Rawlins County Catholic Parishes

06/14/2026

Special days to celebrate at St. Mary's this week...
JUNE 11th: The United States was consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in commemoration of it's upcoming 250th birthday. This act of entrustment places our entire country under the protection, healing, and merciful love of Christ.
Immediately after the great Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the church celebrated the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The church places them side by side because their hearts are inseparably united. Together they show us the model of Holy family life. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is the fountain of infinite love, mercy, and salvation. The Immaculate Heart of Mary is the refuge of sinners and the Mother who gently leads us to her son.
JUNE 13th: Herndon celebrated one of the Community's most cherished traditions drawing thousands of visitors from near and far - the epic OXROAST, first established in 1914, and held every 5 yrs. It is a weekend of parades, races, games, and the famous communal meal consisting of 1500 #'s of chuck roast and a mix of vegetables, all cooked in a pit over a wood fire, buried 7' deep, for 24 hrs.
Father Henry, along with guest, Father Gnanasekar, held mass at a special time to accommodate the many people working around a hectic schedule. Jim Schroeder carried the flag, saluted it and led the congregation in the Pledge of Allegiance to honor the Consecration to the Sacred Heart and America's upcoming birthday, and also in honor of Flag Day. Guitar music with a selection of Patriotic songs was led by Paul Prewo of Oberlin.
We were also happy to join in the celebration of Greg and Rita Marintzer's forthcoming 50th Wedding Anniversary. Surrounded by their family, Father Henry bestowed a special blessing upon them.
JUNE 14th: Flag Day. This Day commemorates the day in 1777 when the Continental Congress officially adopted the Stars and Stripes as the national emblem.

06/10/2026

Adoration at Sacred Heart, Atwood on Thursday has been canceled because of Totus Tuus Vacation Bible School. Also, Friday morning mass at Sacred Heart will be back to 7:30 am.

06/10/2026

06/10/2026

The Purple Day at Totus Tuus VBS! The color purple carries a beautiful message of royalty, dignity, and preparation.
Together they learn, walk, play, and grow closer to God throughout the day.

06/09/2026

THE TOTUS TUUS VBS AT SACRED HEART, ATWOOD.
THE RED DAY, ARISE AND SHINE, LEARNING THE GLORIOUS MYSTERY.
We thank parishioners for their generous support and for providing the many necessities for us.

Today, Lunch is generously provided by Grayson’s Lawn Care.

06/07/2026

JUNE...In the Catholic church June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This devotion emphasizes Christ's boundless love, mercy, and compassion for humanity.
Today, June 7th, is Corpus Christi Sunday, a major Catholic Festival celebrating the belief that the bread and wine used during mass truly become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
Many parishes have a Eucharistic Procession parading the consecrated hosts through the streets. Our Procession was here in our St. Mary's church.
Server Addy Ketterl led Deacon Mark, who reverantly carried the Monstrance, while Father Henry incensed it at different intervals.
Today we also welcomed the Totus Tuus team who are here this week conducting the Vacation Bible School at Sacred Heart in Atwood. All students from both parishes are welcome to attend.
Father Henry gives a special blessing the first weekend of every month for anyone having a birthday or anniversary that month. We sang to those who are celebrating this June.

06/05/2026

https://www.baalmannmortuary.com/obituaries/victor-pochop

06/04/2026

Welcome Totus Tuus Team 2026: Grant Stephens, Savana Rumback, Jane Letourneau, and Landon Vorhies. Classes begin on Monday morning, June 8th and ends on Thursday, June 11th. Please note the schedule change. Everything that is normally done on Friday of Totus Tuus, will be moved to Thursday since we will not gather on Friday this year. This schedule change is to allow for the PRIESTLY ORDINATION for Dcn. Luke Friess and Dcn. Benjamin King that will be on Friday, June 12th at 2:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

06/01/2026

St. Mary's Trinity Sunday
THE FATHER...Creator of heaven and earth and source of all life.
THE SON...Jesus Christ who became man to redeem humanity from sin.
THE HOLY SPIRIT...
Sent to guide and strengthen the church.

We welcomed Sr. Sharon Miller who came to share about the mission and ministry of the Glenmary Sisters who are headquartered in Owensboro, Kentucky. Their primary mission is to establish a Catholic presence and provide spiritual and material aid in impoverished and rural areas of American South and Appalachia.

We also welcomed Fr. Gnanasekar Kulandi, former pastor at St. Mary's, who covered our mass today, along with Deacon Mark Vrbas.