About Infant Jesus of Prague · Kearny, Arizona
Infant Jesus of Prague is a small Roman Catholic parish serving the Copper Basin mining town of Kearny in Pinal County, Arizona, within the Diocese of Tucson. The parish community gathers for Sunday Mass and a daily Mass schedule from its church at 501 Victoria Circle. As one of the smaller parishes in the diocese — with a religious education program of roughly 45 students — it serves the tightly-knit Kearny Catholic community alongside the historic Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish in nearby Florence. Visitors are warmly welcomed at Sunday liturgy and at the parish's beloved annual Fiesta, which draws Bishop Kicanas, local priests, mariachis, and folklorico dancers from across the region.
- Established
- 1961
- Patron
- Infant Jesus of Prague
- Rector
- Fr. George Kunnel
- Diocese
- Diocese of Tucson
Why belong here
Infant Jesus of Prague offers the full rhythm of Catholic parish life — Sunday Mass, daily Mass Tuesday through Friday, Saturday Vigil, and a Saturday confession window — to the Kearny and Copper Basin community in an intimate, family-sized setting. The parish is known for its warmly multicultural annual Fiesta, a two-day celebration with mariachis, folklorico dancing, and traditional Mexican food, and it sustains a religious education (catechesis) program for local children. For Catholics living in or passing through Kearny, it is a welcoming, hardworking, and deeply community-rooted worship home.
Mass times at Infant Jesus of Prague
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM (per Discover Mass listing)
About Infant Jesus of Prague Parish
Infant Jesus of Prague is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Tucson located at 501 Victoria Circle in Kearny, Pinal County, Arizona. It serves the Copper Basin community, including families tied to the historic mining operations around Kearny. The parish offers Sunday Mass, daily Mass Tuesday through Friday, and a Saturday Vigil, and welcomes visiting Catholics to its worship and devotional life.
- Diocese of Tucson parish (Roman-Latin Rite)
- Pinal County, Kearny, Arizona
- Address: 501 Victoria Circle, P.O. Box 459, 85137
- Phone: (520) 363-7205
History of the Parish and Church Building
The parish was formally established in 1961, but its church building has an earlier and unusual origin: it was constructed in 1953 at the nearby community of Sonora, Arizona. When the Catholic population of Sonora dispersed, the building was dismantled and relocated to Kearny in 1966, and rededicated in 1967. The parish has since been served by a series of priests from diverse backgrounds, reflecting the multicultural Copper Basin community.
- Founded 1961 as a parish of the Diocese of Tucson
- Church built 1953 at Sonora, Arizona
- Moved to Kearny in 1966
- Rededicated 1967
Parish Clergy and Leadership
Infant Jesus of Prague is led by a pastor appointed by the Bishop of Tucson. Recent pastors have included Fr. Alex Tigga, Fr. Thomas T. Dekaa (installed as pastor in October 2011 with Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas presiding at the Fiesta installation Mass), and the current pastor, Fr. George Kunnel. The 2012 Official Catholic Directory lists Fr. Thomas T. Dekaa as Administrator.
- Fr. George Kunnel — current pastor
- Fr. Thomas T. Dekaa — installed as pastor October 2011
- Fr. Alex Tigga — earlier pastor
- Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas presided at the 2011 installation
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The parish runs a Catechesis/Religious Education program for children, with approximately 45 students enrolled — a number that places it among the smaller faith-formation programs in the Diocese of Tucson. The program supports preparation for First Communion, Confirmation, and ongoing Catholic formation.
- Catechesis/Religious Education program
- Approximately 45 students enrolled
- Tel: 520-363-7428 (Faith Formation line, per 2012 directory)
Parish Fiesta and Community Life
The annual parish Fiesta, held each October, is the highlight of the parish's community calendar. It is a two-day event featuring mariachi bands (Mariachi Pasion, Mariachi Azteca del Sol, Los Changuitos Feos), folklorico dance (Folklorico Alma de Superior from Superior), Grupo Amanecer from Safford, the Copper Basin Idols, a car show, and abundant traditional Mexican food. Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas and priests from across the Diocese of Tucson have attended. The Fiesta is also an important fundraiser for the parish.
- Two-day Fiesta each October (e.g., Fri Oct 21 & Sat Oct 22, 2011)
- Mariachis: Pasion, Azteca del Sol, Los Changuitos Feos
- Folklorico Alma de Superior and Grupo Amanecer (Safford)
- Copper Basin Idols talent showcase
- Food: menudo, burros, gorditas, enchiladas
Fundraising and Outreach
Beyond the Fiesta, the parish maintains an active schedule of smaller fundraisers to support its operating budget. These include rummage sales, burro and menudo sales (red, green, bean, and chorizo & potato), gordita plates, softball tournaments organized by parishioners like Jonathan Archuleta, and booth participation in the community's fall festival and car show. These efforts reflect the working-class character of Kearny and the willingness of parishioners to volunteer their time.
- Rummage sales (e.g., July 2014)
- Burro/menudo food sales
- Softball tournament fundraiser
- Booth at the Kearny fall festival and car show (November 2016)
Visiting and Parish Office
Visitors are warmly welcomed at Infant Jesus of Prague. The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Travelers and visitors are encouraged to call the parish office at (520) 363-7205 to confirm current Mass and confession times, particularly during periods of schedule change.
- Parish office: 501 Victoria Circle, P.O. Box 459, Kearny, AZ 85137
- Phone: (520) 363-7205
- Fax: (520) 363-7179
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Located between Hartford Road and Mountain View Drive
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Alex Tiggathrough at least 2011
Listed as pastor on earlier parish communications and the churchesinusa directory page.
- Fr. Thomas T. Dekaainstalled 2011; still listed as Administrator in 2012 diocese directory
Installed as pastor during the parish Fiesta, with Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas presiding, in October 2011.
- Fr. George Kunnelcurrent
Listed as current pastor on the joinmychurch parish profile.