About Holy Apostles · East Wenatchee, Washington
Holy Apostles Parish is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish serving East Wenatchee, Washington, in the Diocese of Yakima. Founded in 1962, it celebrates the Eucharist in both English and Spanish every day of the week, with three Sunday Masses (one in English, two in Spanish) and a robust sacramental and devotional life that includes daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, the Knights of Columbus, the YLI (Young Ladies Institute), a St. Vincent de Paul conference, RCIA, Confirmation and First Communion preparation, religious education in both languages, and an active youth group. The parish sits at 1315 8th Street NE in East Wenatchee and is pastored by Very Rev. Argemiro Orozco with two associate/retired priests and two permanent deacons.
- Established
- 1962
- Patron
- The Holy Apostles (the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ)
- Rector
- Very Rev. Argemiro Orozco
- Diocese
- Diocese of Yakima
Why belong here
Holy Apostles is a warm, bilingual Catholic family where Mass is offered every day in English and Spanish, with three Sunday Masses and a 6 p.m. daily Spanish Mass. The parish feeds the spiritual life of its members through Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, a Sunday prayer group, Bible study classes in both languages, and frequent access to Confession on Saturday afternoons. It is also a place of service and community: the Knights of Columbus, YLI #243 (Young Ladies Institute), a St. Vincent de Paul conference, the Holy Apostles Charities outreach, the youth group for ages 13 and up, RCIA, Confirmation and First Communion classes all give parishioners of every age and language a way to belong and to grow in faith together.
Mass times at Holy Apostles
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Adoration of the Holy Sacrament)
- Saturday 8:00 p.m. – Sunday 7:00 a.m. (monthly overnight Adoration, last Saturday of the month)
About Holy Apostles Parish
Holy Apostles Parish is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish in East Wenatchee, Washington, founded in 1962 and part of the Diocese of Yakima. The parish's stated identity is straightforward: it serves the faithful of the Wenatchee Valley in both English and Spanish, with daily Mass, weekend Masses, religious education, and a full range of parish organizations. It is pastored by Very Rev. Argemiro Orozco, with Fr. Edgar Quiroga serving as Associate Priest and Fr. Seamus Kerr as Retired Priest in Residence. Two permanent deacons — John Blackburn and Jorge Calderilla — assist at the parish, and a wider team of coordinators directs faith formation, music, youth ministry, and outreach.
- Founded 1962
- Diocese of Yakima
- Bilingual English/Spanish parish
- Pastor: Very Rev. Argemiro Orozco
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Edgar Quiroga
- Senior Priest in Residence: Rev. Seamus Kerr
- Permanent Deacons: John Blackburn and Jorge Calderilla (also Deacon Thomas Richtsmeier)
History
The Diocese of Yakima's official chronology records that Holy Apostles Parish was created in 1962 — the same year that saw the erection of Holy Redeemer Parish in Yakima, St. Peter the Apostle Seminary in Cowiche, and several other missions. The parish grew with the east Wenatchee community and, as the Spanish-speaking Catholic population in the valley expanded, became a fully bilingual community. Fr. Argemiro Orozco was assigned as pastor in April 2007 and has continued to shepherd the parish since. A St. Vincent de Paul conference at the parish was incorporated in 2007, and the parish continues to livestream daily Mass on Facebook.
- 1962 — Parish established, Diocese of Yakima
- April 2007 — Fr. Argemiro Orozco assigned as pastor
- 2007 — St. Vincent de Paul Holy Apostles East Wenatchee Conference incorporated
- Daily 6 p.m. Mass livestreamed on Facebook
Devotions and Prayer Life
Beyond Mass and the Sacraments, Holy Apostles maintains a steady devotional rhythm through the week. The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is prayed in the Chapel on Thursdays at 4:30 p.m., and Eucharistic Adoration fills the chapel on Thursdays. Tuesday evenings feature Adoration and Catechesis in the Chapel with Karlo Broussard, with the Tuesday Spanish Mass held in the main church. A Sunday Prayer Group gathers at 6:00 p.m. The 9 a.m. choir rehearses on Thursday afternoons in the church.
- Chaplet of Divine Mercy — Thursday 4:30 p.m., Chapel
- Eucharistic Adoration — Thursday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Tuesday Adoration & Catechesis — 6–7 p.m. with Karlo Broussard
- Sunday Prayer Group — 6:00 p.m.
- 9 a.m. Choir Practice — Thursday 4:30 p.m., Church
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation is offered in both English and Spanish. Claudia Ribellia serves as Director of Religious Education. The parish runs an annual First Communion catechism cycle for registered parishioner families, requiring baptismal certificates, regular Mass attendance, parent classes, and retreats. Confirmation preparation is a two-year program, with the next cycle starting September 17, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. (registration through Mike Kullman at 509-679-2705). RCIA is offered for English-speaking students 17 and older needing Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation, with classes starting September 15 in the Fr. Odea Room; registration through Martha Kullman at 509-679-2696. A separate Spanish-language children's RCIA track begins September 21. Catequesis in Spanish is coordinated by Alma Mendoza and Erika Rodriguez, with Belia Sanchez supporting families in the wider Wenatchee area.
