Parish Leadership
Bishop George Lucey, FCM
Presiding Bishop of the American National Catholic Church.
Bishop Lucey completed his seminary studies at Regis College, the Jesuit Pontifical College at the University of Toronto. He was ordained to the Presbyterate in 2005 by Bishop Robert Detlor. He holds a S.T.B and a M.Div. from Regis. He also earned a Master of Education (M.Ed.) from Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH and a Doctorate in Psychology (Psy.D.) from Graduate Theological Foundation, Mishawaka, IN. In 2008 Bishop George was consecrated to the episcopacy in the line of Charles Duarte-Costa and through the Apostolic line of Utrecht of the Bishops Harris and Carfora, at the St. Augustine Chapel of The College of Chaplains at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. by Bishops John T. Kelly, Dennis Fontbonne and Jim Balija.
The American National Catholic Church (ANCC) was founded in 2009 as a contemporary expression of Catholicism. We trace our independent lineage through Roman Catholic Bishop Carlos Duarte-Costa of Brazil. Bishop Duarte-Costa was a prophetic herald of the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. In as early as 1936, he called for the celebration of the liturgy in the vernacular while facing the people, a greater role of the laity in the liturgy including as Eucharistic ministers, and reception of the Eucharist in both bread and wine. His call for married clergy and general absolution has been realized in the ANCC.
We are absolutely committed to the implementation of the full vision of the Second Vatican Council, believing that the Council’s work and wisdom was a high water mark in the history of the Church. We are heirs of that legacy, committed to its ongoing implementation.
Presiding Bishop of the American National Catholic Church.
Bishop Lucey completed his seminary studies at Regis College, the Jesuit Pontifical College at the University of Toronto. He was ordained to the Presbyterate in 2005 by Bishop Robert Detlor. He holds a S.T.B and a M.Div. from Regis. He also earned a Master of Education (M.Ed.) from Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH and a Doctorate in Psychology (Psy.D.) from Graduate Theological Foundation, Mishawaka, IN. In 2008 Bishop George was consecrated to the episcopacy in the line of Charles Duarte-Costa and through the Apostolic line of Utrecht of the Bishops Harris and Carfora, at the St. Augustine Chapel of The College of Chaplains at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. by Bishops John T. Kelly, Dennis Fontbonne and Jim Balija.
The American National Catholic Church (ANCC) was founded in 2009 as a contemporary expression of Catholicism. We trace our independent lineage through Roman Catholic Bishop Carlos Duarte-Costa of Brazil. Bishop Duarte-Costa was a prophetic herald of the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. In as early as 1936, he called for the celebration of the liturgy in the vernacular while facing the people, a greater role of the laity in the liturgy including as Eucharistic ministers, and reception of the Eucharist in both bread and wine. His call for married clergy and general absolution has been realized in the ANCC.
We are absolutely committed to the implementation of the full vision of the Second Vatican Council, believing that the Council’s work and wisdom was a high water mark in the history of the Church. We are heirs of that legacy, committed to its ongoing implementation.
Fr. Jim Lehman, FCM Pastor and Founder
Vicar of Clergy, ANCC
Vicar General, Franciscan Community of Mercy
As a young man Fr. Jim entered the Alexian Brothers, a Roman Catholic Order dedicated to the care of the sick. After leaving the order, he continued working with those struggling emotionally and physically, getting a BA in Interpersonal Communications in 1973 and in 1975 his Master of Social Work. Both degrees were from Hunter College in New York City. At the same time his desire to serve God and His people led him to pursuing ordination as a Permanent Deacon in the Roman Catholic Church. In 1987 he was ordained by Archbishop Robert Sanchez in Santa Fe and following his ordination he completed a BA in Religious Studies from the College of Santa Fe. For a while he served at IHM Cathedral in Las Cruces but left in 1995, completing his theological education at St. Alban Theological Seminary, getting ordained to the priesthood in the Anglican tradition, and founding Holy Family Parish. He did this for he believed that church should be a place where "all were welcome." While as pastor, he continued his work as a therapist in private practice and has worked at New Mexico State University as a College Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work. To integrate these various interested in 2003 he completed his Doctorate in Psychology looking at the psychological and spiritual effects of abuse and neglect. After leaving the Roman Catholic Church, in June of 2014 he was Incardinated into the American National Catholic Church.
Vicar of Clergy, ANCC
Vicar General, Franciscan Community of Mercy
As a young man Fr. Jim entered the Alexian Brothers, a Roman Catholic Order dedicated to the care of the sick. After leaving the order, he continued working with those struggling emotionally and physically, getting a BA in Interpersonal Communications in 1973 and in 1975 his Master of Social Work. Both degrees were from Hunter College in New York City. At the same time his desire to serve God and His people led him to pursuing ordination as a Permanent Deacon in the Roman Catholic Church. In 1987 he was ordained by Archbishop Robert Sanchez in Santa Fe and following his ordination he completed a BA in Religious Studies from the College of Santa Fe. For a while he served at IHM Cathedral in Las Cruces but left in 1995, completing his theological education at St. Alban Theological Seminary, getting ordained to the priesthood in the Anglican tradition, and founding Holy Family Parish. He did this for he believed that church should be a place where "all were welcome." While as pastor, he continued his work as a therapist in private practice and has worked at New Mexico State University as a College Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work. To integrate these various interested in 2003 he completed his Doctorate in Psychology looking at the psychological and spiritual effects of abuse and neglect. After leaving the Roman Catholic Church, in June of 2014 he was Incardinated into the American National Catholic Church.
