(We speak English and Spanish)

There’s an old joke that people who seek God/religion late in life are “studying for the final exam” or “buying fire insurance.” A greater truth may be that when we mature, there’s more room in our lives and in our minds for faith and an examination of life and death.

The vast majority of Norte Americanos who make Rocky Point their full-time or seasonal home are at that stage of life; but because of the language barrier, the opportunities for fully participating in a faith community are limited.

Most have heard of, if not attended, Family of God Church. It is an evangelical Christian community where the messages are delivered in English, with Spanish speakers using headsets to hear a translation. The other bilingual option is St. Joseph’s (San José) Catholic Chapel in La Choya.

There are 10 Catholic churches or chapels in Puerto Peñasco. St. Joseph’s in La Choya is the only one offering bilingual Mass. At St. Joe’s passages from the Old Testament, New Testament and Gospel are all read in Spanish and English. The music verses alternate languages and the liturgical prayers and responses are printed in the hymnal so worshipers can follow along.

Pastor Father Marco is learning English but says most of the service and the homily, or sermon, in Spanish. Then a translation is given by a member of the congregation. “Many people have helped us with translation over the 10 years we have been having Mass here,” said Bob Keller, sexton at St. Joe’s. “They were all a blessing; but they were visitors or seasonal residents. We are particularly pleased to now have Andrea and Ramon Rivera who are full-time residents of Peñasco.”

Andrea and Ramon were high school sweethearts who married and had a family. They moved to Rocky Point a few years ago. Although they are both Spanish speakers, they wanted to experience the bilingual Mass and Andrea was soon recruited as a translator. Though Spanish is her second language her translation skills are superb.

Of course, you do not need to be a Catholic to attend services at St. Joe’s. Those who would simply like to hear the scripture and an inspirational sermon in English (and Spanish) are welcome to attend. Mass is offered every Sunday at 9 a.m.

To reach St. Joseph’s, take the paved road past the Sandy Beach Resorts 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 more information, contact sexton Bob Keller by e-mail at bob@keller.net or by text or phone at 928-706-6928.

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Andrea Rivera translates Padre Alfonso’s sermon from Spanish to English, line by line during a recent service at St. Joseph’s Chapel in La Choya.