As you wind your way toward Cholla Bay, the church is on the right and clearly marked.
For information about other services and sacraments at the church, contact Keller by e-mail at: bob@keller.net or by text or phone at 928-706-6928.
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St. Joseph’s/San José Church in La Cholla offers bilingual Mass every Sunday morning at 8:30.