Fr. Louie Amezaga, Associate Pastor
His interest in the priesthood led him to St. Meinrad School of Theology where he completed a double masters in 1995.-MA in Catholic Life and Thought and an M Div. He was ordained to the priesthood through the Roman Catholic Church where he served until 1999. His first assignment was at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral in Las Cruces. For a number of years, he served part time at Holy Family while also teaching High School math and science. Fr. Louie has been known to the people of Holy Family since 2002 and continues to teach at a local High School. After leaving the Roman Catholic Church, he was Incardinated into the ANCC in 2015. |
Fr. Alex Urena, Associate Pastor
He was born in a small town in the state of Jalisco, Mexico called Totatiche. At the age of twelve he left his family and entered minor seminary to begin six years of studies for the Archdiocese of Guadalajara, Jalisco. He then came to the United States working in construction and at the Hotel Encanto of Las Cruces. In 2005 he joined the Diocese of Las Cruces and began college at Conception Abbey, Missouri where he acquired his BA in Philosophy. After five years of college, he went to St. Mary's seminary in Houston completing his M. Div. in theological Studies. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 30, 2015 with his first assignment as pastor at St. Albert the Great, Newman Parish. Following his ordination, he completed a Master of Clinical Mental Health and is now working in the mental health field. After leaving the Roman Catholic Church, he was incardinated into the ANCC on January 20, 2024. In September of 2024 he was accepted into the US Air Force and will be serving as a full time Chaplain. This is still his home parish. |
Fr. Rogelio Martinez, Associate Pastor
On Sunday, October 24, 2021, the Most Rev. George R. Lucey admitted by incardination Rev. Rogelio J. Martinez as a priest in the American National Catholic Church. Fr. Rogelio is a former Roman Catholic priest from the Diocese of Las Cruces, New Mexico. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2005 and entered parochial ministry as an associate priest. He completed further studies in Canon Law at St. Paul University in Ottawa, Canada where he obtained a Licentiate degree. He later served his home diocese as Judicial Vicar and as a member of the College of Consultors. Fr. Rogelio also taught Canon Law in El Paso, Texas while at the same time serving as pastor of a parish in Las Cruces. After meeting Fr. James Lehman a little over a year ago and after leaving the Roman Catholic Church, Fr. Rogelio has become increasingly active at Holy Family ANCC parish in Las Cruces. Fr. Rogelio brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the ANCC, where he has found a genuine spiritual home. |
 Fr. Tony Martinez
Fr. Tony Martinez, Associate Pastor
Fr. Tony graduated with a MDiv from the Pontifical College Josephinum and was ordained to the priesthood on May 27, 1989 by Roman Catholic Archbishop Robert Sanchez of Santa Fe, New Mexico. He served the Archdiocese in a variety of positions (Pastor, Military Chaplain, Director of the Permanent Diaconate Program, Professor at Eastern New Mexico University) up until 2004 when he left to pursue other directions in his life. He served Holy Family from 2013 to about 2015 during this time he was also working in a leadership position for Molina Health Care. He now works for the State of New Mexico living in Albuquerque, NM. If you are interested in having a Catholic Marriage performed in the Albuquerque or are preparing for the Sacrament of Baptism at Holy Family and wish to do your classes in the Albuquerque area please contact Fr. Tony below. After leaving the Roman Catholic Church, Fr. Tony was Incardinated into the ANCC in 2018. |
Parish Council
President: Jessica Lyn Robles Treasurer: Martha Morales Pastor/Secretary: Fr. Jim Lehman, FCM
Members: Kathie Davis, John Abeyta and Sylvia Lopez
Serving until Dec. 31, 2024: Martha Morales and Jessica Lyn Robles
Serving until Dec. 31, 2026: Kathie Davis and Sylvia Lopez
Finance Committee
Fr. Jim Lehman, FCM-Pastor Martha Morales, Treasurer
Charles Harster, FCM-Accounting Bill Sampson, Church Secretary
Members: Kathie Davis, John Abeyta and Sylvia Lopez
Serving until Dec. 31, 2024: Martha Morales and Jessica Lyn Robles
Serving until Dec. 31, 2026: Kathie Davis and Sylvia Lopez
Finance Committee
Fr. Jim Lehman, FCM-Pastor Martha Morales, Treasurer
Charles Harster, FCM-Accounting Bill Sampson, Church Secretary