Parish Fiesta in La Joya honors centuries of faith and community

Sunday, September 14, Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in La Joya invites the public to its vibrant annual fiesta—a cherished day of faith, music, food, and fundraising to support a much-needed parish hall, offices, and classrooms.

The day begins with Mass at 9 a.m., followed by music for all ages: Sangre Joven entertains from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and the Daniel Solis Band take over from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Additional festivities include a live auction, bingo, cake walk, food booths, children’s games, and a raffle.

But the fiesta is more than fun—it’s a tribute to a parish with deep roots in the region. Founded in the early 1600s, the original Our Lady of Sorrows church was scorched in 1626. However, by the 1800s the area had grown into a vital stop along the Camino Real, prompting construction of a new adobe church for settlers. Today, nearly two centuries later, that same building still serves the faithful—though its thick adobe walls now face structural vulnerabilities.

The parish, which serves approximately 450 families, includes the mother church in La Joya and five mission chapels—San José in Contreras, San Isidro in Las Nutrias, San Juan in Veguita, San Antonio in Sabinal, and San Antonio in Abeytas—bringing Christ’s message across a large and historic community.

One of these missions, San Antonio de Padua in Abeytas, was built around 1874 by the Abeytas family and has long served ranching and farming families. It underwent major restoration in the mid-2010s thanks to generous funding and volunteer efforts, including a partnering with a local recovery program that helped rebuild both church and community.

Today’s fiesta—and the Parish Hall Project it supports—continues the legacy of communal care. New facilities are needed to better host events, religious education, and fellowship among parishioners spread across La Joya and its neighboring communities.

The parish office encourages donations marked “Parish Hall Project” and expresses deep gratitude for the generosity already shown.

For event details, contact the parish office at 505-864-4461 or Danny and Sandy, at 505-864-2453.