Remembering Fr. Jesse Cortes

Reverend Father Jesse Cortes was called home to the Lord on 10 March 2025 at his family’s home in the Philippines, surrounded by family and loved ones praying with him.

Father Cortes was born in Mandaue City, Central Visayas, Cebu, Philippines on 25 April 1938, the son of Mateo Cortes and Tranquilina Suano. Father Cortes was the fourth of twelve children, eight of whom are living, including his sister Concepcion Cortes of Las Vegas. Father Cortes was ordained to the Priesthood on 21 December 1963 in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines where he served in many parishes and apostolates from 1963 until 1991.

In 1991, Father Cortes came to serve in the then Diocese of Reno - Las Vegas. He assisted in ministering at the parishes of Saint John the Evangelist, Overton and Saint John Bosco, Battle Mountain. In 1992, Father Cortes came to Las Vegas and was assigned as parochial vicar and hospital chaplain at Saint Anne Parish, where he served for 10 years. In 2002, he began hospital chaplaincy in the western Las Vegas Valley, serving seven parishes, ministering to the ill and the infirm in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities. In 2008, Father Cortes was named parochial administrator of Saint Bridget Parish, Las Vegas, where he served for 5 years. During his term at Saint Bridget, Father was incardinated into the Diocese, now Archdiocese of Las Vegas.

Father Cortes retired from active ministry in 2013 but continued to serve generously in many parishes of the Archdiocese. He was instrumental in the development of the Filipino apostolate in the Archdiocese, including devotions to the Santo Niño and Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and he offered Holy Mass in Tagalog in several local parishes.

When his health began to wane, Father Cortes returned to the Philippines where he was cared for by his loving family. Father Cortes’ cousin, Bishop Julito Cortes, of Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, celebrated Father’s Funeral Mass and burial on 20 March at the National Shrine of Saint Joseph, Mandaue City, Philippines.

The Archdiocese of Las Vegas Memorial Mass for Father Cortes will be celebrated at Saint Bridget Catholic Church this Wednesday, March 26 at 6:00 PM. Archbishop George Leo Thomas, Ph.D., Bishop Gordon and Priests of the Archdiocese will concelebrate the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Reverend Jesse Cortes may be made to Saint Anne Catholic Church or to Saint Bridget Catholic Church, parishes where Father Cortes faithfully served. Requiescat in Pace.