- Director of Religious Education: Claudia Ribellia
- First Communion Classes — annual cycle
- Confirmation — two-year program, Coordinator Mike Kullman
- RCIA (English) — Coordinator Martha Kullman; ages 17+
- Catequesis (Spanish) — Coordinators Alma Mendoza & Erika Rodriguez
- Children's RCIA (ages 8+) — begins September 21
Youth and Young Adult Ministry
The parish invests heavily in young disciples. The East Wenatchee Youth Group is open to teens ages 13 and up, with the stated goal of 'growing with God while serving the community like Jesus.' The youth group meets every other Sunday with some events on Saturdays, and is organized through GroupMe or by texting (509) 423-3916. Youth Leader Mayra Navarro-Gomez coordinates the ministry. Confirmation preparation overlaps with this ministry, walking teens through a two-year journey toward the sacrament.
- Youth Group — ages 13+, every other Sunday + some Saturdays
- Youth Leader: Mayra Navarro-Gomez
- GroupMe contact / (509) 423-3916
- Confirmation preparation (two-year program)
Parish Organizations and Service
Holy Apostles is home to several active fraternal and service organizations. The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic fraternal service order for men, with the 3rd Degree meeting on the 3rd Thursday of each month and the 4th Degree on the 4th Thursday, both at 6:30 p.m. in O'Dea Hall. The YLI (Young Ladies Institute) #243 is open to any Catholic woman 14 and older, meeting the 2nd Monday of each month at 1:00 p.m. (Rosary at 12:45 p.m.) in Fr. O'Dea Hall. YLI members recite the Rosary, share a perpetual novena for members, host fundraisers for various charities, attend Mass together, observe 1st Friday Mass & Breakfast, sponsor a women's retreat, and offer scholarships to members of 12 months or more.
- Knights of Columbus — meets 3rd & 4th Thursday at 6:30 p.m., O'Dea Hall
- YLI #243 — meets 2nd Monday at 1:00 p.m., Fr. O'Dea Hall
- St. Vincent de Paul Holy Apostles East Wenatchee Conference
- Holy Apostles Charities — parish outreach
- Pro-Life Ministry — Kathy Gates
Music and Liturgy
The Music Ministry coordinates music for both English- and Spanish-language liturgies. Coordinators include Jesse Barrera, Christi Chamberlain, Belisario Pulido, and Javier Calvillo. The 9 a.m. choir rehearses on Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. in the church. The parish's bilingual Mass schedule means music is prepared for both English and Spanish communities throughout the week.
- Music Coordinators: Jesse Barrera, Christi Chamberlain, Belisario Pulido, Javier Calvillo
- 9 a.m. Choir Practice — Thursday 4:30 p.m., Church
- English and Spanish liturgy music
Bible Study and Adult Formation
Bible study is offered in both languages, with a Monday 8:00 a.m. English Bible Class and a Monday 7:00 p.m. Spanish Bible Class. The parish invites adults seeking spiritual growth, a deeper understanding of Scripture, and a supportive community to take part. The RCIA program, while focused on initiation, also functions as adult catechesis for those exploring the Catholic faith.
- English Bible Class — Monday 8:00 a.m.
- Spanish Bible Class — Monday 7:00 p.m.
- RCIA as adult formation for inquirers
Staff, Councils, and Office
Day-to-day parish life is supported by a robust team. Alejandra Gonzalez serves as Office Manager; Santiago Franco handles the Bulletin and Maintenance. Martha Kullman coordinates English RCIA; Francisco Luna coordinates Spanish RCIA; Mike Kullman coordinates Confirmation. The parish is governed by a Finance Council (President Al Piecka) and a Pastoral Council (President Mr. Lee Gale), with named council members serving in both bodies. The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed Wednesdays. An emergency number for Fr. Orozco — (509) 594-1503 — is published on the parish website.
- Office Manager: Alejandra Gonzalez
- Bulletin & Maintenance: Santiago Franco
- Finance Council President: Al Piecka
- Pastoral Council President: Mr. Lee Gale
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (closed Wednesdays)
- Emergency line for Fr. Orozco: (509) 594-1503
Visit, Contact, and Getting Involved
Parishioners and visitors can reach Holy Apostles by phone at (509) 884-5444 or by email at [email protected]. The parish is located at 1315 8th St NE, East Wenatchee, WA 98802. The official website at holy-apostles.netlify.app carries the latest schedule, ministry sign-ups, and bulletins, and the parish Facebook page livestreams the 6 p.m. weekday Mass. Those wishing to get involved can connect with any of the ministries listed on the parish site — from RCIA and Confirmation to the Knights of Columbus, YLI, the youth group, Bible studies, Music Ministry, or the parish's outreach through Holy Apostles Charities and St. Vincent de Paul.
- Phone: (509) 884-5444
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 1315 8th St NE, East Wenatchee, WA 98802
- Website: https://holy-apostles.netlify.app/
- Facebook livestream of weekday 6 p.m. Mass
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Argemiro OrozcoAssigned April 2007 – present
Current pastor, leads the bilingual English/Spanish parish community.