Precious Blood

Parish History

Precious Blood was erected August 25, 1960 by Bishop Francis R. Cotton to serve Catholics on the growing west side of Owensboro, with Father George Boehmicke as founding pastor. The school opened within days of the church blessing, the first baptism and wedding followed within weeks, and Bishop Cotton himself died only twenty days after dedicating the parish.

• Aug. 25, 1960 — Bishop Cotton's decree erecting Precious Blood Parish; Father Boehmicke appointed first pastor
• Sept. 5, 1960 — Solemn blessing of Precious Blood Church
• Sept. 6, 1960 — Precious Blood School opens with 244 students; first principal Sr. Callista Langan, OSU
• Sept. 11, 1960 — First baptism: Thomas W. Mills
• Sept. 25, 1960 — Bishop Cotton dies in his sleep, 20 days after blessing the parish
• Oct. 24, 1960 — First wedding: Jake Armando Valdez and Mary Hettinger
• Jan. 28, 1961 — First convert received into the parish: Elizabeth Mae Devins
• May 14, 1961 — First First Communions: Charlene Meadows and Susan Regal
• March 10, 1961 — Most Reverend Henry J. Soenneker becomes second Bishop of Owensboro
• March 27, 1963 — Father Clarence Pettie becomes second pastor
• July 16, 1963 — Bishop Soenneker expands parish to include Sims subdivision
• May 11, 1985 — Father Terry Devine, son of the parish, is ordained
• 1983–1987 — Sr. Barbara Ann Peterson serves as first Pastoral Associate
• Nov. 14, 1988 – March 13, 2020 — Penny Blandford serves as first Parish Manager
• April 3, 2005 — Bishop John J. McRaith dedicates the newly renovated church
• June 19, 2006 – Sept. 25, 2015 — Precious Blood Day Care operates in the former school
• Feb. 10, 2010 — Bishop William F. Medley ordained fourth Bishop of Owensboro

How Precious Blood Got Its Name

Most large projects of Bishop Cotton received Marian titles — Blessed Mother, Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes — so the choice of 'Precious Blood' surprised many. According to Father Maurice Tiell, the third pastor (and a key organizer of the new parish), the name was suggested to Bishop Cotton by Pope John XXIII during an ad limina visit. The Holy Father released 'On Promoting Devotion to the Most Precious Blood' the same year the parish opened, and there was a wider movement to restore the chalice to the laity during this period — all of which fit the parish's Christ-centered patronage.

Parish Staff & Leadership

The parish is led by Father Carl McCarthy with support from a deacon, parish staff, and an extensive lay leadership structure including a Parish Council and Finance Council.

• Pastor — Rev. Carl McCarthy ([email protected])
• Deacon Jay VanHoosier — Director of OCIA
• Rose VanHoosier — Office Manager
• Ray Jones — Worship and Music
• Jennifer Danhauer — Religious Education
• Ed Sullivan — Custodial
• Eddie Millay — Maintenance
• Mary June Cecil, Michelle Clancy, Danny May — additional staff
• Parish Council Chair: Charlie Johnson; Co-Chair: Bill Mills; Secretary: Lisa Wimsatt
• Finance Council Chair: Tom Durbin (members: Christine Stanfel, Larry Abel, Danny Triplett, Robbie Baize)

Sacraments & Sacramental Preparation

Precious Blood prepares parishioners for all the sacraments — infant Baptism, First Reconciliation and First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA/RCIA). Couples must contact the pastor at least six months before a proposed wedding, and parents are asked to schedule an infant Baptism before the ceremony.

• Infant Baptism — contact parish office in advance
• Marriage — at least 6 months of preparation with the pastor
• Anointing of the Sick — monthly (last Wednesday at Mass) or by appointment
• Reconciliation — scheduled Saturday and Wednesday times, plus by appointment
• OCIA / RCIA — Monday evenings at 6:30 PM for adults inquiring into the Catholic Faith
• Annulments — contact the parish office

Religious Education & Owensboro Catholic Schools

Parish Religious Education (CCD) handles sacramental preparation and ongoing catechesis. The parish is also connected to Owensboro Catholic Schools (OCS); families can register with the Catholic Schools Office and support both the school and Precious Blood by purchasing SCRIP gift cards at the church entrances.

• Parish Religious Education — Jennifer Danhauer leads; classes for grade-school children
• Owensboro Catholic Schools registration — Catholic Schools Office (270) 686-8896
• OCS SCRIP — order forms at the church entrances raise revenue for OCS and Precious Blood

Ministries & Parish Life

Parishioners can join the Knights of Columbus or St. Vincent de Paul Society, or serve on one of six parish committees — Family Life, Faith & Education, Worship Life, Spiritual Life, Social Ministry, and the Parish Council — each chaired by lay leaders who help shape parish priorities.

• Knights of Columbus — Grand Knight Ed Sullivan
• St. Vincent de Paul Society — Jeanette Ebelhar
• Eucharistic Ministers — including those designated to clean the sacred vessels after Mass
• Family Life — Chair Andy Telli
• Faith & Education — Co-Chairs Brian & Melissa Huebel
• Worship Life — Co-Chairs Mark & Monica Augustine
• Spiritual Life — Chair Angela Mills
• Social Ministry — Chair Mike Joyce
• Parish Leadership Team — guiding body for the parish's strategic life

Visiting & Contact

The parish welcomes new families and invites visitors to register online or pick up a Household Registration Form at the church entrances. New Parishioner Registration Forms can also be sent to the Parish Office, dropped in the collection basket, or emailed to Office Manager Rose VanHoosier. Weekday and Saturday Vigil Masses are livestreamed on the parish Facebook page for those unable to attend in person.

• Parish Office — 3306 Fenmore St, Owensboro, KY 42301
• Phone — (270) 684-6888
• Fax — (270) 684-1304
• Email — [email protected]
• Livestream — parish Facebook page for weekday and Saturday Vigil Masses